10 - Lionel Messi - v5

[bismp]

I am really hoping that he’ll get the WC this summer(and the CL),even if it meant his retirement.

 

[Stoichkov1]

He was celebrating before Barça fans, nothing disrespectful in what he's done.

Nope, he was in front of real madrid fans and only after he dedicated his goal to the barca fans.

 

[mssarm]

Messi, the ogre of Real Madrid. Marca is recognizing that Lio is the ruler of Bernabeu..loved it

http://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2017/12/24/5a3fa65ce5fdeac36b8b45d0.html

 

[Ritchie]

PSG will slaughter Real Madrid on the counter attack, and yes Brazil have won on European soil (which doesn't matter one jot anyway), past is the past.

Right now PSG and Brazil are up there with favourites to win the CL/WC. Messi is going to have to pull a rabbit out his ass to win Argentina the trophy, not to mention dragging the current Barca side to CL victory. Dembele needs to seriously hit the ground running if that's a possibility, his pace is going to be absolutely crucial.

Ronaldo or Neymar will win it depending on who wins that tie.

Unless Argentina win the World Cup.

 

[Ousmane Dembélé]

Messi is never winning a Ballon D'or again unless the board gets it's act together in the summer or Argentina pulls a rabbit outta their ass.

 

[GOAT_SUAREZ]

Messi is never winning a Ballon D'or again unless the board gets it's act together in the summer or Argentina pulls a rabbit outta their ass.

You can forget Argentina but he can win BDor next year and the year after.

 

[jamrock]

He will win it 1 more time minimum, 100 % sure of that

 

[Horatio]

Reading the 'rabbit outta his ass' metaphor all too often now. Disturbing...

 

[henias]

Messi is never winning a Ballon D'or again unless the board gets it's act together in the summer or Argentina pulls a rabbit outta their ass.

Higuain says hi. He will be the unlikely hero for Argentina next year

 

[Windhook]

The last time Messi and Barcelona won Champions League in World Cup year was 2006. Of course his involvement was cut short due to an injury and couldn't play after the 1/8 finals (vs. Chelsea)

 

[D10S_]

Higuain says hi. He will be the unlikely hero for Argentina next year

Higuain is the reason why Argentina does not win the World Cup for all this time.

[youtube]CX_k3s8nD9I[/youtube]

 

[BBZ8800]

Fantastic news for Brazilians because Russia isn't part of Europe.

European teams usually play the best on a European continent, due to a familiar climate and on European WCs, usually 6 quarterfinalists are lately from Europe.
On the other hand, when WCs are played in South America, Asia or Africa, European teams usually play horrible and are not used to a different climate (since 99% of players from European NT have played their whole career only in European countries).

Brasilian and Argentinian players are both used to play both in South America and in Europe.
But still, in short:
When a WC is in South America/Asia/Africa: Brasil and Argentina will usually have only 1-2 European opponents who will be able to overcome climate problems.
But when a WC is in Europe, Brasil and Argentina will have 5-6-7-8-9-10 strong European teams as opponents who will play at 100% (usually: Italy, Germany, Spain, France, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Belgium) and they can get knocked out by any of them.

So, when a WC is in SA/Asia/Africa, a winner will be: Brasil/Argentina or 1-2 European teams
When a WC is in Europe, a winner will be: Brasil/Argentina or 5-6 European powerhouses plus, 3-4 European teams can cause huge problems (Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark etc).

Stats:
Quarterfinals:
2014, Brasil:
European teams (4): France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium
Non-European (4): Brasil, Argentina, Colombia, Costarica

2010, South Africa:
European (3): Netherlands, Germany, Spain
Non-European (5): Brazil, Uruguay, Ghana, Argentina, Paraguay

2006, Germany, European soil:
European (6): Germany, Italy, Ukraine, England, Portugal, France
Non-European (2): Brazil, Argentina (lol)

2002, Korea&Japan:
European (4): Germany, Spain, England, Turkey
Non-European (4): Brazil, South Korea, USA, Senegal

1998, France, European soil:
European (6): Italy, France, Germany, Croatia, Netherlands, Denmark
Non-European (2): Brazil&Argentina

1990, Italy, European soil:
European (6): Germany, England, Italy, Yugoslavia, Ireland, Czech
Non-European (2): Argentina, Cameroon

So, last 3 world cups in Europe:
Quarterfinals were: 6:2, 6:2 and 6:2 for European teams. With non european teams in quarters: Brasil, Brasil, Argentina, Argentina, Argentina and Cameroon.

While, last 3 World cups outside Europe:
European vs Non-European quarterfinalists: 4:4, 3:5, 4:4

When playing outside of Europe, lots of European teams are all over the place.
They can't cope physically on other continents and they often play like a total garbage.
While, again, on European soil, at least 10 European teams can knock out Brasil and Argentina in any match of KO rounds.

 

[Horatio]

I think if there is any advantage to be gained it's mostly psychological(I am playing in my home country, continent) or supporters being closer to the WC and being able to attend more easily.

 

[Barcaman]

The last time Messi and Barcelona won Champions League in World Cup year was 2006. Of course his involvement was cut short due to an injury and couldn't play after the 1/8 finals (vs. Chelsea)

We can do it again!

 

[Horatio]