Vinicius Junior

I think there were two and one was joking (though both or none could have been) but one way or another, the notion that GB is far less racist (as in "decades ahead") than Spain is still present.
It depends on what kind of racism you tolerate... I believe GB like rest of the northern (historically Protestant) part of Europe has much more racism towards people that one doesn't see and doesn't have to deal with directly. It is much easier for a significant part of public opinions in Germany and GB to support Genocidal rhetoric and wars against brown people in other parts of the world. The majority of the Spanish/Portuguese people would never excuse their government taking part in blowing up thousands of kids (of color) to bits because they would be “undemocratic societies”...

South Europeans are by nature more open with their emotions, including racism, and the racist ones would gladly insult Vinicius in the stadiums...
 
No Mbappe, has CL and Euro and maybe Olympics he can win.

Plus he's actually just better than anyone else.
I really don't understand this certainty about Mbappé being THE best player in the world. What exactly makes him better than De Bruyne, Vinícius Jr., Griezmann, Kane, etc? This guy is insanely overrated. I've seen many talking about him as if he were the Messi of 2009-2013 compared to everyone else(not necessarily you). He's on the same level as the other world class players at the moment.
 
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Maybe Saka? Mbappe?

Can't think of any other outstanding player in both league and CL competition, I'm sure I'm missing a few

You are. Florian Wirtz has been outstanding for example. Musiala also. Kane has had an outstanding individual season in Germany. If Madrid wins the CL hard to see past Kroos or Vinicius. And Mbappe will always be a contender
 
Has the greatest constitution since C.Ronaldo, but doesn't appear to be drawing from a sociopathic well to attain it. Every time I watch him, I'm more impressed by his mindset than his actual game. Not to say he doesn't play well, but it's his mindset and attitude that makes him a threat from the first minute of a game until the very last seconds of it.

It's not often wingers have that kind of focus and desire to fight for a whole game no matter whether they've been awful or even on fire. It's a very special trait, which makes him hard to bet against - he's the one that simply won't give up.
 
Has the greatest constitution since C.Ronaldo, but doesn't appear to be drawing from a sociopathic well to attain it. Every time I watch him, I'm more impressed by his mindset than his actual game. Not to say he doesn't play well, but it's his mindset and attitude that makes him a threat from the first minute of a game until the very last seconds of it.

It's not often wingers have that kind of focus and desire to fight for a whole game no matter whether they've been awful or even on fire. It's a very special trait, which makes him hard to bet against - he's the one that simply won't give up.

You could say this about Neymar too before injuries zapped some of his explosion away.

He'd never hide in a game even if he wasn't playing well.
 
Him and Saka on the same team would be something to behold.

Whoever scouted him and Rodrygo, well we need to get that person signed up
 
Has the greatest constitution since C.Ronaldo, but doesn't appear to be drawing from a sociopathic well to attain it. Every time I watch him, I'm more impressed by his mindset than his actual game. Not to say he doesn't play well, but it's his mindset and attitude that makes him a threat from the first minute of a game until the very last seconds of it.

It's not often wingers have that kind of focus and desire to fight for a whole game no matter whether they've been awful or even on fire. It's a very special trait, which makes him hard to bet against - he's the one that simply won't give up.

Yes agree.

His willingness and effectiveness when pressing and counter pressing is very underrated. On top of that, his ability to constantly turn on the ball in tight spaces in disadvantageous situations to then open up the entire pitch is quite a marvel to watch. Hazard-esque.

I used to think how would a young Nani playing in a 4-3-3 grow and perform in today's game. I would look towards to Vinicius Jr as a comparison but it might be a disservice to the Brazilian, who is probably on a different level, as difficult as that is to admit.

Although the sample size is small, after Pogba, prime Nani was probably the last player we've had that I thought was truly world class with mercurial talent. How I would love to see Nani playing today in an organised setup. Imagine him isolated against a defender on the channel, having an overlapping run on the outside or midfielders to play one-twos with in tight spaces. Hm perhaps I'm doing Nani a disservice.
 
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But even beyond them we had guys like Suarez, Benzema, Neymar, peak Lewandowskis, peak Bale, and then midfielders like Iniesta, peak Modric, peak Kroos. Any of those would sweep this Ballon D'or. The only guy around who could be on the level of those forwards is Mbappe
Kane literally has better stats than Lewa in his first season playing in a much weaker Bayern side… Kane has been better than Mbappe last few years apart from the World Cup so I don’t really get the Mbappe is easily the best on the planet argument.

De Bruyne is also just a better footballer than Mbappe almost every week in comparison. KDB also has won a European cup and dominated Madrid last season easily.

Something Mbappe has never done. In terms of club football when the standard is higher I think we can all agree Mbappe hasn’t really proved it on the very pinnacle yet like someone such as KDB or let’s be honest Toni Kroos or Modric consistently does.

It’s a bit like the Iniesta Neymar argument. Iniesta dominated finals the likes of which we may not have seen before those years Spanish football crushed it but Neymar was always said to be the third best in the world.

Attackers just always get the nod usually despite maybe lacking the technical ability of others further back.
 
