Prior to Argentina’s triumph in Qatar last year, the debate on whether Lionel Messi was the greatest soccer player of all time came down to a tiny margin – having never lifted the World Cup. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had won every trophy available at club level, even the Copa America on several occasions with his beloved Argentina.
Much to everyone’s delight, Messi finally won the World Cup last year as he cemented his status as the greatest of all time. However, some believe everything was set up for him to win the trophy, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Louis Van Gaal now weighing in.
Ibrahimovic weighs in on Qatar World Cup’s favourable conditions for Messi
Messi shone brightly at the last World Cup, scoring in almost every group stage game and also in knockout matches as Argentina marched on to beat France in the final to lift their first World Cup since 1986. He finished the tournament with seven goals and three assists, including a brace in the final, landing him the tournament’s Golden Boot award despite having one less goal than Kylian Mbappe, who scored eight in total.
Messi was believed to have had the World Cup given to him on a platter. Soft penalties, a lack of punishment for his teammates when they went wrong, and many other things left many to believe FIFA wanted the Argentine to win the trophy, and coincidentally, this was the only trophy the former Barcelona star needed to claim his spot as the best soccer player of all time.
A video of Zlatan Ibrahimovic speaking about the World Cup, even before the tournament’s conclusion, has been circulating on social media. In the video, Zlatan said, “I think it’s already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will win the trophy; it’s already written.”
Louis Van Gaal hints at World Cup scripting for Messi and Argentina
Nobody believes the World Cup was scripted just for Lionel Messi and Argentina than the former Netherlands coach. Argentina knocked the Dutch out in the quarterfinals, but not without a fight. Louis Van Gaal’s men scored two goals to draw the match, force it into extra time, and then to penalties. Despite some Argentina players going over the line in the match, they were not punished, which led the former Manchester United boss to believe it was all scripted to make Lionel Messi win.
“I really don’t want to say much about it,” the legendary Dutchman said. “When you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals, and how some Argentina players overstepped and were not punished, then I think it was all premeditated that Messi should become a World champion,” he boldly concluded.
Do you think the 2022 World Cup was scripted in Lionel Messi’s favor? Make sure to let us know what you think in the comments.
