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Ex-Dutch Manager Louis Van Gaal’s ‘Rigged’ Claim on Lionel Messi’s World Cup Win Branded ‘Nonsensical’ & ‘Childish’

Published 09/10/2023, 9:15 AM EDT

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Louis Van Gaal has been the talk of the town lately. His remarks on Lionel Messi and the FIFA World Cup have left people stunned. Fans were shocked by his remark about calling the World Cup rigged. The former Dutch manager went as far as to say that everything was done to ensure that Messi and Argentina win the World Cup. His statement generated quite a backlash. A retired Netherlands center forward labeled Van Gaal’s statements as ‘particularly childish’ and ‘irrelevant’.

The former Ajax player claimed that there was evidence to disprove Van Gaal’s claim. He also stated that Lionel Messi had already indirectly responded to the ex-Dutch manager’s public critique about him lifting the World Cup through his performances on the pitch.

Former Dutch manager believes Lionel Messi’s World Cup win is fair and square

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Wim Kieft, a retired Dutch soccer player and also a member of the squad that won the 1988 European Cup, was embarrassed by the former Dutch manager’s comments. He did not hold back while criticizing Van Gaal terming his comments ‘nonsensical’. As per Voetbal Flitsen, Wim Kieft said, “Even if they were deliberately helped to the world title. On the basis of countless examples you can tackle Van Gaal’s nonsensical suspicions. Above all, it is a particularly childish reaction.”

Kieft further stated that Messi had perfectly responded to the former Dutch manager’s comments. He continued, “First he took the winning goal against Ecuador with a magnificent free kick and then he responded with the statement that ‘comments from people who have never been close to winning a World Cup are irrelevant’. And that’s just the way it is,” as translated by DeepL.

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Lionel Messi has always been on the quieter side, letting his performances speak for him. Virgil van Dijk, the captain of the Netherlands’ team, also didn’t agree with Louis Van Gaal. He mentioned that they share different opinions.

Van Dijk shares a different opinion

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Reporters asked Virgil van Dijk if he agreed with Louis Van Gaal’s remarks on Messi and his World Cup win. The Liverpool defender strayed away from the ex-Dutch manager’s comments and said that he shares a different opinion. Van Dijk said, “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.”

via Imago

When asked if he would stand by his former manager’s comments, he said “No”. The Liverpool captain has been in countless finals and semi-finals and would understand the high-flowing emotions, but he doesn’t sway away from them.

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The club and country captain won their qualifying match against Greece. They will now face Ireland next on the road. The 1988 Euro Cup was the nation’s last major trophy. Surely, they would be looking to end their cup drought by winning the Euro next year. What is your take on the entire Van Gaal – Messi saga? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Neil Banerjee

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One take at a time

Neil Banerjee, an adept soccer writer at EssentiallySports, embodies an unwavering passion for Chelsea Football Club, a team he has fervently supported since his childhood. With an innate ability to remain current on the latest developments in the soccer sphere, Neil possesses a distinct advantage in understanding the nuances of the sport. His profound appreciation for the tactical and analytical facets of the game underscore his belief that the true beauty of soccer lies within its intricacies of strategy.
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Edited by:

Daniel D'Cruz