General FIFA World Cup 2026 Discussion

And doesnt include all the Ballon.

Messi has completed football, but sadly for the haters he's also good at completing a sidequests.

 

Off topic, as non native Argentina fan, I find it a bit peculiar that there's alot more Argentina supporters waving Diego's flag/banner than Messi, even after Messi finally won the WC.

 

Diego is a mythical figure, speaking personally, I will always have him above Messi. Again this is just my view on this as I don't want people going mad, but I think the fact that Diego was a flawed human being helps me to relate to him more than I can to Messi who seems almost perfect, which none of us human being are. The fact that Maradona grew up in such poverty and, for good and bad, reflected Argentinian society, where as Messi left for Spain aged 12 I think means the average Argentinian relates more to Maradona. That's just my tuppence worth. But for me both are the 2 greatest football players of all time, Messi in a way is Maradona without the madness, but the madness is what makes people love Diego. I'll shut up now.

 

Tbh I like Messi more now personally I think he's a better example for everyone and has been at the peak far longer, but Maradona connects with the Argentinian psyche much more for better or worse. It's very understandable why for the reasons Leon stated. Also Diego is just more of a symbol in the way he played, the goals he scored against England, the way he had to persevere in the face of such violent tackles. Even though I like Messi more I think it's more inspiring to wave a Maradona flag because of what it stands for. If you wave a Messi flag it mostly speaks to his sheer excellence, not so much like "Cmon boys let's FIGHT"

 

I'll add maybe it'll change once he retires. I think if you wanted to make Messi more of a symbol you'd make a flag of his "anda pa alla bobo" moment, to me that was kind of the turning point where everyone kind of realized "oh shit, he's got a fiery side to him too" and could relate a little more, lol.

 

the younger generation of argentines relate more with messi not with maradona and it's just a generational thing

 

Another one in their mum's basement.

 

We shouldn't forget Alfredo di Stefano who made Real Madrid. All his contemporaries and those who watched him talk about his amazing ball control, passing and striking and comfort anywhere on the pitch.

But of course there is a period of living memory and he has virtually passed out of it now. Would be nice to have a tifo of all three giants.

 

Can't believe Kayembe is starting for the DRC. An appalling player......

 

It's incredible how many people still think Ronaldo is somehow anywhere near Messi. These people have no idea about football.

As Cruyff said there is a huge difference between a great player and a great goal scorer. Messi is both.

Ronaldo like Muller is the other.

 

Poor from DRC. Penned in their own half.

 

Muller has won every major titles that CR won plus the WC. His scoring ratio is 0.9 which is much higher than CR. Yet, we dont hear people boosting about his stats because football fans back in the day didnt put much attention to that.

Unless we're using a direct stats to compare , Messi G + A ratio per game is at 1.2! CR is at 0.9, not even close.

Majority of footballing greats picked Messi as the real goat because Messi elevates his team while CR constantly needs to be served by his team.

 

Portugal are a good side. People should just admit it. But there is so much hate for Cristiano, it's difficult to root for them. I know there is this REAL fear for Portugal to win it for many, particularly we may face them in the quarters if things play out the way they do.

 

Its Congo, what d'ya expect... We;ve seen England and Portugal thrashing teams like Panama and North Korea but it led into nothing.

 

Embarrassing from Neto. Clutching his throat.

 

Its ridiculous!! >And theres so much hate (jealousy maybe?) towards Messi still!! Specially from european and latinamericans nations that arent argentina, thats why it seems jealous. Europe resents Messi cos he ends that eurocentric futbol bullshit, and they know in a remote country in the southern hemisphere, the 2 biggest players to ever play the game were born (and you can add pele to that, 3). They cant deal with the fact that Messi is so above everyone else. And latinamericans are frankly jealous that Messi has been dogwalking all their countries in every tournament or game for the last 20 years, since Messi started playing. So they like to downgrade him saying he gets help from the referees (wtf).

Penaldo is european so easier for europeans to digest, and LATAM Messi haters get behind his marketed hype to downgrade Messi and get this BS conversation going on "whos the goat, penaldo or messi" when theres no statistic, number, achievement, win or hystorical milestone to back that up even remotely.

Anyways.

 

Wissa 1-1. Deserved.

 

LOL, Congo ties portugal

 

If we do end up playing this lot they are weak aerially without Dias.

 

Beautiful goal, Congo!

 

Plenty of European fans support Messi. It's just we have the Penaldo fan club. Either Portuguese, Sporting Lisbon or Manchester United fans.

 

The problem is, CR fans is loud & vocal and they're mostly basement dwellers that adds nothing to discussion on the net. Its nothing but "fifa helped argentina" type of sh!t. Imagine having the audacity of saying that while your idol scores 30 penalties since moving to Arab & 180 penalties overall.

CR pretended that he respect Messi when he won Euro & CL in 2016, saying he feels sad for Messi when he lost in another final with his country. I'm sure he never expect Messi went on to win WC & 2 CA & few more Ballon. When that happened all he did was throwing shades at Messi in interviews & never attended Ballon ceremony whenever he wasnt the winner. Not even when his former teammate Modric won it.

I'll never forget their fanbase continously posted that pic of Messi crying in CA final.

 

Off the post this time. DRC looking dangerous.