The FOOTBALL thread

[Antonio.]

Don't fool yourself Antonio, Messi lead his whole nation to the final and if Argentina had won, it would have been Messi's year, considering Ronaldo was nothing more but a big wappin zero in the world cup.

He lead his team to the knockout stage, is what you mean. One late goal from Di Maria in the end against Switzerland, one early goal from Higuain in the beginning against Belgium and a penalty shootout win against Netherlands is how they made it to the final, something Messi had little influence on. And not to mention he didn't manage to do anything in the final to make his team win.

Ronaldo had a bad world cup, but at least he had a 17 goal champions league record and Europe's top scorer to his name. Not to mention Ronaldo was injured towards the end of the La Liga season until some time after the world cup. The fact that he didn't play good still stands, but there's not much you can do when you're injured and forcing yourself to play.

So the group stage isn't important in that sense then?

It is, but just because someone does well in that stage doesn't mean he was the best in his team if he couldn't anything in the knockout stage.

[Matute]

He lead his team to the knockout stage, is what you mean. One late goal from Di Maria in the end against Switzerland, one early goal from Higuain in the beginning against Belgium and a penalty shootout win against Netherlands is how they made it to the final, something Messi had little influence on. And not to mention he didn't manage to do anything in the final to make his team win.

Messi did a great world cup, though IMO, it was between him and Mascherano. He lead the team very well, in the final if Di Maria had played it would have been a whole different story. Fucking Sabella why did he replaced Lavezzi

[Hamza.]

There would have been no knockout stages if Messi would have not showed his effort back then.

[Antonio.]

There would have been no knockout stages if Messi would have not showed his effort back then.

Yep, this is basically the only thing that's true. Just because he was most likely the best player in the group stages, doesn't mean it's enough to call him the best player of the tournament.

[Sawyer]

He lead his team to the knockout stage, is what you mean. One late goal from Di Maria in the end against Switzerland, one early goal from Higuain in the beginning against Belgium and a penalty shootout win against Netherlands is how they made it to the final, something Messi had little influence on. And not to mention he didn't manage to do anything in the final to make his team win.

Nice effort but let me remind you this; Ronaldo had no influence in the CL final aswell as the Copa Del Rey final. It's the decisive goals that count. And he did nothing when his team came calling. And for the record I think CR7 is the most COMPLETE player the world has ever seen, but if I had to choose for the player of the year, it would've been Neuer.

There would have been no knockout stages if Messi would have not showed his effort back then.

True. but knockout stages cannot award you a ballon

[Antonio.]

Nice effort but let me remind you this; Ronaldo had no influence in the CL final aswell as the Copa Del Rey final. It's the decisive goals that count. And he did nothing when his team came calling. And for the record I think CR7 is the most COMPLETE player the world has ever seen, but if I had to choose for the player of the year, it would've been Neuer.

You simply can't say that someone who scores 17 goals in a single CL campaign hasn't influenced anything on their team, especially after they are chosen as the best player in Europe. Alone scoring so many goals influences your team, because that gives more boast of confidence for upcoming matches. Ronaldo played a big role in the CL group stages, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win vs Juventus, and scoring another one against them in the away match which led to a 2-2 draw. Against Copenhagen scored both 2 opening goals, and one away goal, which also can prove to be decisive. Against Galatasaray is where his goals really didn't make a huge difference since they got thrashed, but goals are goals and he got a hat trick against them.

Against Dortmund his third goal was decisive, if it wasn't for that third goal they could have even gotten eliminated. He was simply the best player of the year, it's not every year that a player comes to the CL, breaks a goal scoring record and scores against EVERY SINGLE opponent, especially opponents such as Juventus, Dortmund, Bayern, Atletico Madrid.

[Sawyer]

You simply can't say that someone who scores 17 goals in a single CL campaign hasn't influenced anything on their team, especially after they are chosen as the best player in Europe. Alone scoring so many goals influences your team, because that gives more boast of confidence for upcoming matches. Ronaldo played a big role in the CL group stages, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win vs Juventus, and scoring another one against them in the away match which led to a 2-2 draw. Against Copenhagen scored both 2 opening goals, and one away goal, which also can prove to be decisive. Against Galatasaray is where his goals really didn't make a huge difference since they got thrashed, but goals are goals and he got a hat trick against them.

Against Dortmund his third goal was decisive, if it wasn't for that third goal they could have even gotten eliminated. He was simply the best player of the year, it's not every year that a player comes to the CL, breaks a goal scoring record and scores against EVERY SINGLE opponent, especially opponents such as Juventus, Dortmund, Bayern, Atletico Madrid.

Best player of CL? Perhaps yes. But best player of the year? Hell no.

[Rick.]

Great win by Arsenal. No complaints here, we were terrible and they came with a game plan.

[Khm]

Back to Africa, Tunisia's luck bottle seems not done yet... How did they even win, lol.

[Majnoon]

Back to Africa, Tunisia's luck bottle seems not done yet... How did they even win, lol.

It's not luck. Even tunisie good team they have the enough experience to win more games and a chance to win Africa cap, It's sad my country algeria lost two matches and if we lose in the next match we will go down.

[Khm]

It's not luck. Even tunisie good team they have the enough experience to win more games and a chance to win Africa cap.

No lol, we suck.

[Hamza.]

I heard Barcelona will meet Manchester City in the EUFA. Seems interesting, though a tough challenge.

[Rick.]

What the hell happened to Dortmund.

[Bruce.]

What the hell happened to Dortmund.

They're preparing the team for UCL against Juventus

[Luke]

They're preparing the team for UCL against Juventus

If they beat you id actually lol, Dortmund are just going through a rough patch like every team do. But the true fans will stand by them through thick and thin.

Respect to their keeper and Hummels, for actully getting into the crowd and saying sorry.