By Victor Kanayo
Former Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has alleged that the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was rigged to help Lionel Messi win the diadem after years of trying.
Messi, a 36-year-old forward helped Argentina eliminate the Netherlands, then managed by Van Gaal, in the quarter-final, scoring in normal time before guiding his country to a 4-3 win on penalties.
Van Gaal, who resigned as head coach following the Netherlands’ World Cup exit, believed that the tournament was rigged so that Messi could finally win the trophy that had always eluded him.
Coach’s Allegations
While speaking to Dutch outlet NOS, the former Manchester United manager said: “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 all premeditated game.
“I mean everything I say. That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes.”
Messi had led Argentina to World Cup glory in December 2022, scoring twice in the final to help his country beat France 4-2 on penalties.
Van Dijk Divergent View
Reacting to Van Gaal’s claims, Virgil van Dijk, captain of the Netherlands’ men team disagreed with his former national team coach.
“It is of course his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion,” he said.
Messi now plies his professional trade with Inter Miami at MLS, after leaving PSG last season.
