Salt Bae breaks silence on World Cup final furore and makes vow ahead of next tournament

The celebrity salt sprinkler, real name Nusret Gokce, was slammed for his antics after Lionel Messi and co beat France in the final.

The Argentina players did not look best impressed with the chef as he got his hands on the trophy and tried to pose for selfies with several of the players.

Messi himself was seen getting frustrated with Salt Bae as the chef tried to drag him away for a photo.

The Turk also shared a clip in which he snatches the trophy from Cristian Romero, who was trying to have a moment with his son.

The fact he had his hands on the trophy caused controversy in itself as this is an honour reserved for select people, including players who have won it and heads of state.

Read more on Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi serenaded by hometown crowd before scoring epic hat-trick

Messi enjoys peaceful bike ride in hometown and waves to fan ahead of Inter Miami transfer

In an interview with The Times, he shared his views on the controversy.

"It was a combination of my love of Argentina and my excitement," he said.

"I love Argentina; I've lived there. I went to support them. Many of [the team] have come to the restaurant. I didn't feel a stranger. It was a special moment. I can't do anything about the reason I was there, but I would never, ever step on the World Cup pitch again.

"There were two billion people watching the World Cup… How many people are speaking about me? Five billion. The whole world."

Most read in Football

Man United transfer news LIVE: Caicedo wanted, Osimhen talks eyed, £55m Mount bid rejected

Nicolas Jackson completes medical with Chelsea to pay above release clause for striker

Mikel Arteta addresses Arsenal's pursuit of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz

Mac Allister reveals he rejected number 8 shirt at Liverpool because of Gerrard

He continued: "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."