The Qatar World Cup 2022 will be remembered as one of the most enthralling World Cup tournaments in history which saw Lionel Messi finally getting his hands on the most coveted football trophy. Many doubted Argentina’s chances to win the title after they lost to Saudi Arabia in their first match. However, Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup journey took a different turn as the magic man led his team from the front to the title.
Given how the tournament went, asserting that the Argentine team had a smooth sail to Gold will be pretty controversial. But former Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal has some tough words for Argentina’s title campaign, a take that is not shared by his captain, Virgil Van Dijk.
Louis van Gaal claims Qatar World Cup “premeditated” for Lionel Messi
In their charge towards the World Cup trophy, Argentina faced a fierce challenge against “Oranje” in the quarterfinal. Argentina triumphed on penalties after a dramatic and feisty contest, with 16 yellow cards issued throughout the game.
Van Gaal was the figure in charge of the Dutch team during their loss, and despite the outcome, the 72-year-old feels the tournament was orchestrated to guarantee victory for Messi and the Argentinian national squad.
When asked to reflect on the World Cup, Louis Van Gaal claimed that Lionel Messi’s World Cup win was premeditated.
“I don’t really want to say much about it. When you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals, and how some Argentina players overstepped the mark and were not punished, then I think it was a premeditated game,” said Van Gaal.
“I mean everything I say. That Messi become the world champion? I think so, yes,” he further added.
Virgil van Dijk disagrees with Louis van Gaal’s claim about Lionel Messi’s Qatar World Cup
Loius Van Gaal resigned after their World Cup defeat to Argentina and claimed that the competition was rigged. Despite recording 16 yellow cards between both sides, the 72-year-old believes that Argentina was not penalised when they crossed the ‘mark’.
This is a very controversial assertion, as even the captain of the Dutch team, Vigil Van Dijk, doesn’t agree with Van Gaal’s take.
When asked about his opinion on Loius Van Gaal’s comments, he firmly clarified, “I heard it (Van Gaal’s comments) this morning, indeed. And that’s actually it.”
‘It is, of course, his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion.’
Virgil van Dijk doesn't agree with Louis van Gaal's suggestion that Argentina and Messi's World Cup win was "premeditated" đź—Ł pic.twitter.com/xy3nCa4wy8
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 5, 2023
Lionel Messi’s World Cup win appears to be more like a hard-fought victory than a deliberate one, especially considering how the final match against France went down.
If Argentina’s World Cup win were premeditated, as Van Gaal claimed, they would have had a smoother sail to glory. Every match leading to Lionel Messi and Argentina’s victory was fierce, even settling on penalties, including the finals against France.
What do you think about Van Gaal’s comments? Do you think the 2022 World Cup was really rigged in Argentina’s favor? Make sure to let us know your opinions in the comments.
