Former Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal claims World Cup was fixed for Lionel Messi and Argentina to win

Former Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has sensationally claimed that the Qatar World Cup was fixed to be sure that Lionel Messi and Argentina would win.

Messi guided his nation to their first World Cup triumph since 1986 with a penalty shootout victory in opposition to France within the ultimate. The Inter Miami ahead scored twice within the ultimate earlier than changing his penalty within the shootout which Argentina gained 4-2.

En route to the ultimate, the South American nation battled previous the Netherlands, triumphing once more on penalties within the quarter-finals after a dramatic and feisty contest that noticed 16 yellow playing cards issued all through the sport.

Van Gaal was the person within the Dutch dugout for the defeat however the 72-year-old believes that the event was predetermined to be sure that Messi and the Argentinian nationwide workforce would triumph in what’s going to possible be the legendary ahead’s final World Cup.

Speaking on the Eredivisie awards to Dutch outlet NOS, Van Gaal stated: “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.

“I mean everything I say,” he continued. “That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes.”

Having come out of retirement to take cost of the aspect for a 3rd time – following the sacking of Frank de Boer – Van Gaal led his aspect out of the group earlier than establishing a conflict with Argentina following a 3-1 round-of-16 fixture in opposition to the United States.

Nahuel Molina’s first-half strike and Messi’s 73rd-minute penalty had Argentina en course for a routine victory earlier than substitute Wout Weghorst’s dramatic last-gasp brace despatched the sport to extra-time with an equaliser within the eleventh minute of harm time.

In extra-time, tempers continued to flare with right-back Denzel Dumfries ultimately proven pink earlier than the penalty shootout. Virgin van Dijk and Steven Burghuis in the end missed the primary two Dutch penalties as Argentina superior 4-3 victors.

Van Gaal left his put up following the defeat. He continues his restoration from prostate most cancers with which he was identified in 2022.

Fifa has not commented on Van Gaal’s claims.