Holland uses Charles Barkley as a source of unlikely motivation ahead of the US Last 16 clash

The motivation of the Netherlands to beat the US in their World Cup round of 16 today comes from an unlikely source: NBA legend Charles Barkley.

The US and the Netherlands are vying for a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament, with both sides successfully navigating through the group stage in Qatar.

And after America booked its place in the final stage of the competition, Barkley quickly kicked off the verbal jousting, insisting that ‘let’s open a can because I guarantee you Holland is in trouble’.

The Dutch Twitter account posted a clip that gives a preview of the game against the US on Saturday

They mocked a US one dollar bill with the face of their manager Louis van Gaal on it

Charles Barkley caused a storm earlier this week by insisting that the US would beat the Netherlands

That post went viral on Twitter and quickly spread to Europe, where the Dutch team’s quick-thinking social media team has now used it to their advantage.

They posted a video on Saturday to get fans in the mood and clipped Barkley’s words along with the message, “In Louis we trust. We have confidence in this team.’

In the video, they also manipulated a US one dollar bill to put on their own manager’s face instead, with Van Gaal replacing George Washington.

The Dutch are the favorites to beat America in the deadly showdown of the last 16, but Gregg Berhalter’s side impressed in the group stage, beating Iran in their final game after credible draws against Wales and England.

The US team, including ex-Newcastle player DeAndre Yedlin (C), celebrates after defeating Iran

The American team has performed admirably so far, but will face the Netherlands again later today

That has brought the spotlight to the USMNT across the country, with more and more fans starting to tune in to watch the World Cup.

Barkley, of course, is one of those now following the team’s progress, and in his commentary on Inside the NBA on TNT, he added, “Hey Tyler, my man No. 12. We’re all going for it.

‘I want Spain. I want Brazil. I want Germany. I want France. Oh, they got that boy [Kylian] Mbappe there in France. He’s no joke, but we’re going to beat the Netherlands.’