Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong lamented this Friday night the elimination of the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar after the Clockwork Orange’s loss to Argentina in Doha (2-2 in the 90s and 120 minutes, 3-4 on penalties).
“I really had a feeling that this would be our World Cup. How it all went, how that match went… I was really sure that we would end up winning, but it wasn’t meant to be,” the Barcelona midfielder, where he was still a teammate of Lionel Messi, told reporters in a mixed stadium area, quoted by Voetbal International.
After meeting his friend and former teammate Lionel Messi, De Jong shrugged his shoulders at the talent that once again showed in the flea game, the seven-time Ballon d’Or. “We knew that all the danger came from him, so we always tried to have someone with him. But it is still very difficult to stop him, ”admitted the midfielder.
“We had everything under control, but Messi will always have those moments, which makes sense. He is the best player of all time,” he left a tribute to the Albicelesta star.
As for the Malapata of the Netherlands on penalties in major competitions, De Jong shook his head in dismay.
“We practiced a lot [penáltis]and we also had the support of the people. I thought that we would not even reach the penalty, that we would score again in extra time, but this did not happen. I came with the conviction to become world champion, and reaching the quarterfinals is a real disappointment, ”concluded the 25-year-old midfielder.
