World Cup '26 qualifiers discussion

[Maradona37]

The likes of Vitinha, Neves, Mendes, Conceicao and Neto are better than their counterparts in 2022. Costa is more experienced too in GK.

It doesn't matter. The Ronaldo and Martinez factors are much more important, as I said.

Conceicao and Neto are good players but hardly superstars who lead teams to world titles. This is what I mean with overrating their players.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

We heard all this about Portugal before every tournament and they always underperformed. They underperformed in 2016 too, they just got lucky.

We heard this before Euro 2024 - 'Portugal are a real threat' 'watch out for Portugal'. I wrote them off and was right to do so.

Every time they play a top team in the knockout stage Ronaldo is invisible and they go out.

Dont forget to add Spain and Germany in this year 😄😄

 

[Maradona37]

Dont forget to add Spain and Germany in this year 😄😄

Except Spain and Germany have a (recent) history of winning. Portugal do not. And I would back both to beat Portugal in a big knockout game, as they have plenty of times before.

Germany were world champions in recent past thanks to sorting their youth and Spain have had their golden era since the Barca revolution.

What similar circumstances do fucking Portugal have?

 

[soul24rage]

It doesn't matter. The Ronaldo and Martinez factors are much more important, as I said.

Conceicao and Neto are good players but hardly superstars who lead teams to world titles. This is what I mean with overrating their players.

It does matter as the supply line to CR7 is better which is what CR7 relies upon. The weakness of CR7 is the same as that of 2022.

Martinez is an important factor (still can't fathom playing Neves at RB), but don't think Santos was that much better in 2022.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

The likes of Vitinha, Neves, Mendes, Conceicao and Neto are better than their counterparts in 2022. Costa is more experienced too in GK.

Trincao also a super-sub

Except Spain and Germany have a (recent) history of winning. Portugal do not. And I would back both to beat Portugal in a big knockout game, as they have plenty of times before.

Germany were world champions in recent past thanks to sorting their youth and Spain have had their golden era since the Barca revolution.

What similar circumstances do fucking Portugal have?

I trust MaTs to beat Germany

History is made to be written! Nobody believed in us to win EURO or Nations league 2x.

I dont like south america teams, wouldnt surprise me if we lose vs Brazil, Uru or Argentina. Hoping for european teams, siu.

 

[Maradona37]

It does matter as the supply line to CR7 is better which is what CR7 relies upon. The weakness of CR7 is the same as that of 2022.

Martinez is an important factor (still can't fathom playing Neves at RB), but don't think Santos was that much better in 2022.

It matters but what is more important is that Ronaldo and/or Martinez will find a way to fuck it up, I feel.

true, Santos isn't great, but they failed then too anyway.

I just feel we hear about them before every tournament and every time they underperform (even when they won something). Like England before 2018.

 

[Maradona37]

Trincao also a super-sub

I trust MaTs to beat Germany

History is made to be written! Nobody believed in us to win EURO or Nations league 2x.

I dont like south america teams, wouldnt surprise me if we lose vs Brazil, Uru or Argentina. Hoping for european teams, siu.

Fair enough young man.

Thanks for taking the banter in good spirits.

 

[soul24rage]

It matters but what is more important is that Ronaldo and/or Martinez will find a way to fuck it up, I feel.

true, Santos isn't great, but they failed then too anyway.

I just feel we hear about them before every tournament and every time they underperform (even when they won something). Like England before 2018.

Yeah, I do feel that Martinez will be the crucial factor, which is why I don't have Portugal as one of the favorites.

De La Fuente is the other reason why I have Argentina above Spain.

If Portugal had Scaloni, it might be a different story.

 

[Maradona37]

Yeah, I do feel that Martinez will be the crucial factor, which is why I don't have Portugal as one of the favorites.

De La Fuente is the other reason why I have Argentina above Spain.

If Portugal had Scaloni, it might be a different story.

Fair play mate.

Maybe Portugal could do it. However, I think it would require the stars aligning and would be more of an upset than some reckon it would be.