Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has stated that he does not believe FIFA arranged the 2022 World Cup so that Argentina’s Lionel Messi would win.
Louis van Gaal, Van Dijk’s former national team manager, made the assertion.
Van Gaal, who coached the Netherlands at the tournament in Qatar, aroused eyebrows by stating that the event was rigged in order for Messi and Argentina to win.
Argentina won on penalties against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Van Dijk, who played in that game, was asked about it before the forthcoming international matches.
“I heard it this morning, indeed,” the Liverpool defender told newsmen when asked about Van Gaal’s allegations.
“And that’s actually it. It is, of course, his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion.”