Former Man Utd boss claims Messi's World Cup triumph was RIGGED
Tom Weber
- Updated: 5 Sep 2023 03:59 CDT
- 3 min read
Former Manchester United and Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has claimed that the 2022 World Cup was rigged.
Despite its controversial nature, the World Cup in Qatar went down in history - rightly or wrongly - as one of the most exciting tournaments the world has seen. Lionel Messi and Argentina triumphed over Kylian Mbappe and France in a scintillating final that went right down to the wire.
Many thought that it wouldn't be possible for arguably the greatest-ever footballer to inspire his national team to a World Cup triumph in Qatar given that he had previously failed to do so when it appeared much more likely, as in 2014. But Messi did it.
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The then-35-year-old played an outstanding tournament as Argentina bested Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia and France in the knockout stages. But perhaps it was too good to be true after all?
'Messi had to win'
At least that is what Louis van Gaal claims. The 72-year-old led the Netherlands at the tournament in Qatar but his men suffered a 4-3 defeat on penalties to Messi and company at the quarter-final stage.
Speaking at the Eredivisie Awards, where he was recognised for his achievements and contribution to Dutch football, Van Gaal gave an explosive interview to NOS regarding the match against La Albiceleste.
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"I don't really want to say much about it," Van Gaal stated. "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."
When asked to clarify what exactly he was suggesting, the former Man Utd boss doubled down on his belief that the game - and the World Cup - was rigged: "I mean everything I say. That Messi had to become world champion? I think so, yes."
