All eyes on Argentina

atypical_boro

atypical_boro

Well-known member
As well as the fact that Mbappe will already be viewed to have reached almost Pele levels if he wins a second World Cup before his 24th birthday, Messi bagging one would probably put him above Maradona and Ronaldo in terms of international/club achievements as a combination, with only the Babe Ruth figure of Pele really able to claim he has achieved more at international level (yet).

But as well as this, short of a huge upset in the other semi, Argentina failing tonight would mean 9 of the last 10 finalists have been European. The previous 10 finalists only had 5 from Europe, and the 18 before that only 11.

Since Brazil in 2002, all winners have been European, but in the 17 World Cups prior, South America had actually won 9 to Europe's 8.

Is there a risk that the 48-team World Cup could slowly just become a glitzier version of the European Championships, hosted in other continents, with a few guest appearances from around the world?
 
Hoping Argentina go all the way.

Partly for Messi, partly so there's not another country equal to England in success.

We're still 1 of only 8 winners, despite it being 55 years ago.

Croatia winning the full thing would probably be the most impressive win in the history of the competition though.
Obviously the Uruguayan titles came in the strange early years period, so it was less of an underdog story.
 
TeaCider said:
Hoping Argentina go all the way.

Partly for Messi, partly so there's not another country equal to England in success.

We're still 1 of only 8 winners, despite it being 55 years ago.

Croatia winning the full thing would probably be the most impressive win in the history of the competition though.
Obviously the Uruguayan titles came in the strange early years period, so it was less of an underdog story.
Click to expand...
56 years. And a half. 🤣 :) 😎
 
TeaCider said:
Hoping Argentina go all the way.

Partly for Messi, partly so there's not another country equal to England in success.

We're still 1 of only 8 winners, despite it being 55 years ago.

Croatia winning the full thing would probably be the most impressive win in the history of the competition though.
Obviously the Uruguayan titles came in the strange early years period, so it was less of an underdog story.
Click to expand...
Yes Uruguay won one at home, before England entered, then another one won in Brazil that wasn't a knockout tournament. It was strange, BUT Uruguay have 15 Copa America and until last year that was the outright most. 6 more than Brazil!

Croatia or Morocco winning would be amazing but I think I'd just be overwhelmed with jealousy to be honest. I would be happier for Messi to win it, or dare I say even France.
 
Croatia have been pretty fortunate to get as far. Weren't they very close to elimination in the group stage? Their mentality has to be admired as does the clear identify they have. Argentina have the better players in my opinion and should have too much.
 
Nero said:
Croatia have been pretty fortunate to get as far. Weren't they very close to elimination in the group stage? Their mentality has to be admired as does the clear identify they have. Argentina have the better players in my opinion and should have too much.
Click to expand...
We said that about Brazil against Croatia but look what happened.
 
atypical_boro said:
As well as the fact that Mbappe will already be viewed to have reached almost Pele levels if he wins a second World Cup before his 24th birthday, Messi bagging one would probably put him above Maradona and Ronaldo in terms of international/club achievements as a combination, with only the Babe Ruth figure of Pele really able to claim he has achieved more at international level (yet).

But as well as this, short of a huge upset in the other semi, Argentina failing tonight would mean 9 of the last 10 finalists have been European. The previous 10 finalists only had 5 from Europe, and the 18 before that only 11.

Since Brazil in 2002, all winners have been European, but in the 17 World Cups prior, South America had actually won 9 to Europe's 8.

Is there a risk that the 48-team World Cup could slowly just become a glitzier version of the European Championships, hosted in other continents, with a few guest appearances from around the world?
Click to expand...
Their best players are now sprinkled around European leagues and have much less time together. In the 20th century, Brazil used to organise domestic competitions around the WC. They'd sometimes have 6 weeks with the players before tournaments.
 
JackG said:
Their best players are now sprinkled around European leagues and have much less time together. In the 20th century, Brazil used to organise domestic competitions around the WC. They'd sometimes have 6 weeks with the players before tournaments.
Click to expand...
Thats a really good point. The mystique of South American football is not so much these days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top