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With all due respect, you watch Vini Jr play today and you understand how far our forwards are from the likes of Vini Jr, in every possible way, not to mention how far United is from Real Madrid. Completely different level.
 
Kane literally has better stats than Lewa in his first season playing in a much weaker Bayern side… Kane has been better than Mbappe last few years apart from the World Cup so I don’t really get the Mbappe is easily the best on the planet argument.

De Bruyne is also just a better footballer than Mbappe almost every week in comparison. KDB also has won a European cup and dominated Madrid last season easily.

Something Mbappe has never done. In terms of club football when the standard is higher I think we can all agree Mbappe hasn’t really proved it on the very pinnacle yet like someone such as KDB or let’s be honest Toni Kroos or Modric consistently does.

It’s a bit like the Iniesta Neymar argument. Iniesta dominated finals the likes of which we may not have seen before those years Spanish football crushed it but Neymar was always said to be the third best in the world.

Attackers just always get the nod usually despite maybe lacking the technical ability of others further back.

What Mbappe did in the UCL at 18 when playing for Monaco along with his iconic WC performances put him among the top-2 of the new generation easily. Not even counting his domination of Ligue 1 or great overall UCL stats (74 g&a in 70 games), or his out of this world pace, dribbling skills etc. He is the number 1 player for France NT, which is probably the best current NT in terms of quality and depth. The most electrifying player of the new generation. There's a reason a team like Real has never given up on Mbappe despite his arrogance, past rejections and having Vinicius, Rodrygo etc. Any team including Bayern would replace Kane with Mbappe in a heartbeat if given the chance, there's no argument here. What I find foolish is to put a 10-touch ghost like Haaland in these best forward conversations when you have Kane, Mbappe, Vinicius just because he scores most tap-ins.

Mbappe had a hat-trick in a single game in the WC final, the same number of goals (3) Ronaldo (one of the greatest goal scorers of all time) had in 19 WC+Euro knockout games in 5 WCs + 5 Euros.
 
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No Mbappe, has CL and Euro and maybe Olympics he can win.

Plus he's actually just better than anyone else.
Based on?? I see this all the time yet I've not seen any evidence.
Vinicius is better than everyone except Mbappe
Again, where does this Mbappe thing come from? He hasn't shown anything to suggest he is currently the "bpitw". It's almost like some blind regurgitation of what was said before. Mbappe hasn't performed at a high level since that wc final.
 
What Mbappe did in the UCL at 18 when playing for Monaco along with his iconic WC performances put him among the top-2 of the new generation easily. Not even counting his domination of Ligue 1 or great overall UCL stats (74 g&a in 70 games), or his out of this world pace, dribbling skills etc. He is the number 1 player for France NT, which is probably the best current NT in terms of quality and depth. The most electrifying player of the new generation. There's a reason a team like Real has never given up on Mbappe despite his arrogance, past rejections and having Vinicius, Rodrygo etc. Any team including Bayern would replace Kane with Mbappe in a heartbeat if given the chance, there's no argument here. What I find foolish is to put a 10-touch ghost like Haaland in these best forward conversations when you have Kane, Mbappe, Vinicius just because he scores most tap-ins.

Mbappe had a hat-trick in a single game in the WC final, the same number of goals (3) Ronaldo (one of the greatest goal scorers of all time) had in 19 WC+Euro knockout games in 5 WCs + 5 Euros.
Mbappe hasn't played well in any big game since the last 10 minutes and extra time of the world cup final. He was terrible vs Bayern last season and terrible vs Barcelona this season. He has been terrible for France too. This notion that he is the BPITW without evidence is tiring.
 
Based on?? I see this all the time yet I've not seen any evidence.

Again, where does this Mbappe thing come from? He hasn't shown anything to suggest he is currently the "bpitw". It's almost like some blind regurgitation of what was said before. Mbappe hasn't performed at a high level since that wc final.

Just because Vini plays in a better league and a more popular team doesn't mean he's better individually. Mbappe is comfortably better. Visually it's easy to see. The stats are in his favour too.
 
What Mbappe did in the UCL at 18 when playing for Monaco along with his iconic WC performances put him among the top-2 of the new generation easily. Not even counting his domination of Ligue 1 or great overall UCL stats (74 g&a in 70 games), or his out of this world pace, dribbling skills etc. He is the number 1 player for France NT, which is probably the best current NT in terms of quality and depth. The most electrifying player of the new generation. There's a reason a team like Real has never given up on Mbappe despite his arrogance, past rejections and having Vinicius, Rodrygo etc. Any team including Bayern would replace Kane with Mbappe in a heartbeat if given the chance, there's no argument here. What I find foolish is to put a 10-touch ghost like Haaland in these best forward conversations when you have Kane, Mbappe, Vinicius just because he scores most tap-ins.

Mbappe had a hat-trick in a single game in the WC final, the same number of goals (3) Ronaldo (one of the greatest goal scorers of all time) had in 19 WC+Euro knockout games in 5 WCs + 5 Euros.

Quite a fraudulent hat trick, two penalties and he did absolutely nothing until that sub came on and inspired the team and won the penalty.
 
