Thomas Muller Causes Stir With Lionel Messi Commen...
Thomas Muller Causes Stir With Lionel Messi Comments After World Cup Final
Thomas Muller Causes Stir With Lionel Messi Comments After World Cup Final
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
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Thomas Muller has caused a stir with comments about Lionel Messi after Argentina were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final.
In the eyes of many, Argentina rode their luck on the way to the World Cup final. They cruised through the group stage but then scraped through the knockout rounds.
They needed extra-time to beat Cape Verde in the last 32, scored three late goals to overcome Egypt in the last 16, needed extra-time to defeat Switzerland in the quarter-finals and then scored two late goals to beat England in the semi-finals.
Breel Embolo was shown a controversial red card in their quarter-final tie, while some were left angered by decisions that went Argentina’s way in their comeback win vs England.
Thomas Muller’s Lionel Messi Comments Cause a Stir
Muller has now added fuel to the fire by hinting that Messi’s presence on the pitch can sometimes influence referees’ decisions.
The 36-year-old brought up Germany’s quarter-final tie against Argentina at the 2010 World Cup. Germany won the game 4-0.
During the match, Muller was shown a yellow card after the ball struck his hand. The yellow meant he was suspended for Germany’s semi-final clash against Spain. Muller has suggested that he was only given a yellow card to help Messi and Argentina.
He said: “We were already leading against Argentina, and Lionel Messi was standing right next to me. The ball bounced off the ground and then struck my hand, which was in this position (next to his body).
“The referee immediately showed me a yellow card, and I think the reason is simply that Messi was standing beside me. I felt that Messi looked at him as if to say, we’re behind (1-0), please help us a little.”
Muller’s comments are going viral on social media. A clip showing the moment he was referring to has also emerged.
Thomas Muller Switched Allegiance From Ronaldo to Messi
Lionel Messi looks dejected via REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Despite his recent comments, Muller has huge respect for Messi and recently revealed he now thinks he is greater than Cristiano Ronaldo.
After Messi’s two goals against Austria in the group stage, Muller said, per Marca: “In the past – during the first ten years of both their careers – I was Team Cristiano, because I found his ambition, work ethic, and obsession with success to be the most impressive aspects.
“But now I am Team Messi… he brings more magic and beauty to the game. He combines efficiency with something more; he is a genius in every sense of the word. When the ball is at his feet, something special always happens.”
Muller now plays for Vancouver Whitecaps and played against Messi and Inter Miami in the MLS Cup Final last year.
