Everything Soccer

[dublinirish]

gotta remember Messi is closely aligned financially with Qatar but City are funded by their enemies in the UAE. City and Messi isn't a simple marriage by any means

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I'd put my money on City. PSG, Juve in the next tier. I know Juve sounds crazy, but they I think I remember hearing they pulled money from Fiat. Also, it won't be as much as you think as Adidas will probably help pay his salary. Release clause probably won't be there due to wording and how this season was extended.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Whoever it is will have to shell out near €100 mil per year if he gets what he is rn at Barca. Not to mention a transfer fee and agent fees on top of that. I read he had an free opt out clause that expired in June. Not sure how COVID altered that.

How will they recoup that much per year?

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Just to throw it out there. I honestly think he stays. I think him putting this out is going to force Bartolemeu to resign. However, if he leaves. City have to be favorites, then PSG with Juve as a dark horse.

I don't know if the world would be ready to see Ronaldo and Messi on the same team... That would be insane.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Just to throw it out there. I honestly think he stays. I think him putting this out is going to force Bartolemeu to resign. However, if he leaves. City have to be favorites, then PSG with Juve as a dark horse.

I don't know if the world would be ready to see Ronaldo and Messi on the same team... That would be insane.

Whats the thinking on Juve if they still have Ronaldo and his massive wages. Weren't they looking to offload him a while ago?

I agree that City and PSG are the only ones that could afford him but I think they would be taking a bath on his wages. Not sure City could get the FFP to work for him either....wait lol.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What does Messi even have left to accomplish at the club level? With Barca, he's won: (1) the Champion's League 4 times; (2) La Liga 10 times; and (3) the Copa del Ray 6 times. Four of those seasons were doubles (won both the league and the domestic cup) and three of them were trebles (adding the Champion's League). The only thing he's lacking is a World Cup, but that's beyond his control and isn't likely to happen anyway.

If he wants to add even more hardware to his trophy cabinet, the best thing to do would be to take a free transfer to Bayern and accept whatever they're willing to offer him. But the Bundesliga is even less competitive than La Liga, playing for Bayern would be a big pay cut, and I'm not sure how Messi would fit in there or whether they'd even want him.

If he's just looking to get paid, the Premiership is likely to throw the most money at him. It would also be a change of scenery and a much more competitive league than La Liga. But I think Premiership fans generally overestimate the appeal of playing in England.

Odds are he follows the money and ends up at City. I just pray he doesn't end up at PSG.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Whats the thinking on Juve if they still have Ronaldo and his massive wages. Weren't they looking to offload him a while ago?

I agree that City and PSG are the only ones that could afford him but I think they would be taking a bath on his wages. Not sure City could get the FFP to work for him either....wait lol.

I've heard Adidas will help with the wages. Anywhere he goes, Adidas would probably make a shit ton of money just based on jersey and gear sales.

I believe I saw that Fiat helped subsidize Ronaldo's wages. I read that they went on strike regarding it at some point. Who knows, if they saw a ton of money come in with Ronaldo after they subsidized it, who says they wouldn't do the same for Messi?

 

[Rogue219]

What a feel good story it would be that the greatest player ever goes to a big club with lots of money, perhaps to the most expensive side ever assembled, and they win everything.

Just heart warming stuff.

Messi is an Adidas guy, City is a Puma club. There's a conflict. There also seems to be a debate as to whether he can walk away for nothing or if there is a buyout clause? Could get real interesting.

2020. Quite a year.

 

[Rogue219]

Why would Messi coming to city only be about money.....

He's the best player ever. The transfer fee will be enormous if there is one. Then you have to pay his weekly wages, which most people forget about.

City play one of the best brands of football the club world has ever seen, with one of the most attacking mangers in the world.
City have scored 106, 95, and 102 PL goals the last three seasons.

This is all true. They are also the most expensive side ever assembled. So those two things are both true at the same time.

What kind of attacking player would not want to play in that system?

I'm sure plenty of guys would love to go there and collect big wages to win domestic titles and not necessarily have to start. They are also under an incredible amount of pressure because of the financial resources they possess. They are the most expensive club ever assembled and they just came off winning the League Cup. Their bar is, and should be, set much higher than that. Now the best player ever comes there?

To me that means winning everything. Zero excuses.

Give me a break man. I get your a Liverpool supporter, but you have to open your mind a little bit and see City isn't just a bunch of mercenaries...but whatever.

My world football sensibilites tell me two things: Manchester City is very good and Manchester City has more financial resources than the majority of clubs in Europe. Thus, they have access to Lionel Messi. So again, two things can be true at the same time.

.

 

[dublinirish]

City play one of the best brands of football the club world has ever seen

can't agree with this. their defensive philosophy is cynical fouling up the pitch to prevent teams from counter attacking with pace. They are the masters of the dark arts. There's nothing beautiful about what they do if you take KDB out of the team

 

[Huntr]

Pissing myself laughing at the prospect of Messi at Man Utd since they are an Adidas club.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I don't think he'll go to United, nor would I want him over younger players for the price. Big names are always linked to United because Woodward loves big name players, but won't pay up. Not sure if Adidas would only help with wages if he goes to an Adidas club, or any club.

Let's say he goes to City. They'd probably have to sell a few players, so who would be out?

 

[Rogue219]

What kind of world do we live in that Messi wants to leave Barca and Man United wouldn't be the best possible fit? LOL.

 

[notredomer23]

Weston McKennie is on the move to Juventus!

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Weston McKennie is on the move to Juventus!

WUT? LOL WOW. I saw Southampton was interested. But The Old Lady?

