Sports
2022 World Cup was premeditated — Louis van Gaal
Former Netherlands head coach, Louis van Gaal has added to the conspiracy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup that emerged South American nation, Argentina as World Champions.
Following the World Cup win for the Argentina national team, a host of detractors have labeled the event as a rigged prize intended for the South American country, with many backing the claims on certain decisions that went in favor of Argentina.
Some believe it was a move intended to help 7-tiime Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi to claim the world prize.
And now, the former Netherlands national team boss lends credence to the criticism.
Louis van Gaal, who left the role shortly after the defeat to Argentina in the Quarter-final, believes that the tournament was rigged so that Messi could finally win the trophy that had always eluded him, just as Messi’s detractors had claimed.
“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 was all a premeditated game,” Louis van Gaal said in an interview with Dutch outlet, NOS.
The former Paris Saint-Germain player scored twice in the final to help Argentina lift the trophy in a final piece versus former World Champions, France.
Lionel Messi also converted his spot kick in the penalty shoot-out as Argentina won 4-2 on penalties at Lusail Stadium after a 3-3 stalemate in normal time.
Before then, the 36-year-old faced Netherlands, who were then managed by Van Gaal, in the quarter-final. Messi also scored in normal time and a spot kick to win the tie 4-3 win on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate.
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