Theres a meme floating around in spanish instagram. About how Barcelona was 8 cups behind Real Madrid, but then Pep, Xavi, Messi, Iniesta, and all the legends came and played the greatest football known to man, and now they are 10 cups behind Real Madrid
In the im entire history of Portugal, they have go to 8 world cups. 5 of them with Ronaldo. And reached 2 euro finals. 2 with Ronaldo.
He would need to improve massively. He’s nowhere close to CR7s peak numbers. Messi’s numbers are even more insane. In fact, CR7 might even out score him this year. Messi and ronaldo may seem human now that they are at an age where their teammates are all retired (Rooney us younger than CR and it feels like he hung up the boots ages ago) and haaland is an insane player, but Ronaldo and Messi are so good that even at their age Messi is the best in the world and Ronaldo might finish as the top scorer in the world. At their peaks, they would be so far ahead of Haalands current level that we wouldn’t even be having this discussion
I’m sure his NT fans would be happy if he dragged them to a World Cup, CR7 style
It’s that you can’t be a pro and play college. The high school / college system in the Us hinders development massively. I even find it strange when here in the states people brag that they played college. Usually it’s guys that are incredible athletes with literally 0 ability. I went to a random corner in Brasil to play and out of the 25 people I saw play, 2 were by far better than anyone I’ve ever met in the USA that wasnt a professional player in South America. The level gap is that high. In Chile I saw a random 7v7 match. 4 or 5 of the 14 were better than anyone I’ve played with 7v7 in the US. The talent gap is insane
South America produces the most talent and Europe draws players from all over the world to their national teams. I really don’t see anyone getting close outside of USA and Mexico.
United States, after fielding a team full of South Americans and Europeans
I too have a shitty national team right now
Boca is universally hated
Messi isn’t even good at free kicks he’s just lucky the ball goes 10 CM above the wall and 10cm below the post instead of hitting something every time.
Messi, Pele, Maldini, Totti in that order (no, I don’t hold strict to that one club thing, retirement leagues don’t count)
Because man decided to eat from the forbidden fruit. Evil is disobeying God. Good gave us free will and a roadmap. We kinda threw that in the trash and decided to do our own thing. Part of free will is that God doesn’t babysit us. He’s not running after us making the world safe like a helicopter parent.
So frustrating watching him miss so many his first few seasons.
Chupete Suazo at Monterrey. He arrived as the star signing, didn’t score any goals, and was at his fattest. He literally had to go apologize to the fans and promised to do improve in the second half of the season and start training hard. The man scored 13 that second half season and became their top scorer of all time, winning 3 champions leagues, and 3 leagues, scoring 11 goals in 5 of those finals.
So…. An oligarch
A lot of private security for the ultra rich are former special forces or mercenaries (the same defense contractors used by countries). They have access to almost everything you could think of.
Messi number 1. Valdivia and ozil at 2, then everyone else
The droughts are “droughts” though. In 68 CLs, RM has won 14, or 20.6% of CLs. they have reached 17 finals, meaning 25%, and They have reached Semis and lost in 15. Out of 68 CLs, RM have been top 4 in 47% of them. that is insane