Everything Soccer

[NDohio]

he's also not really universally adored in argentina. He is mocked frequently and referred to as "The Spaniard" He kinda suffers because he is not Maradona really :|

Yep. He left Argentina at such a young age, he really isn't a part of the country and it's not "home" to him.

 

[ACamp1900]

He has lived most of his life in Spain... honestly if he were American he probably would have played internationally for Spain.

 

[dublinirish]

Yep. He left Argentina at such a young age, he really isn't a part of the country and it's not "home" to him.

yup despite retaining his Argentinian accent and only shopping at Argentinian supermarkets in Barcelona! The guy can't win lol.

 

[Emcee77]

he's also not really universally adored in argentina. He is mocked frequently and referred to as "The Spaniard" He kinda suffers because he is not Maradona really :|

Right, I've read that. They don't have the same affection in Argentina that they have for other stars who came up through the Argentine clubs; Messi went to Spain at too young an age and they don't think of him as fully Argentine in his home country. Under those circumstances, I can see the temptation of saying, "screw it, if you guys keep insisting that I'm really Spanish, then maybe I'll just go back to Spain, where I'm winning titles."

 

[dublinirish]

Right, I've read that. They don't have the same affection they have for other stars who came up through the Argentine clubs; Messi went to Spain at too young an age and they don't think of him as fully Argentine in his home country.

Same thing in France. All their best young players are from the inner cities/black/muslim and they leave France generally when they are 16/17 to join English club academies. They dont live/work in France and thus are never considered French by a lot of fans there. They are millionaires too from a young age so its hard for fans to relate to them and see them as of their own stock. Also racism plays a part in it all of course

EDIT: article from NYT in 2014 on Messi and his status in Argentina
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/s...not-loved-as-much-as-diego-maradona.html?_r=0

 

[NorthDakota]

he's also not really universally adored in argentina. He is mocked frequently and referred to as "The Spaniard" He kinda suffers because he is not Maradona really :|

He is mocked because he hasn't led them to a World Cup trophy. That is it. The other stuff is almost definitely nitpicking.

 

[dublinirish]

He has lived most of his life in Spain... honestly if he were American he probably would have played internationally for Spain.

many have done that, Diego Costa for instance with Spain and practically half the Portugal team are Brazilian born but came over to join academies

 

[ACamp1900]

One thing is for sure, there are few people on the planet less fitting a sleeve tattoo...

 

[Emcee77]

I think Brazil deserves what it got with Diego Costa though. The national team basically ignored him for years, and then as the 2014 World Cup approached they panicked because they didn't have a striker. I don't blame Diego Costa for saying it was too little love too late.

This is the only time I will ever defend Diego Costa, whom I probably hate more than any athlete I've ever watched.

 

[dublinirish]

I think Brazil deserves what it got with Diego Costa though. The national team basically ignored him for years, and then as the 2014 World Cup approached they panicked because they didn't have a striker. I don't blame Diego Costa for saying it was too little love too late.

This is the only time I will ever defend Diego Costa, whom I probably hate more than any athlete I've ever watched.

Aha he's up there with Pepe in my eyes. Can't stand those two

 

[ACamp1900]

It's a little different with Messi too... I get players from the US playing for Puerto Rico or Guam because they know they'll never crack the national team, or the Portuguese players who know their odds of playing with Brazil are extremely small... even the Costa situation. Messi was a bit different, I always got the sense he was playing for Argentina because he had to. If he were in a situation with less pressure, hence my American comment, he prob would have played for Spain... that's the sense I always got anyway. I know he had the opportunity, but turned it down... who knows... interesting to think on though.

 

[ACamp1900]

Anyway, can Iceland pull off the upset and knock of the pub team all stars???

Now that's a Brexit I can't wait to see, though I'll prob have to wait until the quarters.

 

[dublinirish]

Anyway, can Iceland pull off the upset and knock of the pub team all stars???

Now that's a Brexit I can't wait to see, though I'll prob have to wait until the quarters.

aha, they have a good chance i'd say but I reckon England will take this one. Not sure Iceland can manufacture enough possession to cause England much problems. I'd say 1-0 England with a jammy late goal

 

[calvegas04]

Only time I want spain to win is now

 

[nlroma1o]

Forza Azzurri!!!! Conte had his squad playing with confidence and passion. They can play against anyone right now.

 

[dublinirish]

g'wan iceland!

 

[connor_in]

 

[ACamp1900]

Iceland?

 

[calvegas04]

Already a better match than anything ive seen out of italy or france

 

[Saint Shamrock]

Would have saved that ...

Joe & Roy , I would have saved that .

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Let's go Iceland!

 

[nlroma1o]

Already a better match than anything ive seen out of italy or france

In terms of what?

 

[gkIrish]

So many similarities between Iceland and the 2004 Greek team.

 

[ACamp1900]

Listening to these English announcers is hilarious, you'd think they were the nine time defending World Cup champs and were playing a team of amateurs or something, and they act surprised as if this hasn't happened EVERY damn tournament theyve played in during my lifetime!!!

The best thing the English can do wake the fvk up and realize they aren't that good at soccer anymore.... 'Overrated' doesn't even do the reality justice.

 

[ACamp1900]

Medical advice for the day:

If you should encounter an erection lasting more than four hours, stop watching the Iceland/England game on replay loop and take a cold shower immediately.

 

[gkIrish]

Brexit

 

[ACamp1900]

Live scenes from the English post game:

Lololol

 

[NDohio]

Island! Island! Island!

woot - woot!!

 

[ACamp1900]

Not
An
Upset

 

[Saint Shamrock]

Joe Hart still sucks

Hit the bricks Roy .

Get ta fuck .