Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny is either fantastic at playing mind games on the pitch or the worst kind of person to make a bet with.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi would probably argue for the latter option.
During Wednesday’s Group C finale at the World Cup between the two nations, Szczęsny and Messi got tangled up in the box leading to a penalty review. The netminder was so certain the ref would find him innocent that he admitted to betting Messi 100 Euros the striker wouldn’t receive a penalty shot.
Szczęsny was wrong. Messi was awarded a PK. And Szczęsny is very open about the fact he won’t pay up.
PENALTY
A penalty is awarded to Argentina for this foul on Messi pic.twitter.com/HXF5E6rJNS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
“I told him I can bet him a 100 [euros] that [the referee] wasn’t going to give it. So I’ve lost a bet against Messi.” Szczęsny said after the match, per The Athletic’s Luke Brown.
“I don’t know if that’s allowed at the World Cup and I’m probably going to get banned for it but I don’t care right now. And I’m not going to pay him either! He doesn’t care about 100, come on.”
Considering Messi is worth over half a billion dollars — give or take a few tax scandals — of course he likely doesn’t care about an extra hundred bucks.
But it’s the principle of the matter. You make a bet, you pay up. And to make the matter even worse for Messi, Szczęsny — who seemed really confident beforehand — completely robbed him of a goal on the penalty kick.
MESSI'S PENALTY IS SAVED BY SZCZESNY 😱 pic.twitter.com/nfEN63uaqv
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
"It was dreadful, awful, and wonderful."
Szczęsny reacts to the wild Group C finish 🇵🇱😅 pic.twitter.com/QfRdo9LRdE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 30, 2022
So maybe one of the greatest goal scorers in soccer history was focused on Szczęsny holding out on him. Maybe he just missed. Either way, let this be a lesson to every player who gets too closer to Poland’s keeper: don’t bet with him.
Argentina won 2-0 as both teams advanced to the knockout stage.
