‘Netherlands vs Argentina, not me vs Lionel Messi’: Virgil van Dijk

It won't be about me vs. Messi, says Van Dijk, who has insisted that the fate of the 2022 World Cup quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina will not be decided by their personal battle. Messi and the Argentinians meet on Friday in Qatar, both aiming to make the semi-finals for the first time since 2014.

Holland captain Van Dijk, arguably the best centre-back in the game right now, will face Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest forward of all time. Many believe that it is where the game is won or lost, but Van Dijk disagrees, arguing his side have not been concentrating on just stopping Messi in training. 'We are preparing to beat Argentina. We know how big a part of their success he has had over the years, but it's not about me, or the Netherlands, against Messi, it's about the Netherlands against Argentina,' stated Virgil.