Keeper loses bet with Messi

DURING a break in Argentina’s group match against Poland a few days ago, Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny placed a bet with Lionel Messi, Argentina’s seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

During the first half of their match, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie, a police inspector in Rotterdam in his day job, blew up Szczesny, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, for an infringement after an aerial duel with Messi in Poland’s goalmouth.

Makkelie considered the infringement serious enough to warrant a penalty, but he decided to consult the video assistant referee on the pitch-side screen.

While Makkelie was replaying the goalmouth scene, Szczesny engaged Messi in a chat and said to him: “I bet you the ref won’t award you (Argentina) a penalty.”

As it turned out, the ref did and Messi, Argentina’s captain, decided to take the spot-kick.

Messi missed the penalty and Szczesny became an instant hit around the football world. It was his second penalty save at the Qatar World Cup.

In Poland’s previous match, the star Juventus goalkeeper saved Salem Al Dawsari’s penalty for Saudi Arabia.

After the match, Szczesny shared his story with the media, but he feared his wager with Messi could land him in hot water with football authorities.

The global guardian of the game, Fifa, forbids players from participating in any football-related betting.

Players found guilty of breaking the rules can be fined 100 000 Swiss francs (about R1.8 million) or banned from football for a maximum of three years.

“No, I didn’t think the referee would give a penalty,” said Szczesny, who has always had a penchant for saving penalties.

“We spoke before the penalty, and I told him I can bet him €100 that he (the ref) wasn’t going to give it. So, I lost a bet against Messi. I don’t know if that’s allowed at the World Cup. I’m probably going to be banned for it.

“I don’t care right now. I’m not going to pay him either. He doesn’t care about €100, come on.

“I was fortunate twice in this competition. It’s a great moment in the career of a player. The World Cup is the maximum and this is special.

“There’s a bit of work that goes into it too, but in order to save a Messi penalty, you need some luck as well.”

Argentina went on to win the match 2-0 and qualified for the round of 16, along with Poland.

Argentina will play Australia today, and Poland will play France tomorrow. |