Frenkie de Jong claims he doesn't know how to stop Lionel Messi, but insists #NED 🇳🇱 will find a way

STOP LEO 

Netherlands and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong makes honest admission about Lionel Messi, but believes Argentina captain can be stopped in World Cup quarter-final

Frenkie de Jong claims he does not know how to stop Lionel Messi, but insists the Netherlands will find a way to keep him quiet.

The Netherlands go head-to-head with Argentina on Friday in their World Cup quarter-final clash.

Barcelona midfielder De Jong played alongside the Argentinian star for two campaigns at the Camp Nou, before Messi’s shock departure to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021.

The Dutchman believes there is no secret of trying to stop the 35-year-old, with the Netherlands looking to end Messi’s dream of lifting the World Cup.

When asked if he knows how to keep Messi quiet, De Jong told ESPN: “Well, no. I know him, but I don’t know how to stop him. 

“He’s been making the difference for 15 years and there is not one way to stop him.

“Usually he would still make the difference during training too. We just have to stop him as a team. 

“We haven’t texted each other. I am not planning to. We will see each other on Friday.”

Messi has netted three goals to help Argentina reach the quarter-final stage and at 35, been one of the standout players in the tournament.

While De Jong may not have a plan of action of how to stop Messi, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal seemed to have one in mind.

“Messi is the most dangerous creative player, he is able to create a lot and to score goals himself,” he told reporters.

“But when they lose the ball he doesn’t participate much, this gives us chances.”