Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has played down reports that he and Schalke striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar are still at war after an altercation whilst on international duty.
Both players were involved in an altercation as Netherlands came from behind to beat Kazakhstan in their last Euro 2016 outing, but Van Persie has played down reports that the argument is still lingering.
“Klaas and I spoke widely about it. We’re both winners and have a lot of respect for each other as football players.
“I do understand that a moment like that drives the whole discussion. It is showed widely to the audience and people have a opinion about it. Maybe we had to deal with something like that a bit smarter. But it happened in the heat of the moment.”
Netherlands host Mexico in a friendly on November 12 before facing Latvia four days later and Van Persie believes his side will react to their poor form.
“The players must do it,” he said. “That’s really how I feel about it. The coach tells us things, but we’ve lost from Iceland.
“I had a lot of contact with the boys over the last weeks, we all have the same feeling. Everyone is convinced that it has to be different and better.”