Van Gaal makes bold claim over Messi’s World Cup triumph
Louis van Gaal has claimed that the 2022 FIFA World Cup was staged to help Lionel Messi lift the trophy.
The Barcelona icon led the Albiceleste to their third triumph at the Mundial last December and first in 36 years by scoring twice in the final against France and also in the penalty shootout which the South American giants won 4-2.
Messi was also instrumental in the quarter-finals when Argentina defeated Van Gaal’s Netherlands on penalties. The 72-year-old Dutch tactician resigned after the Oranje’s exit and believes the encounter was premeditated to allow Messi lift the only trophy that was missing in his illustrious career.
“I do not really want to say much about it.,” Van Gaal said.
“When you see how Argentina scored their goals and how we scored our goals, and how some Argentina players overstepped the mark and were not punished, then I think it was all a premeditated game.”
2022: A year Messi will never forget 🏆#TheBest | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/xP5muudyIR
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 16, 2023
When presses by a reporter to clarify what he meant, Van Gaal said: “I mean everything I say.”
And when asked if he meant by saying Messi was to become a world champion, the former Barcelona and Manchester United manager said: “I think so, yes.”
Messi currently plies his trade with Inter Miami in the United States. The 36-year-old has had a colossal impact on the sport in a short space of time, having a hand in 16 goals (11 goals, five assists) in 11 appearances.
He has also led the Florida outfit to victory in the Leagues Cup and final of the US Open Cup.
