Fully agreed! I'm also kind of done with the constant insinuations re the Arab world. I know why that is of course. I don't have to use the word, but I think you know what I mean.
I think it is more to do with the seemingly unlimited money used to break every regulation possible, buy politicians and officials and change the entire landscape of a sport. We have PSG and Man City paying players "loyalty bonsues" and wages above and below the table blowing out the financial structures of the sport to a point the biggest club can't compete. Things like that are only endearing to the fans of the club which benefit. The rest of the sport is imploding due to the insane inflation and lack of decency to not just use money to flout all rules and regulations
I appreciate it when you say it, because I believe that you are saying what you truly believe, no hidden agenda's. However, I've also seen many people (mainly outside this forum and in the media) insinuate things with a whole other (hidden) agenda.
Please. It has nothing to do with the nationality, but with the fact that this is dirty oil money which gives these states the power to do whatever they want and everybody has to accept it. Yes the players should be denounced because they are not trying to make a better life for themselves and their families, they already have a great life. Making it sound like they are somehow underprivileged is pathetic. No its just greed and the ridiculous idea that money needs to be maximized at all cost which is the cancer of this society. Its rampant out of control capitalist practices which corrupt everything, and this is at an unprecedented scale. I don't care who else did it, its still immoral and someone needs to stand up against it. We shit on Mbappe for choosing oil money over values, so I hope that Madrid's captain and legend doesn't do the same thing and play by these ridiculous rules of today. If he wants to leave he should go for a new challenge somewhere or honor Lyon by finishing his career then. Not to this mickey mouse league just to become even more filthy rich despite being a multimillionaire already.
Bro Benzema is 35 years old, his body is finished, he’s given every ounce of footballing talent to us already. Mbappe can do whatever he wants with his career. It’s fair to have an issue how he handled our offer but that’s about it. It’s all about the money for the very large majority of this world, football players rejecting insane offers to play overseas is not going to change that, why is this even being discussed?
Because it shouldn't be. And Benzema is not finished to the point of playing there. Until a couple of days ago most people were still counting him as the starter for next season and contemplating his backup.
There will always be people who hate because brown. The irony is those same people will sell all their virtue and beliefs down the road if those evil brownies give them stupid amounts of money. This is the main issue though. The sport has free fallen and will crash at some point because the rules, regulations and officials who should be guarding it have shown they only care about enriching themselves. This is why you can't begrudge when the players see this and join the parade. What makes people who have a legitimate case mad is these Arab countries know what they are doing and don't care.
On the Benzema being finished point. Yes he is, and that’s not criticism towards him, he’s one of my very top all time fave players, he’s carried us on his back for years now. If he stays next season he will start because of his name, but he is finished physically. It’s the perfect time for him to move on.
I’m not as sure as you all are that Benzema is totally finished. Would anyone be all that surprised if he came back and had a stellar season?
Even if he isn't, it's pretty obvious he can't move around as much and has developed stamina issues. No amount of comeback can defeat father time.
He’s definitely not had the best season in the past 5. I think the writing is on the wall with Benz especially how he finished the season, couple of bursts of absolute magic like the Camp Nou name and the hat trick in the game prior, and then long stretches of looking completely out of it. That’s why I feel this offer from Saudi Arabia actually comes at the perfect time for us and him.
Decline due to age happens differently for everyone; the injuries definitely are a bad sign. I think it would be a huge mistake for the club to rely on him next season, if we can get Kane that would be about the best outcome we could hope for. Endrick isn't going to be ready for a good while if ever and Haaland or Mbappe are just unrealistic targets.
Inconsistent performances are also signs of aging. Where the good games become farther and fewer in between. Like what Karim has experienced this past season. Legend. But the club needs to move forward. Just like with CR7.
CR7 was at the level for the Saudi league at ManU, Benzema still isn't there. Him going for outrageous oil money at this stage of his career would affect his legacy very negatively IMO. If he refuses it on the other hand, he will be a hero in my eyes at least.
He will accept the offer, he would be stupid not to, and if he does he leaves with his head held high. The guy stepped up massively when Ronaldo left, he has been instrumental in winning big titles against all the odds, and I don’t think he has it in him to repeat all that. This is like Casemiro, except that he’s giving us way more notice. The guy has been a great servant and deserves his payday.
Tbf Casemiro’s replacement was already at the club when we decided he wanted to leave, it wasn’t like a Xabi Alonso situation.
So many platitudes. He would be stupid not to? Why, will he be in financial ruins if he doesn't? What harm does not taking the deal cause him? If he doesn't take the deal, and leaves next season for Lyon or something like that, is he leaving with his head down? Deserves his payday? Has he's been playing for free for the last 15 years? Its a sad day for football when the reigning Balon Dor goes to Saudi Arabia for obscene money that he will basically take to his grave. I know hes not Balon Dor level anymore, but don't tell me he declined so much that hes Saudi level. IMO to have this happen in this way to one of the symbols of Madrid is just not normal. If it is, then nobody should ever call Mbappe Mbappay again.
TBH, Karim looked done for most of the season. Dude looks heavy, and I think he lacks the ambition to face yet another high-demanding season. He probably wants to have surgery on that pinky and collect some easy money while doing what he likes. He gave it all in our last double. He deserves to choose whatever he wants, and we deserve a motivated and in-form CF.
Funny you see it this way IMO this season (last season too) people were saying he’s washed up, on holiday, should sit out games and let Alvaro have a go, and generally not good enough, despite scoring 30 goals, I would imagine those people aren’t unhappy that he is leaving, just panicked by the fact that he’s apparently decided that he ‘s leaving right now and they cannot see a credible alternative Anyway Benz, I fretted when you were our 9 but didn’t score enough, you turned all that around when Ronaldo left, but I always loved your football, sublime on the ball, whatever happens, respect. I’d like to add even if we do get Kane it’s going to be interesting moving on from Benz’s football to ‘arry’s but I guess the goals are what matters most
My position even last summer was that as long as he gets enough rest he can continue playing at a high level. I wanted another elite striker but not let Benzema go. Playing him every game of the season for 90 minutes was a disastrous plan, but we went from that to the other extreme of the spectrum - just remove him altogether. Even more disastrous of a plan. Honestly all this is crazy to me. The guy was pushing to play in meaningless games in La Liga to fight for the golden boot, and he complained leaving the pitch against Chelsea. I thought he still has confidence and ambition to win at the highest level, but if money is what he's after... not much respect for that.
Just say the truth. You hate it that he is going to Saudi. If he was going to earn the same in the MLS, or Seria A we wouldn't be seeing you whinging so much about it.