Association football (soccer)

Considering the Brazilian team Pele was in was better than the Argentinian team Messi is in (My opinion but I think most people would agree that it's true) I think so long as Messi wins one World Cup then I think most will admit he has been the best player ever. People will stay make the argument Pele scored more and won more world cups but if Messi played in the Brazilian league I think he could easily score as much (if not more) than Pele, given he started and ended his career there. So I think it'll cement him as the best player in the world.

No doubt he'll be immortalized, but I'm not getting the part where you said Pele had a better team which was comprised of mostly players in the Brazilian league, then saying it's an easier league than the European league now. I'm not wondering about Pele and Messi, I'm just wondering if Messi lives in an era when the game is fasterm, more physical and tactical than ever, then how does he has a worse off team. It's not the team I think that's preventing him from winning (Their players are comparable to any of the stoked squads in this World Cup, Germany, Brazil, Spain,...) but his own discord with the team, they just don't feels right playing together. On the point of a weaker team preventing someone from winning, are we forgetting Ronaldo and Bale. (Poor guys)

What I meant is that the Brazilian league on a whole had a lower quality than most European leagues, but they had a higher number of quality players like Pele that made their international team better than the rest. Like they had a higher number of below quality players but a higher number of quality player than the European leagues.

I also disagree with idea they have a squad comparable to the likes of Germany and Spain. Argentina have players like Messi and Di Maria with a few other quality players but nothing that makes you jump out of your seat. Whereas all of Germany's starting 11 all play for Europe's top teams on a regular basis and prove themselves. I don't think the same can be said for most of the Argentinian players (Bar the likes of Mess, Di Maria, Marcherano, Aguero and Lavezzi). Although that's just my opinion, I'll probably end up being wring and Argentina will end up winning the World Cup ;)

Well I don't think Argentina has the star power like a Spain or Germany either. You look up and down those squads you basically can name out their Clubs, but Argentina some names you may not seen before.

To me it is so hard to call someone the best ever because the generation gap. Today players are bigger, stronger, faster, and the game is what I believe so much harder cause all the tactics. Now I wasn't alive during the Pele days so not sure how teams fair. The only way I can figure is if you take Pele in his prime and put him on a team like a Bayern, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Chelsea does he have the same type of success as he did in his career?

I wasn't alive either during Pele's time. I've just naturally assumed what I said is the case from the research I've done into the Brazilian leagues and videos I've watched as well as the occasional documentary into the leagues.

Not sure if Pele would be as good now as he was then, mainly because of what the ball was like and how its changed since it's lighter now and moves more in the air. That would probably effect his game but I would imagine he could keep up with Premier League stars (and to a lesser extent the other European leagues) since he was world renowned for being strong, quick on and off the ball and of course a clinical finisher. But that's all conjecture really, I imagine he would be just as successful but I can just as easily see how he might not be.

Btw some injuries announced today:

-For France they lose an all important Frank Ribery. This is a big hit on them cause he is such a dynamic players, and does bringing anyone else to replace him give you a better chance?
-Russia lost their captain. Don't know much about him, but he is their captain and never want to lose a leader right before a big tournament.
-For Germany Reus went to hospital today with a possible ankle injury. He could be okay, but not as bad since not even sure he makes it into an already deep starting 11.

It's a bad injury for France since Ribery was the only player other than Benzema to score more than 7 goals in the entire team. Plus he is an experienced figure, they'll miss that. I don't think they'll be able to bring in anyone who can do what Ribery has done in the same position, but I don't know who they have on their stand-by list so they may have someone who can do a similar job.

As for Russia I don't think that's as worrying since they have plenty of experienced internationals how can fill that gap left by their captain (Whoever it is, I can't remember).

Same with Germany, they have a bunch of top-class midfielders who can replace Reus, especially Gotze, who proved he can score after they beat Armenia tonight. Although Reus is more of a goalscorer in general than Gotze and the other attacking Midfielders (Bar Shurrle) so they may miss the number of goals he can contribute.

Losing Ribery certainly won't help France, but it should give Griezmann a chance to shine. He's had a great season and his appearances so far for France have been encouraging. Could be the making of him and a big money move away from Sociedad.

Fair to say that Brazil got a bit lucky there. Still, looking forward to a great tournament. Spain Netherlands later!

Brazil was handed that game. That was not a foul in the box. The guy tapped his shoulder and he flew himself backwards. Brazil should have still won, but to win like that is annoying for someone like me. Mexico/Cameron now and Mexico apparently forgot how to score a goal, 2 disallowed of course. I need to record the Spain/Netherlands game.

Pirlo is still brilliant for his age! Although his free kick did not result in a goal, it hit the crossbar, leaving everyone, players and spectators alike, stunned.

Due to work commitments, I am unable to catch most of the World Cup matches thus far. :(

Wow so far 12 games in and one of the most surprising things is not 1 draw. That is so weird, but Iran and Nigeria play later so maybe them or United States and Ghana will be the first.



So far the only game I saw that was somewhat boring was Argentina vs Bosnia but that was only cause first half didn't see as much action as you would have thought.

Also after 1 game: Goals
Messi - 1
Ronaldo - 0
Always watching these two to see who tops the other.


Spain will be out in group stages!
I didn't watch the game cause I thought it came on a little bit later, but 2-0 Chile? I know Chile is a good team but this was suppose to be number 1 team in the WORLD! I think the fact they don't have a proven striker has finally caught up to them. They worry to much about possesion when you can control the ball for 90% of the game it still doesn't matter if you don't score and that 10% from other team counters with a goal. I am just completely shocked they are just out in group stages. The biggest mistake I think made was Diego Costa...Never had enough time in team to really get comfortable.

