The renowned Dutch soccer coach Louis van Gaal recently caused a stir when he sensationally asserted that Lionel Messi and Argentina, the tournament’s eventual winners, were the beneficiaries of the 2022 World Cup rigor. However, the claims did end up triggering some of the soccer personalities around the world. One of them is the World Cup winner for Argentina, Angel di Maria.
Following his response to Louis van Gaal’s remarks, Angel di Maria recently grabbed headlines. The renowned humorist used just one laughing emoji to reply to ESPN Argentina’s post regarding van Gaal’s accusations.
Ángel Di María on ESPN Argentina’s post 📲🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/tiJ54galMg
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) September 5, 2023
In particular, Louis van Gaal cited their quarterfinal match against the Dutch, which concluded in a dramatic penalty shootout after a game filled with 16 yellow cards and a red card, as an example of an incident that transpired during the tournament.
As soon as Angel di Maria posted his response, Twitter erupted with reactions from soccer fans around the world. One fan tweeted, “Cooked those frauds.”
Did he really hate him that much?
— Humour Verse (@HumourVerse) September 5, 2023
Another fan brought up the history between Di Maria and van Gaal during their time at Manchester United, asking, “Did he really hate him that much?” This comment referred to the turbulent period Di Maria endured at the English club under van Gaal’s management, characterized by inconsistency and eventually resulting in his departure.
Virgil van Dijk issues a powerful statement in response to Louis van Gaal’s allegations
After former Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal made shocking accusations that the 2022 FIFA World Cup was rigged in favor of Lionel Messi and Argentina, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has emerged as a vocal critic of the claims.
van Gaal stated in an interview with 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 was a premeditated game.”
Louis van Gaal has claimed that Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar was “premeditated” 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/PZJMnD8cad
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 5, 2023
In the midst of this controversy, Virgil van Dijk did not shy away from sharing his perspective on the matter. “Van Gaal’s opinion about Messi? He can say whatever he wants; it’s his opinion, but I do not agree with him, and I don’t share the same opinion,” van Dijk stated assertively.
🚨 – Van Dijk: “Van Gaal’s words about Messi? He can say what he wants, it’s his opinion, but I do not agree with him and I don’t share the same opinion.”
• So you and the squad don’t stand behind his words?
Van Dijk: “No.” pic.twitter.com/dWMz84A7I9
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 5, 2023
The Netherlands played Argentina in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, which went down to spot kicks. However, the Netherlands’ captain, van Dijk, missed a critical penalty, and the Dutch were left in agony as they were eliminated from the World Cup.
It was Louis van Gaal’s last game as in charge of the Netherlands manager, and he decided to step down from the role soon after the game.
