Virgil van Dijk has rejected the notion that FIFA manipulated the World Cup last year, despite what former manager Louis van Gaal had said.
The World Cup was manipulated so that Lionel Messi and Argentina would win, according to Van Gaal, who coached the Netherlands at the competition in Qatar.
In their quarterfinal showdown, Argentina overcame the Netherlands on penalties.
Ahead of their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, Van Dijk, who participated in that game at the World Cup, was asked for his thoughts on the subject.
While Van Dijk accepts that “everyone is allowed to have an opinion”, he doesn’t agree with his former manager. Van Gaal stepped down from his role with the Netherlands after their World Cup exit, with Ronald Koeman returning to the hot seat.
“I heard it this morning, indeed,” Van Dijk told Dutch outlet NOS when asked about Van Gaal’s allegations.
“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.”
🚨 – Van Dijk: “Van Gaal’s words about Messi? He can say what he wants, it’s his opinion, but I do not agree with him and I don’t share the same opinion.”
• So you and the squad don’t stand behind his words?
Van Dijk: “No.” pic.twitter.com/dWMz84A7I9
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 5, 2023
What Did Van Gaal Say About Messi And The World Cup?
Van Gaal made his claim while speaking at an awards ceremony the previous evening.
The former Manchester United manager suggested that refereeing decisions went against the Dutch in that quarter-final and thinks the result was “premeditated”.
Louis van Gaal has claimed that Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar was “premeditated” 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/PZJMnD8cad
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 5, 2023
Trending Stories: Man United Detect Injury In Summer Signing’s Medical, Still Go Ahead With Transfer
“I don’t really want to say much about it,” said Van Gaal. “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 all premeditated game.”
When pressed on his comments, Van Gaal added: “I mean everything I say. That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes.”
COMMENTS