The reason for the Jude Bellingham-Lionel Messi confrontation has been revealed.
At least, according to the English star’s side of it.
In the first half of Argentina’s World Cup semifinal win over England, cameras caught the two stars who don No. 10 throwing their arms up at each other and seemingly exchanging unfriendly words.
After Argentina shattered England’s title dreams Wednesday, Bellingham reporters about what the interaction was really about.
“We were discussing a foul, actually,” Bellingham said. “It was nothing bad. I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal [out of it]. But it was nothing big, really.
“I thought there was a foul earlier and he said: ‘What about the one on me?’ I said: ‘You’re strong enough to take it.’ You know what I mean?”
Bellingham continued by saying, “It was a privilege to play against [Messi]” and that the Argentine all-world player is “one of the best.”
The confrontation came a few months after Brazilian star Casemiro discussed playing against Messi in La Liga and how he purposely would be nice to the Argentine for a specific reason.
“Every time we played, I didn’t speak too much, no pushing because I did not want to make him angry,” Casemiro, now set to become Messi’s teammate with Inter Miami, said in May. “I make a tackle, and then I say ‘sorry.’ You can’t stop him, it’s impossible. Barcelona would be playing bad, and then Messi goal, three points.”
Whether an angry Messi was what turned the tide for Argentina or not, the South American side came raging back thanks to two Messi assists in a 2-1 win.
Argentina has looked like a team of destiny once again, not leading once through 70 minutes in each knockout round game, but still advancing to the World Cup Final.
The Messi-Bellingham altercation marked one of many heated incidents in the match as England and Argentina faced off for the first time since 2005.
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Bellingham found himself in a few, including one for which he could be reprimanded, according to ESPN.
While Argentina celebrated the win, Bellingham walked over to Valentín Barco and slapped him in the back of the head.
Barco appeared to enrage England by running onto the pitch and celebrating after one of their goals, despite being a substitute and not playing in the match.
It’s possible Bellingham could face a suspension for the third-place match against France on Saturday.
