Virgil van Dijk disagrees with Louis van Gaal that World Cup was rigged for Lionel Messi and Argentina

Virgil van Dijk, the esteemed captain of the Netherlands national team and Liverpool defender, has recently addressed the controversial claim made by former coach Louis van Gaal regarding the alleged rigging of the 2022 World Cup in favor of Argentina.

Louis van Gaal, who retired from professional coaching after the World Cup last year, asserted in an interview with NOS that he believed Argentina received undue favoritism in the tournament, leading to their eventual triumph. Specifically, he claimed that the World Cup was rigged in Lionel Messi’s side’s favor.

However, Virgil van Dijk promptly dismissed his former coach’s assertions, stating that he does not share the same opinion. In an interview with NOC, he addressed the matter, “I heard it 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.”

Reflecting on the tournament itself, Argentina experienced an unexpected defeat by minnows Saudi Arabia in their opening match. Nevertheless, they managed to rally and ultimately secure the coveted World Cup trophy, marking their first victory since their memorable triumph in 1986. Along their journey to the final, they faced off against the Netherlands in a captivating quarter-final match. Despite the Dutch team’s remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit, Netherlands was unable to clinch the victory in regular time and ultimately succumbed to Argentina in a penalty shootout.

It is essential to note that Lionel Messi has recently rejoined the Argentina squad and is diligently preparing for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Ecuador. The anticipation for these matches is palpable, as fans eagerly await the on-field magic that Messi consistently delivers.

In conclusion, while Louis van Gaal may harbor suspicions of foul play during the 2022 World Cup, Virgil van Dijk firmly opposes this viewpoint. As the football world eagerly looks ahead to the exciting prospect of upcoming international fixtures, the outcome of the tournament remains a testament to Argentina’s resilience and the unpredictable nature of football.