2022 World Cup.

Swango1980 said:
I'd like to see Argentina win the World Cup. Despite being in the Ronaldo camp in the ever so tiring Ronaldo versus Messi debate, I don't care enough to want one player to constantly fail and the other to succeed, simply as I can take pleasure in using it as "evidence" my opinion is correct. I don't think it is a debate that can ever be won, as we all look for different attributes in players, and certain players fit better into certain teams.

But, Messi has been an unbelievable player. At 35, he won't have the pace he had a decade ago, but it has been said already, he is at the centre of the game for Argentina. He has been excellent, and he can still pull the strings, make things happen. I don't care if the Messi fans will go into overdrive if Messi wins the World Cup (prompting a strong defence from the Ronaldo fans). I simply think it would be nice to see him lift the World Cup, given the career he has had.

On another note, I was sad a few times watching last nights match, thinking "what could have been" had England beaten France. One day, I hope England go into a tournament where the players, manager and fans actually believe they can win the World Cup, rather than just think and hope they can. With the success of the Premier League, I'd like to think England can produce top quality youngsters in the future years, and so can go into tournaments with stronger sides that might have been the case in the past. Perhaps managing to get over the line just one time, will embed a winning mentality that doesn't seem to quite exist at present?
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I think the players and fans think we can win it.
But we need a pep or Klopp that think attacking football.

France for me with Konate getting a medal.
 
rudebhoy said:
Rumours going round that Benzama is fit and is in the frame to play on Sunday. Can't see it myself, but you never know.
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Surely, surely not. Tell them to look back in history at examples of England taking 'just returned from injury ' players and see how well they turned out.

Perhaps on the bench, last 15 minutes if they are losing, but a massive gamble if they do it.
 
Aztecs27 said:
I love Messi and the man is on another planet - but cannot stand the rest of the Argies.

I also can't stand France.

So hopefully they both lose.
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The people that think Messi is on another planet should be on another planet themselves.
He’s been ok but done nothing extraordinary.
Beat a player the other night and set up a goal and he’s a genius,ridiculous.
 
pokerjoke said:
The people that think Messi is on another planet should be on another planet themselves.
He’s been ok but done nothing extraordinary.
Beat a player the other night and set up a goal and he’s a genius,ridiculous.
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Lots of players can beat a player, but Messi seems to do it consistently. More importantly, he seems to barely ever lose possession of the ball. Many players who can beat a player, and show great moments of skill, can also lose the ball a heck of a lot as well. That's what probably sets him apart from most others, even at 35.

Maybe "on another planet" is getting carried away. But, I doubt few other players get spectators on their feet like Messi does, as there is an expectation he will do something good. Even more so than Mbappe I think. Mbappe can go on mega quick bursts, and it was some decent skill from him for their second goal last night, even if the assist was lucky. But, he has featured very little for most parts of the last few games, been a fringe player. Messi seems to always be pivotal to everything Argentina do.
 
pokerjoke said:
The people that think Messi is on another planet should be on another planet themselves.
He’s been ok but done nothing extraordinary.
Beat a player the other night and set up a goal and he’s a genius,ridiculous.
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Not just at this World Cup - his career as a whole. I've never seen anyone influence a team as much as he has done. As has been mentioned - he barely loses possession when taking on multiple players and sees things other players don't see.

We're privileged to have lived through the prime of Messi, Cristiano and Ronaldo.
 
Golfmmad said:
It still wouldn't matter to Best, he'd still run rings round them. ?
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:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: No he wouldn't. The way he played he'd be hopelessley out of his depth today.

It's hard to compare, because maybe if was playing in today's generation he would be super fit and dedicated.
 
pokerjoke said:
Beat a player the other night and set up a goal and he’s a genius,ridiculous.
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You are obviously referring to my comment at the time.

What was genius in my opinion is, that it was clear from the moment he got the ball, that he knew exactly where he wanted to end up to get the ball across to a striker who wasnt there yet and he knew exactly how he was going to befuddle the defender and the defender was utterly powerless to prevent him from doing exactly what he wanted.

We can argue about the use of the word "genius" until we are blue in the face....I'm a glass half full man...even when its nearly empty...so I tend to view such things in a more positive light than others and my use of language sometimes reflects that.
 
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Swinglowandslow said:
And you say I don’t understand football?
?????????
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The game has moved on so far. The rewards are so high that the pool of talent available is immense.

A modern day full back like Kyle Walker would have Best in his pocket, because he would have the pace to recover if he was turned.

I just want to add, I've seen the famous clips and I have so much admiration for George Best. Before my time, but I love the way he decided that he didn't have to be squeaky clean. He was an entertainer and entitled to live a rock n roll lifestyle.
 
sunshine said:
A modern day full back like Kyle Walker would have Best in his pocket, because he would have the pace to recover if he was turned.
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Sorry but you are so so wrong. Best was very quick and had (probably) at least equal skills to that of Messi. The best and hardest defenders tried to stop him with tackles that would get them red carded today, and to top it, his finishing was exquisite often on swamps of pitches.

You had to be there, TV doesn't do him justice!
 
sunshine said:
:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: No he wouldn't. The way he played he'd be hopelessley out of his depth today.

It's hard to compare, because maybe if was playing in today's generation he would be super fit and dedicated.
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You're avin a laugh surely!
Completely disagree with your first paragraph.

Anyway, I'm bored with all the comparisons. I know what I saw then and what I see today.
Best had everything, left foot, right foot, heading ability, terrific balance and speed. Look at you tube clips and see him riding tackle after tackle and still remained on his feet.
And finally, all those commentators, especially Martin Keown, that say, "He drew the foul". Best never ever did as he always stayed on his feet.
 
It’s impossible to judge across such a huge timeframe

Game has moved on - it’s massively different - pace wise and fitness wise

Players will always show high levels of skill in all eras

Best was great in his era

Just like many others were great in their era
 
Liverpoolphil said:
It’s impossible to judge across such a huge timeframe

Game has moved on - it’s massively different - pace wise and fitness wise

Players will always show high levels of skill in all eras

Best was great in his era

Just like many others were great in their era
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I've just googled George Best and watched 10 of his best goals. As I was thinking maybe I'm giving him too much credit.
But all I can say is just watch it, speed, skill, balance, he had absolutely everything and boy was he quick.
So, no, I wasn't giving him too much credit. ?
 
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