What are the odds of receiving a hug at a World Cup press conference?
Nil maybe! The answer, however, is a NO, if it’s the 'serious-looking' Louis van Gaal’s press conference.
The Netherlands coach who wasn’t expecting appreciation at the press conference rewarded a young Senegal reporter with a ‘big fat hug’ after Papa Mahmoud Gueye told the Dutchman that he has been a long-time fan.
During the press con after the Netherlands beat Senegal 2-0, a Senegal reporter introduced himself and told Louis that he did not have any questions for him, and that he is just using the press conf as an opportunity to tell him, ‘how I am a fan of you, even if you (Netherlands) inflicted our (Senegal's) first defeat of the World Cup’
'It's just an opportunity to tell you I'm a fan since 3 years old, I love you!', he said.
In reply, van Gaal who otherwise is considered a grumpy figure broke into an endearing smile and appreciated the journalist. He said, ‘I can hug you. I will give you a big, fat hug later on because I think it is great that you have said this. Really, honestly, people often do not say these things to me, so I am going to give you a big, fat hug’
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