This summer's Women's World Cup was groundbreaking. 

Viewing records were smashed across the globe, as more people than ever before tuned in to watch events unfold in France. 

Ticket sales surpassed the one million milestone and there was more sponsorship around the tournament than ever before, proving that the eyes of the world were on it.

The growth of the women's game has led to calls for equal pay in the sport, with a number of top stars and even the United Nations demanding the change. 

But not everybody is on-board with closing the pay gap.

Former Dutch international Frank de Boer, who's gone on to manage teams like Ajax, Crystal Palace and now Atlanta United, believes the suggestion of equal pay is 'ridiculous'. 

"I think for me, it’s ridiculous," De Boer said, per the Guardian.

"It’s the same as tennis. If there are watching, for the World Cup final, 500 million people or something like that, and 100 million for a women’s final, that’s a difference.

"So it’s not the same. And of course they have to be paid what they deserve to [earn] and not less, just what they really deserve.

"If it’s just as popular as the men, they will get it, because the income and the advertising will go into that. But it’s not like that, so why do they have to earn the same?

"I think it’s ridiculous. I don’t understand that." 

De Boer's opinion is not one that the Dutch Football Association share. They have committed to providing equal pay for their men's and women's teams by 2023. 

That move comes after the Netherlands reached this year's World Cup final, where they lost 2-0 to the United States, who have now won back-to-back tournaments. 

The Dutch FA are certainly taking a step in the right direction, but it's one that De Boer has made very clear that he doesn't agree with.