Well Spain are out and I'm not overly surprised. I thought they'd get out the group stage at least but I guess this is what happens when A. They had no proven goalscorers at an international level and B. They've been using the same team for 6 years, it was going to be sooner rather than later someone found a kink in their armour. They didn't look dangerous and moved the ball too slowly as opposed to Chile who moved with pace on the counter-attack. Diego Costa must be regretting his decision to chose them over Brazil, but to be fair he was their only semi-dangerous player tonight, he just couldn't get a decent chance, or when he did, he just didn't take it.

I guess this is time for Spain to realvaluate and look for other options in areas like midfield: Inestia and Xavi aren't getting younger and have lost their spark and stamina. Plus the less said about Busquets the better.

To be honest, Australia looks more entertaining than Spain. I wish Aussie can win their last game although they already out from the cup.

Cahill did an impressive job for his national team.

Lul at Spain.
France and Holland seem to have found their groove.
Looking forward to the Holland vs Chile game.

Mexico has been playing very well, but it's going to go down to the wire against Croatia. Hoping Mexico go through, but Croatia is no push over.

And Costa Rica qualifies ahead of Uruguay, England, and Italy. Didn't see that coming either.

Really entertaining World Cup so far.

Another Exciting day of World Cup action....Portugal stays alive with I think now is the latest extra time goal with their 95th minute tying goal against USA. I was standing up watching the last 10 minutes almost half expecting a tying goal, but as the time went along I started thinking it was done and then bam CR7 makes a wonderful pass...

1 game left groups and situations:
A:
Brazil vs Cameroon: Brazil win or tie they are in - Cameroon is out
Mexico vs Croatia: Mexico in with draw or win - Croatia needs win and they are in

B:
Netherlands vs Chile: both teams already in
Spain vs Australia: both teams are out

C:
Japan vs Columbia: Japan needs to win and Cote to lose - Columbia already in
Greece vs Cote D'Ivoire: Greece needs Columbia to win or draw and win - Cote need to draw or win

D:
Costa Rica vs England: Costa Rica already in and England already out
Italy vs Uruguay: Whoever wins is in - draw means Italy goes through on goal differential since they are even and Uruguay at a -1.

E:
Ecuador vs France: Ecuador needs win or draw/ Swiss lose or draw/Swiss draw and GD they go through - France win or draw are in
Honduras vs Switzerland: Honduras needs a win and Ecuador loss and need to score 5 more goals then Switzerland - Switzerland need win and Ecuador loss or draw and Ecuador draw.

F:
Nigeria vs Argentina: Nigeria gets in with win or draw - Argentina is in
Bosnia vs Iran: Bosnia is out - Iran need win and Nigeria loss and need to win game by 3 goals.

G:
Germany vs USA: Germany and USA both if either wins they are in and if draw they are both in.
Ghana vs Portugal: Ghana and Portugal need a win and USA or Germany win and have better GD than loser of the first game.

H:
South Korea vs Belgium: Korea needs win and Algeria loss - Belgium in
Russia vs Algeria: Russia needs win - Algeria needs win or draw/not have Korea win by more than 3.

Yes I know to much time on my hands lol.

Italy is out but the big story won't be going out but what the hell is wrong with Suarez.

He's still playing, that's what's wrong.

This is the same fag who made the handball that cost Ghana the quarterfinals in 2010, and this is the THIRD time he bites someone while on the field. And he and his captain have the gall to complain that Chiellini is a whiner and that it was nothing major. I don't complain about the result - Italy's performance was subpar after all - but I seriously hope this idiot gets sanctioned hard.

Clearly Suarez has some kind of mental issues, and I'm not saying that to simply try and think of an answer, to go around biting 3 different players in the space of 4 years is the work of a madman. It must be something psychological to cause him to go around and try to bite an opponent and for what? Chiellini didn't seem to provoke him at all.

He should be banned, that much is clear, but for how long? I mean he's gone and made a mockery out of the most watched tournament in the entire world whilst disgracing himself and his country. I think the most FIFA can ban him for is 24 games or one year worth of games. I'm not sure if that's long enough myself. It's obviously a premeditated action to bite someone on a football pitch. It's disgusting to think that millions of children will watch that scene and possibly could be influenced by Suarez since he's become a global star after last season. He definitely needs to be punished.

I also love how he has the balls to say "These things happen on a football pitch" in an interview after the match: NO IT FUCKING DOESN'T YOU PSYCHO! People do not bare their teeth to reduce the damage impacting with a shoulder will do to their mouth so he can't use the 'Coming together' argument. An ordinary sane person does not bite another man, it does not happen on a football pitch.

I'm actually looking forward to the verdict tonight and to see if Suarez will get any support because, if he does, I will lose whatever respect I have left for him (As a professional, I've already lost all respect for him as a human being) if he thinks its okay to bite someone and lie about it.

Anyway, rant over.

Well there is the round of 16.

I have going through:
Brazil---------------Netherlands
Columbia-------------Costa Rica

France---------------Argentina
Germany--------------United States

I think if that goes through like that then obviously the France/Germany game will be the most intriguing. Games start tomorrow for the round of 16 and I must say the group stages felt like it took a "bite" out of the world's attention. So many goals and exciting moments. People wear "hungry" for the World Cup.

Esspecially Suarez.