Thread to discuss the football itself.
This is not a thread to discuss the hosting of the competition in Quatar.
You can discuss the hosting in the relevant thread.
Look at the hassle Santos got just for benching Ronaldo.
If the next manager doesn't even pick him for the squad, it'll be all they're asked about. Until Ronaldo retires, his shadow is going to hang over whoever the manager is.
It's up to Ronaldo to handle his ego and decide if he wants to bow out gracefully. The last few months, both for club and country, are really denting his legacy as a professional.
Portugal can avoid the sideshow, simply don't pick the fading star any more.
Simple.
I don't blame Santos for quitting Portugal. The Ronaldo hysteria became too much and Ronaldo's missus riling up her followers after the Morocco game was just pathetic.
Hopefully, Ronaldo will retire and the new manager won't have to worry about the sideshow. Ronaldo is becoming too much of a distraction and most managers should have the sense to avoid him at this stage.
The Athletic had an article on Wednesday saying Griezman was the most important player for France this tournament.
So if the argie team is bang average, is there a comparison to 1986? When their one star player drags an average team to winning the WC?
It's all marketing. The BBC, rte, everyone is chatting about Mbappe. I have yet to see any article telling the truth, that Griezmann has been Frances best player in the tournament.
But griezmann doesn't sell. He ain't on the cover of Fifa23.
I am not sure about that, there are plenty of older international teams (that are not Ireland) from various continents that I would be able to rattle off a good chunk of their players. Everyone remembers certain teams from certain eras.
Must be tough for xenophobic Daily Mail readers to choose between France and Argentina.
I see the English press well Daily Fail are trying to stir up the Argentina hate before the final
I don’t 100% agree France is getting by on individual brilliance. They play the way the coach tells them to play. It is never fancy football but looks efficient as it is the third final in the last 4 international tournaments (not counting nation’s league or whatever it is called).
I doubt it.
That is a geographical reaction. If you ask a Brazilian to name the Argentinian 11 they’d do better than if naming the French 11
The World Cup is a harsh metric for judging individuals seeing as a large part of it comes down to being lucky enough to be born in a country that has a lot of other great footballers as well.
I would like Messi to get a WC he gets slated so much for never having 'done it' for his national team. If he does it will be very impressive as this Argentina team are no great shakes. Messi will have basically carried them like Maradona did in 1986.
France have a great team and if Mbappe did win the WC it would be not half as impressive as if Argentina won it.
In five years time (without an internet search) how many people would rattle off players from Argentina or the France team? French team will be recalled much easier.
I agree not because he is not a great player. But he has not done it consistently has he dragged PSG to a CL yet? And he has not been around very long yet in any case. A bit premature to be calling him the greatest ever. Personally I think Haaland will get that mantle after Messi and Ronaldo hang up their boots.
Mbappé has a way to go to even be in the conversation as the GOAT - Maradona, Messi, Pele, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cruyff all have some level of claim to that title. For me it is still Maradona, but I understand why some will pick Messi.
Mbappé is flavour of the month. He’s only 23 so has 10-15 years to stake his claim. Maybe he will or maybe he will go the way of his mate Neymar, who will never be mentioned with the names I listed above.
After all said and done its the best of South America vs the best of Europe. Messi the legend vs the rising star of Mbappe. Absolutely cracking final it should be. I can see Argentina getting over the line, Messi is like a man possessed to win this and the french are getting by on individual brilliance which they have an abundance of. Argentina have the firepower to punish France that Morocco didnt.
Mbappe GOAT? He hasn't even won a champions league or Ballon Dor yet.
I don't care what the narrative is usually but when it starts to affect things like the Ballin D'or which became the annual Messi vs Ronaldo popularity contest it's annoying.
If France win Greizmann has to be player of the tournament.
There is of course, the "other" side to Griezmann, which he may have kept in his back pocket for the final, as he did in 2018.
This was the dive for the free-kick, which everyone by-and-large agreed, was not a free kick, but was "bought" by Griezmann, The photo here shows him "air-borne" even before any contact was made. Wasn't a goal or penalty, hence, no VAR. France might need this "guile" on Sunday.
Agreed, best player so far for me but it will be Messi/Mbappe depending who wins Sunday
I hope Argentina win for many reasons but one of the most is that the World Cup wouldn’t really exist if everyone treated it like the French public. Useless fan numbers.
Flavour of the month I guess, Griezmann has probably been the best French player and possibly player of the tournament alright.
Why is Mbappe getting all the mentions around back to back World Cups? Why not others like Griezmann who has actually been France's best player this tournament?
GOAT comment for Mbappe is just silly.
I don't think anyone who has played 300 ish games gets anywhere near that discussion. In a few years, back to back WCs would definitely be a factor in that discussion, assuming he continues on. But today? Not even in consideration.
The whole GOAT discussion has gotten ridiculous (particularly since this WC kicked off as there are two players who would be in fair consideration as greatest of all time), the acronym GOAT has just become synonymous with 'really good'.
Mbabbe isn't anywhere near being the GOAT currently.
Ronaldo, Messi, Maradona, Pele. Not fit to tie any of their laces imo.
No amount of goals in a one horse race (cough Lille) farmers league team will convince me otherwise!
Mbappe? GOAT conversation?
Jesus wept
Agreed , I think the only Argentina player who gets in that France team is messi, you could make an argument for another couple but they’re debatable.
I have to say I think Argentina are a very average side, not in anyway exciting and without Messi would been out a long time ago. I feel like I’m watching a different game when people tell me they are a good side!
that said they certainly have a decent chance here, has felt a bit like name on the trophy for them but if both teams turn up and play to their best level, France win!
To quote Napoleon, who was French “I would rather have a general who was lucky than one who was good.”
I think France carry way more "raw talent"
The whole idea that Argentina have some sort of history for producing skillful teams is a myth peddled by people who know very little about football. Argentinian football has always been far more about a team of dirty bruisers with the odd "mercurial" star thrown in.
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