There has been a lot of talk about everything that happened in the post-match quarter-finals between Argentina and the Netherlands. The “what are you looking at, stupid?” from Lionel Messi It has taken over social networks, has become a meme and has also earned strong criticism. But with Croatia it was another story. Respect prevailed between the two teams and it was seen in a gesture from the Croatian DT: Zlatko Dalić interrupted an interview live for say hello to the Argentinian star.

It was in the mixed zone. Messi had already given his first concepts on the playing field and was willing to talk one-on-one with TyC Sports. Up to there, everything was the same as in the previous game.

But this time, when the reporter asked the first question, the interruption wasn’t due to the “stupid”. In this case, Dalić was responsible, who didn’t care that both were already on Argentine TV, and said goodbye to Messi, one of his team’s executioners in the semifinals.

Dalić, in the previous one, had behaved very differently from what Dutchman Louis Van Gaal did. The former Barcelona DT bet on the chicane and the criticisms of the star of the national team and which, in part, generated one of Leo’s reactions after the heartbreaking victory on penalties.

In the meantime, the Croatian coach preferred to talk little about the Argentine champion and did so with respect. That greeting in the mixed area was the consequence.

The semi-final also silenced the criticism of the team, which had been described as a “bad winner” due to the charges and crosses with rivals. This time there was respect from both sides and even the Argentines ended up pampering Luka Modricthe Croatian figure.

The most emblematic image of this has been recorded by FIFA: the embrace between Angel Di María and his former Real Madrid teammate after the final match.

Dalić: “Messi has been the best player in the world for the last 15 years”

After that greeting, the Croatian coach held the official press conference and heaped praise on Messi.

“I don’t think there’s much more to say about Messi’s talent. He’s been the best player in the world for the last fifteen years. He was very dangerous today and his quality decided the match. He’s playing his best. It’s Messi who we were hoping to see”, remarked the Croatian DT.

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