Louis van Gaal has claimed that last year's World Cup in Qatar was rigged in order to help Lionel Messi finally lift the trophy.
Messi, who many consider the greatest footballer of all time, led Argentina to World Cup glory in December 2022, scoring twice in the final to help his country beat France 4-2 on penalties at Lusail Stadium.
The 36-year-old forward defeated the Netherlands, then managed by Van Gaal, in the quarter-final, scoring in normal time before guiding his country to a 4-3 win on penalties.
Van Gaal, who resigned as head coach following the Netherlands' World Cup exit, believes that the tournament was rigged so that Messi could finally win the trophy that had always eluded him.
When asked to reflect on the World Cup in Qatar, he told Dutch outlet NOS: 'I don't really want to say much about it. 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 all premeditated game.'
Van Gaal was speaking at the Eredivisie Awards on Tuesday, where he was recognised for his contribution to Dutch football.
After journalists asked the 72-year-old to clarify what he meant, the former boss said: 'I mean everything I say. That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes.'
Scoring after a glorious diagonal pass from Messi, Nahuel Molina took the lead for Argentina in the quarter-final before his captain doubled their advantage from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.
Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst then inspired a dramatic comeback with two late goals, equalising in the 11th minute of added time to keep Netherlands in the tournament.
An astonishing 16 yellow cards were dished out across both teams in the quarter-final clash, before Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries was sent off deep into extra time.
Argentina escaped the tempestuous clash without a sending-off, despite eight of their players picking up bookings.
Van Gaal, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022 and underwent surgery in April last year, revealed that he went under the knife again after sharing his views on the World Cup final.
He added: 'It's still the same thing. I had another operation on August 9 and complications arose. I won't bore you with what happened. But things are looking nice now.
'I have to rest until September 19. Then we will see whether the operation has achieved its goal.
'I generally feel good. So it is not that I do not feel well, it is more that I am not fit and pant when I climb stairs. Two years ago that was not possible and now it is.'
Misdeklty
455
So FIFA added so many minutes in injury time so Netherlands can equalise. What about the penalty shootout. Did Fifa tell your players to miss their penalties. What a joke. Old man you have dementia. Messi is bigger than the whole of Netherlands.
Peaceking1234
422
Real Legends💯 respect The G.O.A.T🐐👑 and that's what matters💯💯 , The World Cup🏆 is already won 💯💪and nothing can change it💯😏
Factos
417
Let's see a history of Van Gaal with South American players 1. With Rivaldo- then Barcelona coach wanted to sell the years Balon Dor winner Rivaldo, didn't suceed.Van Gaal was sacked after 2 years. He came back 2 years later to try to sell Rivaldo, this time succeeded. 2. Riquelmé- was then signed by Barcelona after a great season in Arg. However the coach, Van Gaal, again publicly said he didn't want him, played him of position and finally kept on the bench. Riquelmé would eventually go to Villarreal where he had a great career. ( Leo celebration at WC was for Riquelmé) 3. Angel Di Maria- now at Man Utd, he again had problems with another SA player, Di Maria. Di Maria actually said he is worst coach he played under . Other examples include Rafael at Utd, others at Bayern too. Diego Forlan famously said Van Gaal doesn't like South American players. Now the WCs, he is probably the only coach to trash talk Messi pre-game. So it's not really a suprise that a coach who has a problem with South American players would see a South American team and it's players winning. Man wanted Europeans to win but Messi denied it, hence sour grapes
Peaceking1234
392
Forget Van Gaal😒💯, The G.O.A.T has won against every great at the moment there is 👇💯
A-TownYD
334
Maybe the operation has affected his brain 🧠, don’t blame the old man
Natanya
305
We know why 😅 What happened Van Gaal didn't you say they COULD NOT win if it went to penalties 👀 You equalise in the neck of time and was so confident that penalty was in your favour so what happened, did your players purposely missed? Sir tell us how much your players got to miss their penalty
Neeadenouz
207
in reality, fifa help netherland to score in last 9+11 minute