ETA: looks like an initial loan with option to buy

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Me confirman que el Manchester City se reunira con la familia <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Messi</a> la semana próxima en Barcelona.</p>— Veronica Brunati (@verobrunati) <a href="https://twitter.com/verobrunati/status/1298633098863808517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dublinirish]

WUT? LOL WOW. I saw Southampton was interested. But The Old Lady?

ETA: looks like an initial loan with option to buy

Seria A = mid table EPL

Sure look Reading FC in the English Championship have a higher wage budget than Atalanta who made CL Quarter Finals

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Seria A = mid table EPL

Sure look Reading FC in the English Championship have a higher wage budget than Atalanta who made CL Quarter Finals

I agree Serie A is a shell of its 1990s heyday but Juve has a world class team and a new stadium that isnt a cesspool.

I watched a video on the decline of Serie A recently. Really interesting and not surprising.

 

[dublinirish]

I agree Serie A is a shell of its 1990s heyday but Juve has a world class team and a new stadium that isnt a cesspool.

I watched a video on the decline of Serie A recently. Really interesting and not surprising.

Definitely a steep decline. The corruption there killed the game really. Nobody is going to invest in a crooked league.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Definitely a steep decline. The corruption there killed the game really. Nobody is going to invest in a crooked league.

If he gets to learn from Pirlo while playing with and against Ronaldo and Dybala, its a win.

 

[Rogue219]

Let's say he goes to City. They'd probably have to sell a few players, so who would be out?

Is this a joke?

 

[Rogue219]

Weston McKennie is on the move to Juventus!

If we are interested in seeing the USMNT accomplish anything on the World stage in our lives, this is better than him being in MLS.

Rumors from Berlin to Southampton to Juventus. Life moves fast.

Yes, I would love to see this young man play for Pirlo and develop in Italy for the biggest club in the country. Hopefully he doesn't play for 3 more managers in the next five years, my fear with Chelsea and Pulisic.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Is this a joke?

Partly. They can afford him, but somebody on that team is going to want to leave if he comes. It's reportedly rumored (ESPN I think) that Barca want Gabriel Jesus to fill the Messi void.

 

[Rogue219]

Partly. They can afford him, but somebody on that team is going to want to leave if he comes. It's reportedly rumored (ESPN I think) that Barca want Gabriel Jesus to fill the Messi void.

Good for Barca. Smart play.

If it were me, do I give up ten years of Jesus for two or three of Messi playing in England full time? Probably not, considering Aguero isn't getting any younger.

Then again, I have more money than God, so I can just go get two new strikers to replace Jesus AND Aguero once Messi goes to NY to play in the MLS.

I would not be surprised if in a week or two this all blows over. Messi stays, City and Chelsea keep getting players and by November they have both left everyone else in the dust for the title race. It will save me time so I can work on my yoga.

 

[Rogue219]

What does Messi even have left to accomplish at the club level? With Barca, he's won: (1) the Champion's League 4 times; (2) La Liga 10 times; and (3) the Copa del Ray 6 times. Four of those seasons were doubles (won both the league and the domestic cup) and three of them were trebles (adding the Champion's League). The only thing he's lacking is a World Cup, but that's beyond his control and isn't likely to happen anyway.

Nothing. Best club player to have ever played. That World Cup is the glaring piece of his resume that will be missed.

If he wants to add even more hardware to his trophy cabinet, the best thing to do would be to take a free transfer to Bayern and accept whatever they're willing to offer him. But the Bundesliga is even less competitive than La Liga, playing for Bayern would be a big pay cut, and I'm not sure how Messi would fit in there or whether they'd even want him.

Just doesn't seem like a fit. It's amazing to be typing that. Five years ago saying that required a straight jacket.

If he's just looking to get paid, the Premiership is likely to throw the most money at him. It would also be a change of scenery and a much more competitive league than La Liga. But I think Premiership fans generally overestimate the appeal of playing in England.

Not so much the appeal, but the money is there and the competition. Plus the TV access in America has grown substantially with NBC. Now if he's playing for City, those trips down to London are going to suck and there is that wonderful away match at Burnley everyone loves so much, so yes, it is far more competitive. However, with City he's going to be surrounded by good players.

Odds are he follows the money and ends up at City. I just pray he doesn't end up at PSG.

I hope he doesn't go to either. I hope he stays at Barca and gets the sendoff he deserves there. For his club career to end any other way would be disappointing, at least for the sports romantic in me. I'd rather not see him come to City only to finish 12 points behind Liverpool.

Cheers

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Partly. They can afford him, but somebody on that team is going to want to leave if he comes. It's reportedly rumored (ESPN I think) that Barca want Gabriel Jesus to fill the Messi void.

Silva is done right? I think he is off to Qatar. Fernandihno has got to have 1-2 lives left and his utility as a CB is over. I think there is room for an overhaul of their squad. Messi will score goals and impact games for sure. I sit worth the outrageous wages? not for me but I am not a billionaire either.

 

[fightingirish26]

Silva is done right? I think he is off to Qatar. Fernandihno has got to have 1-2 lives left and his utility as a CB is over. I think there is room for an overhaul of their squad. Messi will score goals and impact games for sure. I sit worth the outrageous wages? not for me but I am not a billionaire either.

Qatar? Back to LaLiga

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Qatar? Back to LaLiga

An article from June had him going to a Qatari team. If that changed I missed it and I apologize.

 

[dublinirish]

Qatar? Back to LaLiga

yup he wanted to return to his boyhood club Valencia but they said no thanks so he signed for Real Sociedad after being in talks with Lazio.