The strong remarks by Louis Van Gaal regarding Lionel Messi and his performances during the 2022 World Cup continue to generate reactions within the sports community. The latest to speak out is former Manchester United defender and avid Cristiano Ronaldo fan, Patrice Evra, who has come to the defense of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“When you see how Argentina scores goals and how we score goals, and how certain Argentine players exceeded the limits and were not punished, then I think all of this was a premeditated match,” Louis Van Gaal said in an interview this week with the Dutch media outlet NOS. “I think everything I say. Did Messi have to become a world champion? I think so, yes,” insisted the former Netherlands national team coach, who believes that the 2022 World Cup was rigged so that Messi could finally win the elusive trophy.
His comments have circulated throughout the football world, with everyone offering their opinion. Patrice Evra, known for not often holding back in his statements about Messi, nevertheless came to the defense of the reigning world champion. In an interview with Rio Ferdinand, the Frenchman stated that overcoming the pressure and converting penalties in such a grand competition as the World Cup was no small feat.
“Messi carried Argentina. People say, ‘Oh, Messi didn’t win the World Cup because he scored 5 penalties,’ I say, ‘You go and score those penalties,'” he said. “I don’t understand what people are saying about it. You have all that pressure, and the whole country is watching you. If you miss, people will never forgive you,” he added.
Evra’s stance came as a shock to many because the former Juventus player leans toward Cristiano Ronaldo’s side in the debate over the “GOAT” and has a personal relationship with the Portuguese star.
