SPORTS BRIEF
- Lionel Messi led Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
- But Louis Van Gaal has alleged the games were orchestrated for Messi
- A viral post has laid out a conspiracy theory to back Van Gaal’s claim
A widely circulated post has presented a conspiracy theory that has backed former Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal’s claim that the 2022 World Cup was orchestrated to ensure Argentina’s victory.
Van Gaal has stirred controversy with surprising allegations implicating Argentina, Lionel Messi, and the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi inspired the Albiceleste to global glory in the Middle East nation, defeating the reigning champions France in a nail-biting final match at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.
The 36-year-old scored seven goals and provided three assists, contributing significantly to his nation’s capture of the prestigious trophy, per Sportskeeda.
Van Gaal on Messi’s World Cup win
Following a defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first match at the Mundial, Messi led Argentina through a remarkable turnaround, securing victories against Poland and Mexico to earn a spot in the knockout stage.
The South American powerhouse then triumphed over the resilient Australian team in the round of 16 before defeating the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
And Van Gaal, who coached the Oranje in Qatar, has alleged that the matches were prearranged and orchestrated to allow Messi to complete a fairy tale in football.
“I don’t really want to say much about it,” Van Gaal told NOS Sport.
“If you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals and how some of Argentina’s players crossed the line and weren’t punished, then I think it’s all preconceived game.
He added: “I mean everything I say by that. That Messi had to become world champion? I think so, yes.”
Louis van Gaal: “When you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals and how some Argentine players crossed the line and were not penalized, I think it was all a premeditated game. Messi had to become world champion.”
— All Sportz 🏀⚽ (@Allsportztv) September 4, 2023
pic.twitter.com/tKRHd6nObP
Was World Cup fixed for Messi?
This narrative has been so widely circulated that a Twitter thread asserting the 2022 World Cup was ‘fixed’ has gained significant traction, amassing over 3,000 retweets and 5,000 ‘likes’ as of the time of writing.
Shared by Twitter user @laligafrauds, who prominently features Cristiano Ronaldo in their profile picture, the thread aims to support this astounding assertion through a three-fold argument: citing crucial quotes, scrutinising referee decisions, and highlighting the alleged ‘home advantage’.
Exposing the 2022 FIFA World Cup and how it was rigged for Argentina to win.
— LLF (@laligafrauds) December 24, 2022
[Thread] pic.twitter.com/NS6JH2gtXb
“Seeing Messi lift the trophy in what could be his last World Cup would be something really special for us organisers.”
— LLF (@laligafrauds) December 24, 2022
– Hasan Al Thawadi (Chairman of the 2022 FIFA World Cup LLC) pic.twitter.com/Ov9adadTvC
