Totally agree.. Not sure why everybody suddenly think that Argentina has a "special team".. I don't think they're among the favorites by any means. Spain, Germany and Brazil (partly because they're playing on home soil) are imo the main favorites.
Lionel Messi
- Thread starter cesc's_mullet
- Start date
- Status
plenty of people on here who have used Ronaldo's stats to mask other deficiencies over the years so I don't see why the same cant be done for Postiga
Two wrongs dont make a right.plenty of people on here who have used Ronaldo's stats to mask other deficiencies over the years so I don't see why the same cant be done for Postiga
Actually, it'll be 8 matches - 4 La Liga, 2 CL & 2 CDR matches
Never a good time for an injury but Barcelona might've caught a break with it happening now rather than later in the season. But the bigger & more concerning issue will be how this is the 4th injury in less than a year and how to address it going forward. The controversy with the physiotherapist Brau is really just speculation since the Messi camp doesn't reveal much to the media and the club doesn't intend to renew him - not sure where or why the breakdown there occurred.
The photos of a sullen Leo boarding the plane in Sevilla along with player & coach's comments paint a picture of an elite competitor pretty down atm. We'll see how the club addresses it since both club & country need a healthy Messi
It's true that he was rarely injured under Guardiola but the same concerns that are at issue now were dealt with by Pep upon his arrival in the manner he saw fit...and it worked. Perhaps the club will impress that upon the player to return to the regime he had been on rather than deviate or attempt something unknown
sounds like the club have handled it horribly. Let's be honest, bringing him on injured against PSG was really stupid in hindsight, even PSG's arse collapsed the minute he walked on the park, it's having long term effects now.
Well yes, but then I was answering a post that said:
"Great news for a competitive La Liga."
I don't think he was really looking at Barcelona's ability to beat Cartagena in the Copa del Rey.
I saw the word "suit", so perhaps you need to articulate yourself better next time. There are very few footballers, if any that play football in suits...
All I am saying jaffy, is that as far as attacking options are concerned, they are a formidable side, but what lets them down for me has to be the goalkeeper and the back four, totally shocking at times. As for being the best player, that is going to be difficult since as we know, there will not be la liga defenders playing against him but some of the worlds best (I am talking about the knockout rounds, and not the group stages.) It is going to be extremely difficult for him, but we know that he can do it, it just needs him to step up to the plate.
I agree in terms of their squad quality few could name the Argentina starting lineup. You need a complete team to win. Messi can't keep things solid at the back which is always needed in a top side. I doubt they get to the semi's, I just want a vintage tournament from Messi.
Beckenbauer: Messi is the world's best player
Beckenbauer hands Messi the captain's armband
The German legend praises the Argentine forward as he is revealed as the first selection and captain for the all-star GALAXY 11
Franz Beckenbauer has spoken of his admiration for the "extraordinary" ability of Lionel Messi after picking the attacker as captain for the GALAXY 11.
The former World Cup-winning coach is compiling a line-up of the planet's top footballers and was in no doubt about the first name on the teamsheet.
Messi, 26, was the leading club goalscorer in major European leagues last season and has won numerous individual awards for his phenomenal contribution to the game.
In an exclusive interview, Beckenbauer said: "In my opinion, Messi is the best player in the world. His talents, his movement and his skills are extraordinary and then he is able to score goals.
"He's a real leader and also, outside of the field, he's a gentleman and his character is perfect."
Beckenbauer first revealed his plans for an all-star GALAXY 11 on November 1 following the sightings of mysterious symbols at global landmarks and unknown figures dressed in robes at three high-profile football matches.
Social media has been buzzing with speculation about the make-up of the team and, with the 10 selections to follow Messi, the debate will continue.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/5610/my...-messi-is-the-worlds-best-player?ICID=HP_HN_2
Beckenbauer hands Messi the captain's armband
The German legend praises the Argentine forward as he is revealed as the first selection and captain for the all-star GALAXY 11
Franz Beckenbauer has spoken of his admiration for the "extraordinary" ability of Lionel Messi after picking the attacker as captain for the GALAXY 11.
The former World Cup-winning coach is compiling a line-up of the planet's top footballers and was in no doubt about the first name on the teamsheet.
Messi, 26, was the leading club goalscorer in major European leagues last season and has won numerous individual awards for his phenomenal contribution to the game.
In an exclusive interview, Beckenbauer said: "In my opinion, Messi is the best player in the world. His talents, his movement and his skills are extraordinary and then he is able to score goals.
"He's a real leader and also, outside of the field, he's a gentleman and his character is perfect."
Beckenbauer first revealed his plans for an all-star GALAXY 11 on November 1 following the sightings of mysterious symbols at global landmarks and unknown figures dressed in robes at three high-profile football matches.
Social media has been buzzing with speculation about the make-up of the team and, with the 10 selections to follow Messi, the debate will continue.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/5610/my...-messi-is-the-worlds-best-player?ICID=HP_HN_2
Beckenbauer really thinking outside the box there.
Yeah, a bit controversial I must say.
What the feck.
So is this some marketing campaign by adidas or Nike or Pepsi or some other large company?
So is this some marketing campaign by adidas or Nike or Pepsi or some other large company?