Mbappe has disappointed in the big games for PSG. He was woeful against Barcelona until the red card.

Tonight should be interesting to see if he turns up as he is capable of.
 
Mbappe coming to Madrid next year will harm Vini's development and leadership.

Mbappe makes no concession, he will be the boss of the team, playing high on the pitch and mainly moving on the left to the center, where Vini is playing so it could be interesting to see potentially what Vini will do the following summer.

I think with Mbappe, Madrid will be a bit unbalanced.

But Vini is the player Rashford think he is.
 
Just because Vini plays in a better league and a more popular team doesn't mean he's better individually. Mbappe is comfortably better. Visually it's easy to see. The stats are in his favour too.
Is it? Both are wingers/forwards, so for one to be comfortably better than the other, he has to be better at both scoring and creating or more consistent and impactful. Since 21/22, I don't think any of these things are true in favor of Mbappé; Vinícius is clearly the better playmaker and I don't think Mbappé has been more consistently influential than him at the highest level. Also, Vinícius is more hardworking and a team player.
 
Football is in the toilet. None of these would have even been top 5 10 years ago.
5 or 10 years ago football wasn't normal. We had 2 goats playing at their peak at the same time.
We need to forget the heights they reached and learn to reevaluate current players differently
 
Mbappe coming to Madrid next year will harm Vini's development and leadership.

Mbappe makes no concession, he will be the boss of the team, playing high on the pitch and mainly moving on the left to the center, where Vini is playing so it could be interesting to see potentially what Vini will do the following summer.

I think with Mbappe, Madrid will be a bit unbalanced.

But Vini is the player Rashford think he is.

He would be the best replacement for Rashford we can get. As you mentioned, I don't think he can work together with Mbappe. Mbappe is not an out and out striker and likes to cut in from the left, the same as Vini.

What I think will happen? I guess there will be a direct swap between City and Madrid with Haaland going to Madrid and Vini coming to City.
 
Ancelotti coming in really helped his development. Prior to that he was very hit & miss, more of the latter really. But for the last couple of seasons he has been improving so many assets of his game. Especially his movement centrally and hold-up play. Still only 23 and room for improvement. Hope he keeps progressing as he is doing now. Prolly his best season yet.

Also; incredibly clutch. Even when we barely have the ball, he still produces in those moments.







And an incredible playmaker & wingplay on top. I really wouldn’t swap him for Mbappe.
 
He really is an amazing footballer. One of the best footballers out there right now
 
But even beyond them we had guys like Suarez, Benzema, Neymar, peak Lewandowskis, peak Bale, and then midfielders like Iniesta, peak Modric, peak Kroos. Any of those would sweep this Ballon D'or. The only guy around who could be on the level of those forwards is Mbappe
Kane is easily on Lewandowski's level, if not above it.
 
You could say this about Neymar too before injuries zapped some of his explosion away.

He'd never hide in a game even if he wasn't playing well.
Would agree he wouldn’t hide, but he could be rough-housed out of games, more due to his slight frame than his appetite for the battle, mind, but I think this guy is something else for the abuse he gets, the way he finds a way - his problem solving brain is exceptional - and I guess a big difference between he and Neymar is Neymar being more naturally gifted, so solutions found there way to him easier than with Vinicius who sometimes will have to just grind and grind for an opening, which he’ll more often than not seize. I dunno, it’s just that ‘Will find a way’ appetite he has to be incredible and he must be the worst kind of player to go up against because he’s always thinking, always grafting, and the moment he mentally fatigues you, he’s in! Something really poetic about that to me.

It’s rare to see such relentless drive and tireless graft to force conclusions; most top players simply do it by ‘magic’ and god-given ability, eventually - Vinicius is just as likely to stumble one in as score a cracker via sheer graft. Very endearing.
 
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He's brilliant on his own terms, regardless of whether Mbappe is better or not. What a player.
 
Yes agree.

His willingness and effectiveness when pressing and counter pressing is very underrated. On top of that, his ability to constantly turn on the ball in tight spaces in disadvantageous situations to then open up the entire pitch is quite a marvel to watch. Hazard-esque.

I used to think how would a young Nani playing in a 4-3-3 grow and perform in today's game. I would look towards to Vinicius Jr as a comparison but it might be a disservice to the Brazilian, who is probably on a different level, as difficult as that is to admit.

Although the sample size is small, after Pogba, prime Nani was probably the last player we've had that I thought was truly world class with mercurial talent. How I would love to see Nani playing today in an organised setup. Imagine him isolated against a defender on the channel, having an overlapping run on the outside or midfielders to play one-twos with in tight spaces. Hm perhaps I'm doing Nani a disservice.
Nani would’ve been adored in this day and age; he really was anachronistic, as what he brought to the table is more appreciated now than it was in his own time. Him being able to play off both feet, too, would really have made him a coveted asset.
 
He actually has it all. Work rate, agility, speed, touch, flair, goals, assists and a big game player. Absolutely amazing player and would adore him if he played for my team.
 
A great player, but a real fighter to go with it. Always looking to hurt the opposition and make things as difficult for them as possible, that allied with his talent would make him a nightmare to play against.