World Cup 2022 FIFA World Cup - Group C - (Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland)

[mcgarnacle]

NFL quarterbacks?

Someone like Buddy can get away with doing nothing all game then kicking 2-3 in a quarter.

Plenty of aged sporting superstars can get away with contributing less if what they do contribute is match winning.

Every offensive play goes through a QB in American Football, so not really comparable.

 

[mcgarnacle]

Messi is everything wrong with soccer. Fos is waxing lyrical about him and the basically did ONE THING and cruised for the rest (Fos own words}

Yet is worshipped and earns squillions.

Name one other field where a so called superstar can get away with that

A stand up comics bores the arse of everyone for 2 hours but tells one joke - albeit a really good one

There’s a reason soccer media spends so much time focussing on fans and their antics

Comparing a footballer to a the work of a stand-up comedian is a bit of a stretch.

Converting that one opportunity is all you need in this game. That's the difference between a forward in a big league in Europe, and one in the second tier or the A-League.

The Mexican defensive broke down for a split second, Di Maria took advantage. It left Messi with plenty of room to do what he had to do. You don't give players of his calibre opportunities like that. He's great because he'll convert more often than not.

Sure, his play isn't as athletically imposing or in your face as Mbappe, but you have to remember Mbappe is at his athletic prime. Will Mbappe be able to maintain his game at 35? I doubt it. What about Kante? The guy is a bit of crock now with a couple of hammies.

Messi is in his mid-30s. He walks around a lot, but those walks are putting him in positions to free up his own teammates. He's using his guile rather than any of his declining athletic attributes.

As viewers, we're conditioned to watch the ball. Watch the player a bit without the ball, in any sport, to actually get an appreciation for what they might do.

 

[ioppolo]

Mexico are a bit of a tease when it comes to football. One day they'll storm through to the semi finals or something, the talent and passion is there but they just miss the mark at world cups.

 

[SM]

Every offensive play goes through a QB in American Football, so not really comparable.

Most of Argentina's play went through Messi so.

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

Two very nice goals from Argentina, but they didn't look impressive at all. Mexico even less so.

Mexico are a bit of a tease when it comes to football. One day they'll storm through to the semi finals or something, the talent and passion is there but they just miss the mark at world cups.

They usually at least get into the round of 16, they likely won't even do that this time around. It doesn't help that they just don't have the quality.

 

[Aussie_boy]

Two very nice goals from Argentina, but they didn't look impressive at all. Mexico even less so.


They usually at least get into the round of 16, they likely won't even do that this time around. It doesn't help that they just don't have the quality.

The Mexicans have been knocked out in the round of 16 at the last 7 world cups, can't knock their consistency. I think they're cooked this tournament though, based on the little I've seen I'd back the Saudi's to get a result against them.

 

[apollo_creed]

That saudi penalty was an absolute joke. The contact was minimal and didnt impact him or take him to the ground, he just felt something and fell to the ground theatrically and unnaturally. Justice that the keeper saved it.

 

[peetoo]

Comparing a footballer to a the work of a stand-up comedian is a bit of a stretch.

Converting that one opportunity is all you need in this game. That's the difference between a forward in a big league in Europe, and one in the second tier or the A-League.

The Mexican defensive broke down for a split second, Di Maria took advantage. It left Messi with plenty of room to do what he had to do. You don't give players of his calibre opportunities like that. He's great because he'll convert more often than not.

Sure, his play isn't as athletically imposing or in your face as Mbappe, but you have to remember Mbappe is at his athletic prime. Will Mbappe be able to maintain his game at 35? I doubt it. What about Kante? The guy is a bit of crock now with a couple of hammies.

Messi is in his mid-30s. He walks around a lot, but those walks are putting him in positions to free up his own teammates. He's using his guile rather than any of his declining athletic attributes.

As viewers, we're conditioned to watch the ball. Watch the player a bit without the ball, in any sport, to actually get an appreciation for what they might do.

Mate, they are going as well as australia where soccer is our 5th sport

 

[Northalives]

What on earth are you on about.

Messi, at the age of 35, just won Argentina the game and kept their campaign alive.

He's worshipped and rich because he's the best to ever play and has consistently delivered heroics over his career. And here he is doing it again well past his peak.

He is spot on. The FIFA mafia advertising and marketing have made it just about impossible for anyone to say anything iffy about the goose that lays the golden eggs and made it just about impossible for coaches to drag Messi or start him on the bench - gutless mongrels.

As far as the best ever .... best ever at what, scoring goals? Very hard to argue against that but best ever player? that's ludicrous. There are players that a supreme at particular aspects of the game; Messi is a supreme goalscorer, Maldini was a superior defender but they are just two aspects of the game. The greatest PLAYER of all time must be a supreme exponent of ALL the aspects of the game, not just one or maybe two. Cruyff, Pele, Beckenbauer, Socrates, Di Stefano and a hand full of others were supreme players because the were supreme exponents of all aspects of the game, not just one or two. Maradona was from another planet and no player can be mentioned in the same breath as him.

