Emi Martinez , 15 games in 10 years at Arsenal then got a run after injuries and has won the FA cup, Copa America and World Cup in 3 years
Can we stop all this goat bullshit now, another Americanism that has infected our game. They're all great players in their own right.
One thing I'm happy about is it's broken the sequence of European winners. The World Cup had become a bit of a second Euros in recent tournaments and it had been 20 years since the last South American winner so this at least re-establishes the 'world' element of the tournament. An African team reaching the semi finals was also progress.
You wouldn't have said this if it was England instead of France in the final . I'd rather have France winning this but seeing this final and especially the tears of the likes of di Maria and what this meant to him (and Messi) I'm fine with Argentina, too. And if it brings some hope and happiness to the Argentinian people in these times is ok for me, too What a rollercoaster this final was. First it was only Argentina for most of the match. Giroud a total failure and rightfully substituted, Griezmann also not so good like before and also Mbappe until 80 minutes. Then suddenly you could see the class. A WTF moment nearly changed the match (also because Thuram, Kolo Muani and Coman did better than as the players they substituted). Messi with 2 goals in the final, Mbappe even with 3. Both players also as first one for the penalty shootout. This is the way to begin a shootout with your best players shooting first, not like Brazil with whiny Neymar who wanted to shoot as 5th Congrats, Argentina for the 3rd star on the shirts. Well earned. And also congrats to Messi for finally doing it what 8 years before the pesky Germans denied him . I'm also happy for the Argentina coach, Scaloni. When he got the job there were really ugly comments about him even from Maradona but in the 4 years under him they now won the Copa America, which they haven't won for a long time and now the ultimate trophy, the World Cup. Really not so bad
I'm not old enough to have watched some past greats such as Pele, Maradona, Cruyff etc. But I can say that Messi is easily the best player of my generation and it isn't even close. Ronaldo is incredible but even before this tournament, it's been pretty clear to me that not a single person has ever come close to matching the feeling of "wow" that I get when I watch Messi. Quite comfortably the greatest player of my generation and I'm delighted for him that he's capped off an incredible career by winning the world cup. Questions are often asked about how he'd do in the Premier League. He has more goals against the top 6 teams in England than Harry Kane does and has never played in the Premier League. Unbelievable player, unbelievable career and an absolute joy to watch. Good post. An incredible player and up there with both Messi and Ronaldo at the same age.
Pains me to say it, but Mac Allister coming in after that Saudi defeat was the difference for Argentina. What a player Chelsea bid incoming
Anyone else notice Infantino hanging around like a bad smell when the trophy has handed to Messi. The baldie was pointing just incase Messi didn't know where his team mates were on the podium stage thing. Am sure Mister Messi has had plenty of practise lifting trophies.
In Germany we didn't hear this because Geoff Hurst scored only two regular goals and a non-goal Mbappé 3 goals with 2 penalties (plus one in the shootout). I was relatively sure he would score the first one, although the pressure was immense for him. But before the 2nd I was also sure that he would fail now (doing an "Uli Hoeness" (for Germans ) or a "Harry Kane" (for the English) ). But he didn't, the guy has big "cojones". I didn't see much of him for nearly 80 minutes but when it counted he was there and especially at the 2nd goal he showed his class. This guy will become World Cup top scorer in 4 years, at the age of 27.
Still annoyed about Infantino and that stupid cloak thing Wankers, albeit not remotely surprising. At least the bald coot didn't (quite) make it into the photos.
Between him and dropping the utterly useless Lautaro Martinez for Alvarez, it completely changed the way they played.
