Jack van Gelder admits his love for Messi turns to frustration

At 08:11 this morning, Dutch radio host Jack van Gelder told Radio 538 that his admiration for Argentina’s 39‑year‑old star Lionel Messi has soured, accusing the forward of receiving repeated referee assistance during the World Cup ahead of the England‑Argentina semi‑final (England 1‑2 Argentina). "I have confronted myself these past days: I am a huge fan of Messi, but I have started to hate him a bit," Van Gelder said on Radio 538. He clarified that his irritation is not caused by Messi’s behaviour, but by the perception that officials keep “the hand over his head,” shielding the Argentine star.

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Van Gelder then turned his praise to several English players, naming Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Elliot Anderson as standout talents. He highlighted that Manchester City paid 135 million euros to acquire midfielder Elliot Anderson, calling him a “fantastic footballer.”

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"I always stress that if your midfield is well‑balanced, any team can function," Van Gelder added, emphasizing the importance of central midfield stability.