Saudi players were pumped up after Salem Al Dawsari scored the goal that stunned Argentina in their World Cup opener. So high was the rush that seconds after bagging the goal, defender Ali Al-Bulayhi went to Lionel Messi to taunt him.
Saudi defender taunts Lionel Messi
Despite Al Dawsari's goal coming in the 53rd minute and the fact there was still a lot of time in the clock ahead, Al-Bulayhi was so confident his team would secure the victory that he approached Messi, patted his back and unleashed a few words that left the Argentine player bemused.
Al-Bulayhi was so aggressive in the delivery that the ref booked him.
Repórter: "O que você disse a Messi?".
Ali Al-Bulayhi, eu disse a ele: “Você não vai ganhar.. Você não vai ganhar.” pic.twitter.com/wZ9CfroT0D— Bola notícias (@OBolanoticias) November 22, 2022
Obviously, people immediately started to wonder what Al-Bulayhi had said to Messi that deserved a yellow card.
And there was no need to wait an eternity to solve the mystery. Once the game ended, the Saudi defender spoke about the incident, revealing the content of the conversation. Or monologue, rather say.
"I told him, you will not win! You will not win."
"Gli ho detto che non avrebbe vinto"
Al-Bulayhi e la sfida vinta con Messi #ArgentinaArabiaSaudita pic.twitter.com/fMPIYgg0mF— GOAL Italia (@GoalItalia) November 22, 2022
Al-Bulayhi's performance was praised by Saudi fans. Besides the word exchange with Messi, the player led the backline in a win that will be unforgettable for the Asian nation.