Van Dijk refute Van Gaal's claim that 'World Cup is arranged'

The Dutch team gathered this morning, September 5, to prepare for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, but the issue of media concern was former coach Van Gaal's statement the night before. "The way the Argentinian players scored against the Netherlands, or the way they repeatedly exceeded the limit without being punished, shows that this tournament seems to have been arranged," the 72-year-old coach said. "I honestly say, Messi must be the World Cup champion."

Van Dijk said he heard Van Gaal's statement this morning, but disagreed. "Everybody has their own opinion, and Van Gaal has the right to speak his mind," said the Dutch captain. "However, I have the same opinion as him."

When asked about the current Dutch team's view, Van Dijk added: "We do not support Van Gaal's opinion."

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken also said the entire Dutch team discussed Van Gaal's statement this morning. "If that's what Van Gaal thinks, he has the right to share it with everyone. But I don't agree with his point of view."

Van Dijk took the first penalty shootout for the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals against Argentina, but his kick was pushed away by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Martinez then also blocked Steven Berghuis' shot, helping Argentina win 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

The above match was named "the great battle in Lusail" by the media, because referee Mateu Lahoz had to issue 18 yellow cards, breaking the record for the number of cards in a match at the World Cup finals. Mr. Lahoz was criticized for repeatedly giving too many yellow cards, but ignoring the situation where Messi intentionally used his hands to play the ball.

Van Gaal twice led the Netherlands to the World Cup finals, but both lost to Argentina in the knockout round, including the 2014 semi-finals and the 2022 quarterfinals. He and his students used psychological warfare before the match in Lusail, when he said that Messi is the weak link of Argentina. But the 36-year-old superstar scored, assisted and kicked in the first penalty shootout in this match. After scoring, Messi also ran in front of the Dutch coaching staff to provoke. In the post-match interview, he also called striker Wout Weghorst an "idiot".

Van Gaal resigned as coach of the Netherlands immediately after this match, and has not coached any other team until now. Coach Ronald Koeman returns to power, with the goal of helping the Netherlands enter the Euro 2024 finals. They are at the bottom of Group B, but are missing two matches.