Dutch national team players disagree with L. van Gaal's opinion

2023-09-07 13:20 © AFP

On Monday, former Netherlands national team coach controversially expressed his opinion on the former World Cup quarter-final match between the Netherlands and Argentina national teams: "If you see how Argentina scored goals and how we scored, how some Argentina players crossed the line and were not punished, then you can see that it was a fixed match.

I really think so. Did Messi have to become a world champion one way or another? I think so."

"Flying Dutchmen" center-back Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Mark Flekken were quick to disagree with this opinion.

"Liverpool" defender said: "Van Gaal's words about Messi? He can say whatever he wants, that's his opinion, but I do not agree with him, my opinion differs. The team also disagrees with that."

"Representing Brentford club, M. Flekken revealed: "This morning we talked about van Gaal's comments about Messi. If that's his opinion, he can express it, but I don't agree with him."

Meanwhile, current Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman was not as categorical about the opinion of the experienced specialist.

"I wouldn't say that if I were him (Louis van Gaal). That would attract a lot of negative attention.

Even in Spain, I faced situations where I felt that referees favored 'Real' team and 'Barcelona', but you can't prove it, so it's better to say nothing," - said the former 'Barca' player and coach.