Van Hooijdonk revels in Argentina’s ‘gang of thieves’ at the World Cup

On a bustling evening in the World Cup arena, former Feyenoord striker Pierre van Hooijdonk declares he is thoroughly enjoying the Argentine ‘gang of thieves’ as the tournament heads toward its WK-finale. The former Netherlands international, known for his time at Feyenoord, says the spectacle is a refreshing change from the usual.

Vandaag at 21:04, the broadcast captured Van Hooijdonk’s comments, where he opened with, “I can really enjoy that,” referring to the Argentijnse display at the WK. He noted that many fans consider the style ugly, yet he finds it entertaining.

“Many people think it is terribly ugly for football,” he continued, adding that such tactics are usually associated with underdog teams, but “they are not at all” in this case. “They are great players with one wizard among them, and they can generate that energy from the start,” he said.

Van Hooijdonk also observes that the Argentijnen, despite their quality, “suck and are irritating.” He argues that this paradox makes their play even more fascinating to watch.

De former Feyenoord side that won the 1993 championship with De Wolf, Fraser and Bosz, he recalls, was also a kind of “gang of thieves.” The comparison highlights how a collective spirit can produce success.

He adds that Atletico Madrid’s 2021 Spanish title win followed a similar pattern, noting that “the referee is leading, he determines how far it may go.” This underscores the influence of officiating on such aggressive styles.

De former Oranje international believes the Dutch team can learn from the Argentinians’ win‑mentaliteit. He says the Netherlands must first absorb a blow or a kick themselves before they can emulate that intensity.

He points to images from the WK of 1974, where matches against Argentina and Brazil turned into a “shoppartij,” and the 2006 Nuremberg clash with Portugal, described as a slaughter field. “We think we must play beautiful, attractive football,” he concludes, noting that such romanticism is absent in Argentina.