Louis van Gaal has claimed that last year’s World Cup in Qatar was rigged to help Lionel Messi finally lift the trophy for Argentina.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last December, scoring a brace against France in a memorable final.
Messi was instrumental as Argentina defeated the Netherlands on penalties in the quarterfinal.
Van Gaal claims World Cup was rigged for Messi
Van Gaal, who was in charge of the Netherlands at the tournament in Qatar has come out with strong accusations against FIFA, claiming the tournament was rigged to favour Lionel Messi.
Speaking about the World Cup, Van Gaal 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.”
After journalists probed even further, the 72-year-old said:
“I mean everything I say. That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes.”