Van Dijk and Noppert joined the press conference of the Dutch national team on Wednesday afternoon. The captain had to answer countless questions from the Argentine news about Lionel Messi. However, the defender found one question inappropriate.
A question came from the army to the Argentinian press about the route the Orange had to take to reach the quarterfinals. According to the man in question, a road through Senegal, Ecuador, Qatar and the United States was an easy one. Van Dijk could not agree with that. “That question, I actually find it very disrespectful of you to all those countries we played against.”
“But Argentina is, of course, a team with one of the best players of all time in the team,” Van Dijk said. The veteran received many questions about that player, Lionel Messi, but emphasized that Argentina has more qualities. “But for you it might be the reason to say they have the strongest team.”
The defender himself refused to confirm this. Van Dijk does not look forward to the confrontation with Messi and his teammates in the quarterfinals with too much awe. “We are not necessarily preparing for him, but for a tough fight. That’s where our focus lies.”
“Yes, this is new to me, you could say that. But only fun of course,” Noppert agreed when he took in the press room. It doesn’t change him. “I just have to be myself. I try that too. Fortunately, all the boys and the staff accept that. And that’s the most important thing to me. But it’s true, this is a different world for me, yes, but it won’t make me behave differently,” said the SC Heerenveen goalkeeper.
Where the press room filled up on Wednesday, the same will apply to the stadium on Friday. Then the biggest game of his career is on the menu for the tall goalkeeper. Argentina is the opponent in the quarterfinals. “I think that’s just something to look forward to. You prefer to play for as many people as possible. It looks really nice to me.”
Noppert has no fear. “Certainly not.” Tension then? “That will come when the time comes. I think that’s good too. I always say, if you’re not feeling competitive, you might as well quit. Healthy competition tension, that’s what I normally have.”
