Louis van Gaal Criticizes Messi and Argentina After World Cup Quarterfinals Clash

Louis van Gaal speaks with Cody Gakpo during the break of the match between Argentina and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar (REUTERS / Kai Pfaffenbach)

The quarterfinal clash of the Qatar 2022 World Cup between the teams of Argentina and the Netherlands ended with a scandal after the victory of Lionel Scaloni’s team on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw that was lived with intensity on the field at as a result of the crosses between the footballers and the statements prior to the meeting by Louis Van Gaal that pointed to Lionel Messi. That December 9, in Lusail, the Albiceleste’s 10 was a star and dedicated one of the goals to the veteran coach.

With the passage of time, it seems that the wound of the Dutch is still open and at the awards ceremony of the Eredivisie league in the Netherlands, in the city of Utrecht, Van Gaal once again referred to the World Cup with sharp darts against Messi and the team that won its third star in Qatar. Interviewed by NOS, the 72-year-old coach commented with a serious tone: “I really don’t want to say much about it. When you see how Argentina scored the goals, how we did them and how some Argentine players went over the line and were not penalized, I think it was all premeditated.”

The last sentence of the quote generated noise and the journalist questioned why he considered that there was a premeditated action to benefit Argentina in the World Cup, so that Messi can lift his first World Cup trophy. “I mean everything I say. That Messi should be world champion? I think so, ”said the former Barcelona coach who was awarded for his career in football.

Van Gaal reappeared before the media after the elimination with the Dutch team in the World Cup in Qatar and the controversial meeting with Argentina. In addition, the experienced coach was honored at the gala and told how he is going through a complication in his health, after the operation he underwent for prostate cancer, detected at the end of 2020 and from which he is recovering.

The cross between Messi and Van Gaal in the Qatar 2022 World Cup (REUTERS / Paul Childs)

“It is still the same. I had another operation on August 9 and complications arose. I’m not going to bore you with everything that happened. But now it looks good. I have to rest until September 19. Then we will see if the operation has achieved its objective. I feel good in general. So it’s not that I don’t feel well, it’s more that I’m out of shape and panting when I walk up the stairs. Two years ago that was not possible and now it is, ”he added without commenting further on the matter.

Recalling that preview of the Qatar 2022 quarterfinals, Van Gaal said at a press conference: “Messi doesn’t play much with the rival when (the rival) has possession of the ball. That is also where our chances are.” Thus, he indicated that the captain did not help in the defensive part. After the game, Messi was honest and acknowledged that his anger against Van Gaal was due to his previous statements: “I don’t like people talking before games. Their technician was not respectful, ”he said.

2023-09-05 00:20:02
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