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Virgil van Dijk insists the Netherlands’ World Cup quarter-final against Argentina is not “us against Messi” and admits he is “very cautious” about the quality of his rivals
- Captain Virgil van Dijk says the Netherlands are currently ‘three games away from glory’
- The first barrier for Van Dijk’s men will be to overcome Lionel Messi’s Argentina
- But the Liverpool centre-back insists they ‘don’t prepare just for him’
- Van Dijk went on to say that the strength of the Netherlands team lies in their unity.
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, matches, live action and results
Virgil van Dijk has vowed that his Dutch team will not fall into the trap of focusing solely on Lionel Messi when they face Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals.
The Dutch are ‘three games away from glory’ according to Van Dijk and are determined not to be distracted.
“He is one of the best players of all time,” he said, when asked about the threat from Messi.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has vowed that his team will not focus solely on Lionel Messi.
He has done it for so many years. He and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two outstanding players of the last two decades and I have only respect for what they have achieved.
‘But we’re not just preparing for him. We are preparing for Argentina and we know that they are successful over the years. It’s not the Dutch against Messi, it’s the Dutch against Argentina.
‘I’m not worried, but I am very cautious with what Argentina can bring. They have a fantastic team and players, so we have to be very good in all departments.”
Van Dijk rejected any comparison to Liverpool’s victory over Messi’s Barcelona in the Champions League in 2019, insisting it was totally different, and also praised Manchester City’s Argentine striker Julien Álvarez.
“Álvarez is very good,” he added. ‘Fast, with a very bright future. He came to England and he is doing well in difficult circumstances because Erling Haaland is obviously doing very well. But I hope Saturday is not so good.
Van Dijk will face Messi when the Netherlands take on Argentina in the quarter-finals of the World Cup
The Liverpool centre-back admitted that he is ‘very cautious’ with the entire Argentine team
The strength of this Dutch team lies in their unity, according to Van Dijk. “Our union is special,” he said. ‘Everyone knows their role and responsibilities.
‘It is difficult for those players who are not starters. We have 15 players wanting to start and they are not. It’s hard to be there for each other, but everyone is and that’s the key to success.
‘We are hungry and dreaming. We are in the quarterfinals and we could be three games away from glory. We want to leave everything on the pitch and get some success. This is our chance.
Argentina enjoyed great support in Qatar, but Van Dijk added: “You can change the atmosphere by playing well and scoring an early goal.”