Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has reacted to Louis van Gaal's suggestion that the 2022 FIFA World Cup was rigged to ensure Lionel Messi and Argentina won the tournament.
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In an explosive interview earlier this week, the former Dutch national team manager did not beat around the bush when asked about his feelings on the World Cup in Qatar, and particularly the Netherlands' quarter-final exit to the eventual champions.
Van Gaal said he believes the competition was contrived in order to help Messi and the Albiceleste lift the trophy, pointing to certain refereeing decisions made in the Netherlands' penalty shootout defeat in the last eight.
Liverpool's Van Dijk, who had his penalty saved by Emiliano Martinez in that game, has since made it clear he does not share the same view as his ex-manager.
"I heard it this morning, indeed," he told Dutch outlet NOS.
"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."
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Argentina would go on to beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals before conquering France on penalties in the final following a dramatic 3-3 draw.
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