"Before, nobody could stop Messi, but now..."

BeSoccer 2 years ago 9.2k |

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Van der Vaart thinks Messi is now stoppable. AFP

Rafael Van der Vaart spoke to 'NOS' about Argentina, who will be The Netherlands' opponents in the World Cup quarter-finals. The ex-Netherlands international and Madrid player said that whenever he had to go up against Messi, he was unstoppable, but that has changed in the last few years.

The Netherlands beat the USA 3-1 on Saturday. As for Argentina, they beat Australia 2-1. These two sides will go up against each other in the World Cup quarter-final.

Ex-player Van Der Vaart does not fear Messi too much. In the ex-Madrid player's eyes, he is not what he was.

"I played against Messi, and believe me, I was begging for my mother...", he said to 'NOS'. "At that time, he was so good that nobody could stop him. Now, you can", he added.

The Dutchman already said a year ago that the Messi's level had dropped. "I see him walking around the pitch and I think: are you not embarrassed?", he then said.

Messi will be looking to add to what has already been a good World Cup campaign for him against the Dutch side, and take his side to the semis.

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