Samsung. Messi's captaining earth against the aliens.
He's a Linguist too! What can't this guy do?Reach for food items on the top shelf..
Damn, I hope Messi recovers in time for the Universal Cup later on this summer.
That pesky World Cup is always getting in the way, just like the Capital One Cup.
That pesky World Cup is always getting in the way, just like the Capital One Cup.
Messi isn't coming to Meadowlands now is he? I bought a ticket for Argentina game this Friday. Not going now, the little cnut is not coming 
That ad, feck's sake.It did take a lot of imagination to do that clip.
That one's a classic
I just read some rumours saying that Messi is going to leave Barca next summer. There seems to have been some disagreements concerning his new contract(he wants more cash, obviously). Not only that, but because of this, he has already reached an unwritten agreement with another club(it has to be Bayern, surely?).
I don't read Spanish, but apparently this François Gallardo bloke is a very solid source.
I don't read Spanish, but apparently this François Gallardo bloke is a very solid source.
That would be ground-breaking. Can't imagine him anywhere else except Barca. What the hell will the transfer fee be?
I think it's bollocks. He has to stay surely.
I think it's bollocks. He has to stay surely.
I wonder if this was the incredibly long trip that Woodward was taking from Australia for?
This would make the Bale transfer look like a Charlie Adam to Stoke deal. The fee would easily be 9 figures, how far into 9 figures would be the serious question, and whichever team that could afford it is another. Doubtful in my eyes though
This would make the Bale transfer look like a Charlie Adam to Stoke deal. The fee would easily be 9 figures, how far into 9 figures would be the serious question, and whichever team that could afford it is another. Doubtful in my eyes though
Gallardo is best imagined as a man in funny specs with a clown hat, big shoes, riding a tiny bike.
However he does report the gossip that's doing the rounds in Spanish agent, quasi-agent and wannabe-agent circles. Including for example Ozil being offered for sale and United enquiring about Khedira.
At the moment Messi's contract renewal is following the Ronaldo pattern. First the rumours that Adidas and other sponsors are willing to help "put together a package" to cover the transfer and wages without killing the buyer's financial fairplay status. Then we moved onto, reasons why he's unhappy about the backing he's getting from the club. Now we've hit the, "he's got a club in mind," stage.
A Jorge Mendes style negotiating campaign plan, but this time run by Messi's dad.
The reason the contract is an issue this time is that Messi doesn't just want more than Ronaldo, he wants more after-tax than Neymar's dad got as part of the Neymar deal. All allegedly of course.
Looks like the little man is ruining his dad's tactics...
http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/messi-lot-clubs-want-dont-want-leave-barcelona-124800184--spt.html
http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/messi-lot-clubs-want-dont-want-leave-barcelona-124800184--spt.html
Where is this galaxy 11 leading to? Are we going to see them play against Lumia 11?
Yes, and Apple will then claim that it was their idea all along...
I've heard a rumor it's Chelsea that he'll sign with.
He clearly wants to play in the same team as his best friend Pepe.
He should sign with Monaco for his dad's sake.
Graham Hunter:
It's all his speculation of course, since FCBarca said Hunter doesn't have nearly as many connections to the club than he did before, but Messi's contract renewal is quite the topic with the recent comments by Barca's vice-president saying: "I do not know why we have to do it again. We do not have to improve a contract every six months." Messi's contract runs till 2018 but the speculation is that he wants a better contract than Neymar's. This is all on top of Iniesta's ongoing contract talks, the apparent reluctance to renew due to Rosell.
It's all his speculation of course, since FCBarca said Hunter doesn't have nearly as many connections to the club than he did before, but Messi's contract renewal is quite the topic with the recent comments by Barca's vice-president saying: "I do not know why we have to do it again. We do not have to improve a contract every six months." Messi's contract runs till 2018 but the speculation is that he wants a better contract than Neymar's. This is all on top of Iniesta's ongoing contract talks, the apparent reluctance to renew due to Rosell.
Surely, Barca did not give Neymar a better contract than Messi? Infact, if I was Iniesta I would be demanding a better contract than Neymar as well
FCBarca really hates Rossell. That's all I know.
And if Geymar's on higher wages then Messi
And if Geymar's on higher wages then Messi
It's a safe bet that Messi has asked for more money, a lot more money if the Spanish press are right. The fact the Barca media have run with stories that are negative or at best about neutral about Messi in the last few weeks indicates there's an issue. There's no way they're running them without encouragement from Barca board members.
The Barca VP who made the comment also said that Messi won't be sold, and they do have him under contract until 2018.
The Neymar complication revolves around €40m that may or not have been paid to N&N (Neymar dad and junior) in Brazil dodging both the "best paid player at the club" issue and Spanish taxes. Apparently Messi believes the story.
I read that Rosell was dodging questions about what Neymar's actual contract is so that Messi doesn't think that Neymar is on better wages? Maybe it was Sport or AS, can't remember. But even Rosell wouldn't be that stupid to do something that would risk Messi leaving the club.
Messi to United? Let the rumours begin...
250m Euros + the biggest pay packet in football and he's ours.
Maybe.
Time to brush the cobwebs off the war chest.
- Status