Just enjoy watching Messi do what he does best and don't make ridiculous statements. Leave that to the FIFA mafia.

 

[SM]

He is spot on. The FIFA mafia advertising and marketing have made it just about impossible for anyone to say anything iffy about the goose that lays the golden eggs and made it just about impossible for coaches to drag Messi or start him on the bench - gutless mongrels.

As far as the best ever .... best ever at what, scoring goals? Very hard to argue against that but best ever player? that's ludicrous. There are players that a supreme at particular aspects of the game; Messi is a supreme goalscorer, Maldini was a superior defender but they are just two aspects of the game. The greatest PLAYER of all time must be a supreme exponent of ALL the aspects of the game, not just one or maybe two. Cruyff, Pele, Beckenbauer, Socrates, Di Stefano and a hand full of others were supreme players because the were supreme exponents of all aspects of the game, not just one or two. Maradona was from another planet and no player can be mentioned in the same breath as him.

Just enjoy watching Messi do what he does best and don't make ridiculous statements. Leave that to the FIFA mafia.

It has nothing to do with FIFA lol. He's Argentina's best player by a mile, he is still tearing up the CL and the domestic league and is every chance of moving back to Barcelona at the end of this season.

Messi is far more than just a goalscorer, what utter rubbish.

 

[peetoo]

He is spot on. The FIFA mafia advertising and marketing have made it just about impossible for anyone to say anything iffy about the goose that lays the golden eggs and made it just about impossible for coaches to drag Messi or start him on the bench - gutless mongrels.

As far as the best ever .... best ever at what, scoring goals? Very hard to argue against that but best ever player? that's ludicrous. There are players that a supreme at particular aspects of the game; Messi is a supreme goalscorer, Maldini was a superior defender but they are just two aspects of the game. The greatest PLAYER of all time must be a supreme exponent of ALL the aspects of the game, not just one or maybe two. Cruyff, Pele, Beckenbauer, Socrates, Di Stefano and a hand full of others were supreme players because the were supreme exponents of all aspects of the game, not just one or two. Maradona was from another planet and no player can be mentioned in the same breath as him.

Just enjoy watching Messi do what he does best and don't make ridiculous statements. Leave that to the FIFA mafia.

Brazil overcooked with Neymar in 2014? They even held his shirt up when injured how did that work out? It can’t be ‘let’s win it for xxxx’ it doesn’t work

Brazil today still has Neymar but promising youngsters too

 

[Cruyff14]

He is spot on. The FIFA mafia advertising and marketing have made it just about impossible for anyone to say anything iffy about the goose that lays the golden eggs and made it just about impossible for coaches to drag Messi or start him on the bench - gutless mongrels.

As far as the best ever .... best ever at what, scoring goals? Very hard to argue against that but best ever player? that's ludicrous. There are players that a supreme at particular aspects of the game; Messi is a supreme goalscorer, Maldini was a superior defender but they are just two aspects of the game. The greatest PLAYER of all time must be a supreme exponent of ALL the aspects of the game, not just one or maybe two. Cruyff, Pele, Beckenbauer, Socrates, Di Stefano and a hand full of others were supreme players because the were supreme exponents of all aspects of the game, not just one or two. Maradona was from another planet and no player can be mentioned in the same breath as him.

Just enjoy watching Messi do what he does best and don't make ridiculous statements. Leave that to the FIFA mafia.

Was Maradona a good defender?

 

[RPCB]

Was Maradona a good defender?

Yeah, he would have been a great defender. Video evidence of Maradona walking to his defence to help out but unfortunately the ball was passed to him.

 

[Thistle]

He is spot on. The FIFA mafia advertising and marketing have made it just about impossible for anyone to say anything iffy about the goose that lays the golden eggs and made it just about impossible for coaches to drag Messi or start him on the bench - gutless mongrels.

As far as the best ever .... best ever at what, scoring goals? Very hard to argue against that but best ever player? that's ludicrous. There are players that a supreme at particular aspects of the game; Messi is a supreme goalscorer, Maldini was a superior defender but they are just two aspects of the game. The greatest PLAYER of all time must be a supreme exponent of ALL the aspects of the game, not just one or maybe two. Cruyff, Pele, Beckenbauer, Socrates, Di Stefano and a hand full of others were supreme players because the were supreme exponents of all aspects of the game, not just one or two. Maradona was from another planet and no player can be mentioned in the same breath as him.

Just enjoy watching Messi do what he does best and don't make ridiculous statements. Leave that to the FIFA mafia.

Why the hell would any coach not start Messi lol?

