Nobody should be particularly surprised about any of this given Salt Bae (real name: Nusret Gökçe) has amassed his fortune by clout-chasing and overcharging, but footage of the internet personality/celebrity chef harassing Lionel Messi for a selfie after Argentina’s victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final (Qatar) has left the internet reeling in the worst possible way nonetheless.
The man behind the meme somehow made his way to the pitch of Lusail Stadium after France was defeated 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout. Then, in an act dubbed “pathetic,” “attention-seeking,” and “the cringiest thing ever” by netizens, he grabbed the Argentinian team captain and football’s current GOAT by the arm, despite the initial snub, persistently prying him away from those who actually contributed to the historic victory before the latter eventually acquiesced to simply get it over with.
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To add Salt (Bae) to the weeping wound of indignity, the ever-tenacious Mr Gökçe was later spotted hoisting the actual 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy by the goals as if he himself had won the damn thing.
“Made no sense why you were on the pitch,” read one comment on Salt Bae’s series of Instagram posts.
“This guy needs a reality check,” read another.
“Mega Clown… we all saw the video begging Messi for a pic, you would do anything for a bit of clout.”
“The disrespect, this guy is just full of himself.”
“You shouldn’t touch the Cup. You’re not a champion.”
“Bro invited himself.”
“You were supporting France.”
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Prior to this latest incident involving Lionel Messi, backlash had been steadily building against Salt Bae due to the rate of which his high-end steakhouse restaurant franchise, Nusr-Et, has been overcharging in every corner of the globe. Recently, he incurred the wrath of the online world by bragging about a single $253,000 bill wherein the patrons spent close to $208,000 on wine alone.
For context, here are two group order receipts that went viral this past year:
- 2 x Meat Sushi – $60 ($30 each)
- 2 x Burrata – $60 ($30 each)
- 4 x #SaltBae Passion – $120 ($30 each)
- 2 x Voss Still – $20 ($10 each)
- 6 x Johnnie Walker Blue – $552 ($92 each)
- 1 x Sprite – $10
- 2 x Spaghetti – $160 ($80 each)
- 2 x French Fries – $30 ($15 each)
- 2 x Mashed Potatoes – $38 ($19 each)
- 2 x Spinach – $38 ($19 each)
- 2 x Sweet Corns – $38 ($19 each)
- 2 x 1 Lokum – $160 ($80 each)
- 2 x Istanbul Sirloin – $200 ($100 each)
- 1 x Tomahawk – $275
- 1 x Golden Tomahawk – $1,000
- 1 x Sirt for 3 – $220
- 2 x Golden Baklava – $130 ($65 each)
- 1 x Espresso – $5.95
- 1 x Tropical Green – $5.95
- 1 x Vin Dore 24K Gold de Brut – $1,500
Subtotal: $4,942.90
Tax: $395.43
Service Charge (18%): $889.72
Total Due: $6,228.05
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- 1 x Burrata – £25
- 1 x Nusret Salad – £23
- 2 x Nusret Sushi – £46 (£23 each)
- 2 x Prawn Tempura Roll – £60 (£30 each)
- 1 x Giant Tomahawk – £630
- 1 x Kafes – £200
- 1 x Onion Flower – £18
- 1 x Herb Crusted Fries – £10
- 1 x Sweet Corn – £12
- 1 x Golden Burger – £100
- 1 x Asado for two – £120
- 1 x Nusret Baklava – £44
- 4 x Double Patron Coffee – £80 (£20 each)
- 4 x Double Grey Goose – £72 (£18 each)
- 2 x Coca Cola – £18 (£9 each)
- 2 x Coca Cola Light – £18 (£9 each)
- 4 x Red Bull – £44 (£11 each)
- 1 x Virgin Mojito – £11
- 1 x Eira Still – £9
- 1 x Elvira – £18
- 1 x Nusret Godfather – £18
- 6 x Turkish Tea – £0
Subtotal: £1,576
Service Charge (15%): £236.40
Total Due: £1,812.40
Ooft.
Side note: Salt Bae has not only served Lionel Messi at one of the 22 Nusr-Et locations, but also the late Argentinian football legend and former national captain Diego Maradona in all his coked-out glory (see below). Perhaps that’s where this unwelcome air of familiarity/entitlement comes from.
