Featured Image Credit: @nusr_et / Instagram
Topics: Argentina, Football World Cup, Lionel Messi, Qatar
Ryan Smart
Topics: Argentina, Football World Cup, Lionel Messi, Qatar
Salt Bae has vowed that he will never set foot on a World Cup pitch again after his antics after the 2022 final in Qatar.
Argentina defeated France 4-3 after extra time in what many believe to be the greatest World Cup final of all time, with Lionel Messi starring on his way to lifting the trophy for the first time.
The Argentine players then received their medals, and Messi held aloft the trophy, which is estimated to be worth around £17.7 million.
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The World Cup heroes were understandably keen to get their hands on the prestigious prize - but so too was Salt Bae, the influencer that was allowed onto the pitch to celebrate with the players.
The Turkish chef - real name Nusret Gökçe - posted a number of photos to his Instagram account which showed him having selfies with Argentina players, biting on goalkeeper Franco Armani's medal and holding the trophy.
He was initially rejected by Messi for a photo, but did eventually get one with a slightly displeased-looking Barcelona legend a few minutes later.
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His antics, particularly in holding the trophy, were criticised by many afterwards - but the chef has now opened up on the saga to reveal he didn't actually like the attention on him.
Salt Bae addresses bizarre World Cup final saga
Speaking in an interview with The Times, Salt Bae explained he didn't feel a 'stranger' on the pitch, due to the fact that he lived in Argentina and many of the players had visited his restaurant.
He added: "I can't do anything about the reason I was there, but I would never, ever step on the World Cup pitch again.
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"There were two billion people watching the World Cup... How many people are speaking about me? Five billion. The whole world.
"I didn't go on the pitch with the purpose of advertising; I just felt like it. Then it was a bit of a surprise.
"There were at least another 1,000 people on the pitch but when they show the video they make out it was just me.
"I never, ever wanted to overshadow anything. I didn't like the attention. I didn't kick anyone, steal anything."
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As far as Messi is concerned, the Turkish chef posted a 2018 video which shows the 36-year-old eating at one of his restaurants - and imitating his infamous salt-rubbing technique.
Just don't expect to see him back at the World Cup any time soon.