Louis van Gaal has sensationally claimed that the 2022 World Cup was rigged to help Lionel Messi win the trophy.

Messi and his Argentina teammates lifted the famous trophy after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout win over France in the final last December.

On their passage to World Cup glory, the South American nation overcame Van Gaal’s Netherlands side in another tense shootout victory.

The quarter-final clash is best remembered for a number of explosive exchanges between players and management.

This included Van Gaal, who became embroiled in a war of words with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

It appears some of that bad blood may still be lingering after Van Gaal, who resigned after the defeat to Argentina, claimed the tournament was rigged to help Messi finally get his hands on the elusive trophy.

The 72-year old was quizzed on his time at the tournament during an interview at the Eredivisie awards on Monday evening and in typical fashion, Van Gaal didn’t hold back in his assessment.

“I don’t really want to say much about it,” he told Dutch outlet NOS.

“When you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals, and how some Argentina players overstepped the mark and were not punished, then I think it’s all a preconceived game.”

Van Gaal was then asked to elaborate on his comments, to which the ex-Manchester United boss replied: “I mean everything I say.

“That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes.”

But not everyone agrees with Van Gaal, more so his captain at the World Cup Virgil van Dijk.

The Liverpool defender was asked for his stance on Tuesday morning and quickly distanced himself and his teammates from the claims.

He said: “Van Gaal’s words about Messi? He can say what he wants, it’s his opinion, but I do not agree with him and I don’t share the same opinion.”

When asked again whether he and his teammates stand behind Van Gaal’s comments, he replied: “No.”

Argentina’s win over the Netherlands was one of the tournament’s stand-out games.

Nahuel Molina fired the South American’s in front before Messi increased the advantage from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.

Substitute Wout Weghorst inspired an unlikely comeback for Van Gaal’s side, scoring twice late on to force the game into extra time.

Argentina kept their cool to win in the shootout before seeing off Croatia in the semi-final and former holders France in a final for the ages.