Saudi Arabian defender Ali Al-Bulayhi, whose resolute defending helped his team to a stunning 2-1 shock win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar yesterday has explained what he said to Messi during a heated exchange captured on video.
Al-Bulayhi was seen slapping Messi on the back before squaring up to the PSG forward during a break in play in the Group C game between the two sides, before forcefully yelling something at the Argentina captain. The 33-year-old Al-Hilal centre-back debunked reports that the exchange was to do with who would swap shirts with Messi.
“I told him he wouldn’t win,” Al-Bulayhi said. A confused-looking Messi was seen chuckling before Al-Bulayhi was shepherded away by Messi’s Argentina teammates.
Both teams return to action on Saturday as Argentina face Mexico while Saudi Arabia will meet Poland in Group C.
GWFN
