Stupid Batshuayi hit post for extra followers, jokes Mertens
Batshuayi went viral after an attempted goal celebration during the 1-0 World Cup defeat of England went wrong, the striker smashing the ball against the post and not able to duck away in time when it rebounded into his face.
"Ahahha I knew I would be f***** the minute I come to my mentions. Why am I so stupid bro. S*** hurts," Batshuayi wrote on Twitter, going on to share a clip of the bizarre moment.
"Fortnite celebrations [are] so overrated bro I had to create something new."
And Batshuayi's Belgium colleagues do not have much sympathy for their luckless team-mate.
"He [Batshuayi] is a bit of a stupid guy, we like to joke with him," Mertens told a news conference.
"I think he is very funny on social media and everything and I don't know if he did it for extra followers or something.
"But it was really funny."
Guys it's all good between them pic.twitter.com/1fLdTTc1eE — Axel Witsel (@axelwitsel28) June 28, 2018
Adnan Januzaj's goal - his first for Belgium - ensured his side set up a last-16 tie with Japan, although Batshuayi's celebration overshadowed him.
"I think he [Batshuayi] wanted to score also!" The former Manchester United winger said.
"But unfortunately for him he hit the post, but then he scored a header which was nice.
"But yeah, it was a funny celebration to see."
The second just before I knew I f*cked up #InternetUndefeated pic.twitter.com/wAf5Wt6QvK — Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) June 28, 2018