Messi is pretty much as complete a player as you can get for his position. And you're not doing your argument any favours by suggesting all he does is scores a boatload of goals. You have to recognise he's a freak to do it.

Messi still delivering the goods in his last world cup campaign is any marketers wet dream. I don't understand why you think they should milk the fairytale line.

 

[Northalives]

It has nothing to do with FIFA lol. He's Argentina's best player by a mile, he is still tearing up the CL and the domestic league and is every chance of moving back to Barcelona at the end of this season.

Messi is far more than just a goalscorer, what utter rubbish.

Can he header? Can he tackle? Can he defend? Can he run hard? Can he put himself about? No, but he is a superb goalscorer but that does not make him the greatest player of all time. That's like saying that Jason Dunstal was the greatest Aussie Rules footballer of all time because when he lined up for goal from 40 meters out on a 65 degree angle and less from either side of the center, he scored 99 out of 100 times. It's like saying that because of pigsy's goalscoring prowess, that made him a better footballer than Ablett senior, than Dustin Martin, Darrell Buldock, Russell Ebert, Barrie Robran etc.

I don't want to waste my time arguing with the hypnotised. Lets just enjoy the World Cup hey? Messi an' all, hey?

 

[Northalives]

Was Maradona a good defender?

F***ing oath he was! If you weren't privileged to see him, say nothing.

 

[Northalives]

Brazil overcooked with Neymar in 2014? They even held his shirt up when injured how did that work out? It can’t be ‘let’s win it for xxxx’ it doesn’t work

Brazil today still has Neymar but promising youngsters too

That's just it. Some players stand out from the rest because of some extraordinary facet of their game and they should be praised and marvelled at but to treat them as the second coming is sickenning. FIFA mafia and marketing men turn them into money making machines and some fall for the spin and jump on the band wagon and make ludicrous statements.

 

[Northalives]

Why the hell would any coach not start Messi lol?

Messi is pretty much as complete a player as you can get for his position. And you're not doing your argument any favours by suggesting all he does is scores a boatload of goals. You have to recognise he's a freak to do it.

Messi still delivering the goods in his last world cup campaign is any marketers wet dream. I don't understand why you think they should milk the fairytale line.

because in the previous three World Cups when all the other Argentinian player were busting their ass (Mascherano actually tore his anus in 2014 for his country) Messi was a passenger! He wondered around, didn't help out his team, didn't make himself available when others had busted their guts, their ass to get the ball, he allowed opposition players 5 or 6 yards away to saunter past him carrying the ball withought him making the slightest effort to impede their progress.

 

[SM]

Can he header? Can he tackle? Can he defend? Can he run hard? Can he put himself about? No, but he is a superb goalscorer but that does not make him the greatest player of all time. That's like saying that Jason Dunstal was the greatest Aussie Rules footballer of all time because when he lined up for goal from 40 meters out on a 65 degree angle and less from either side of the center, he scored 99 out of 100 times. It's like saying that because of pigsy's goalscoring prowess, that made him a better footballer than Ablett senior, than Dustin Martin, Darrell Buldock, Russell Ebert, Barrie Robran etc.

I don't want to waste my time arguing with the hypnotised. Lets just enjoy the World Cup hey? Messi an' all, hey?

Yes go all the above.. More questions?

 

[Northalives]

Yes go all the above.. More questions?

Unfortunately, you may see soccer but you don't watch soccer. If you reckon Messi can tackle and defend, put himself about, can header then you need glasses my friend. Do you reckon Pigsy was the greatest Aussie Rules player of all time?

 

[SM]

Unfortunately, you may see soccer but you don't watch soccer. If you reckon Messi can tackle and defend, put himself about, can header then you need glasses my friend. Do you reckon Pigsy was the greatest Aussie Rules player of all time?

I said he has been able to over his career. He's now 35. If you're seriously trying to argue he's rubbish or has been rubbish then you have zero clue.

 

[Northalives]

I said he has been able to over his career. He's now 35. If you're seriously trying to argue he's rubbish or has been rubbish then you have zero clue.

No no no no no NOOOOOOOO! I am not arguing that he is rubbish! Read what I have written friend. He is absolutely magnificent at what he does, that is, score goals - just like pigsy but he is no Cruyff, no Pele and certainly no Maradona just like pigsy is not Ablett senior or Dustin Martin or Shaun Burgoyne for that matter.

 

[TubbsFarquhar]

I'm assuming Pigsy is Lockett?

 

[Northalives]

I'm assuming Pigsy is Lockett?

No. Pigsy is Jason Dunstal but the same thing can be said about Plugger - absolute champion goalkickers; top of their profession in that aspect of the game.

 

[99 Problems]

Messi has been one of the best playmakers in the world for most of his career. Insane to claim he’s just a goal scorer.