“Argentina’s Players Crossed the Line” – Ex-Netherlands Boss Believes Lionel Messi’s World Cup Winning Campaign Was ‘Preconceived’

The past year was exceptionally special for Lionel Messi and Argentina as they clinched the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was nothing short of a fairytale for La Albiceleste, who managed to bring home the prestigious trophy after a 36-year drought. Throughout the tournament, they were the favorites to lift the trophy, but the ex-Netherlands boss believes their victory was ‘preconceived.’

Argentina wasn’t lacking in luck and hard work to bring the golden trophy to their homeland. However, the former coach of the Dutch national soccer team insists that their win was predetermined.

Former Netherlands coach questions Lionel Messi’s World Cup win

Ex-Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal has once again found himself in the spotlight for targeting Lionel Messi. The 72-year-old had frequently singled out La Pulga and his national teammates, particularly during the quarter-finals. Recently, the former Manchester United manager once more directed his attention towards La Pulga and his countrymen.

As stated by NOS, he said, “I don’t really want to say much about it. If you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals and how some of Argentina’s players crossed the line and weren’t punished, then I think it’s all preconceived game”, as translated by DeepL. The words came while he was attending an award show to collect an honor, thanks to the courtesy of Eredivisie CV and ESPN.

When the latter was again asked to elaborate more on his words, he concluded by making a bold claim. “I mean everything I say by that. That Messi had to become world champion? I think so, yes.” Indeed, it is quite an eyebrow-raising claim from the former Barcelona coach, who claims there was a deliberate intention to make Messi a World Champion.

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Certainly, La Albiceleste won’t be happy with his words, especially Messi. Already both Van Gaal and the skipper share an inflaming history with each other.

Lionel Messi was furious with Louis Van Gaal

Argentina and the Netherlands clashed in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. Prior to the match, during a press conference, Van Gaal revealed that he had a strategy to thwart Messi and prevent Argentina from winning. However, those words proved futile as the Netherlands ultimately lost the match in a penalty shootout. Interestingly, after scoring, Messi performed a contentious celebration in front of the Dutch coach.

In fact, following the penalty shootout victory, Messi approached Van Gaal and remarked, “You talk too much,” in response to the coach’s earlier comments made during the press conference. Furthermore, this outburst didn’t end there; after his post-match interview, Messi confronted Netherlands’ striker Wout Weghorst with the words, “What are you looking at, st**id.” However, Messi later expressed regret for his reaction.

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What are your thoughts on the Messi-Van Gaal feud? Also, let us know the Dutch manager’s claims over Argentina’s World Cup win.