Lionel Messi to MLS?.. The Saga Starts Part 1 [R]

Those guys are lucky. Vancouver was killing them in the 2nd half, blood in the water, and Miami could barely get the ball let alone threaten to score. Then the turnover, counter and goal completely against the run of play. Vancouver’s center midfield was completely dominating Busquets and De Paul. And Busquets got away with a dirty cynical trip on Sabbi or Ahmad (?) as he was barreling into the box. Should have received a yellow for it but they called a fouls on Falcons instead who was bodying on the other side.

 

Miami also committed a pk on the left hand-side of the box and were graced.

I'm surprised the referee didn't got to the VAR.

 

Yep, gotta push the myth of Busquets and Alba "riding off into the sunset".

This is the frustrating thing for me about AI and image manipulation in general. What interests me about photography is how it presents the wonder of the real world. If it's not the real world, then the "wonder" is gone, and it's something else - just - how can we invent an image that's interesting in a some way, which is also a legitimate pursuit but it's a different kind of thing. That's why I want to see labeling for all produced artwork, whether it's still images, video, music, etc. Is it "all natural", "manipulated / hybrid", or entirely generated. We should be able to know and then to make our own choices, just like we should be able to know if a diamond is lab grown or mined before we make a purchase decision.

This is why I refuse to be subject to social media "algorithms" and instead choose to see only what I want to see (e.g. "friends feed" in facebook vs. algorithm). I got tired of seeing fake images of Mars and unbelievable fake images of fall colors, etc. There's no fun in that. People are just trying to trick us for views = $. I'd love to see an image of Mars or fall colors, but I want it to be real.

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Thanks! I feel better now.

 

Wow, great photo. Did you get paid for use of it?

That's the other downside of the proliferation of fake / AI photos. It's not just that fake photos are believed to be real, but also that real photos are believed to be fake. And propagandists will use both facets - fake stuff will be sold as real, and real stuff will be sold as fake. That way you can never lose. There's no objective reality to get in the way of the propaganda.

 

Queen Bee today!!

 

Lionel Messi's tour of India kicked off chaotically as fans threw objects, ripped up seats and invaded the pitch at Kolkata's Salt Lake stadium after the Argentine football great made only a brief appearance at a ticketed event.



Satadru Dutta, the event's chief organiser, has been detained by police, according to Rajeev Kumar, director general of West Bengal police.

Messi was scheduled for a 45-minute visit to the stadium, but his appearance lasted just 20 minutes. Tickets for the event were priced from around 3500 rupees ($66.59) - more than half of average weekly income in India - but one fan said he had paid $224.

Football: Indian fans riot after Messi visit to Kolkata | RNZ News https://share.google/dQhBCXo32nSQbktUc

 

The most populated country in the world run by a third world government, I mean what could possibly go wrong. I'm shocked I tell you. Never saw this coming.

 

Why do they keep doing this - these Messi world tours that end in disaster? Oh that’$ right, I know the rea$on$. Let the guy take a few weeks off?

 

West Bengal has a long history of riots, including 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, April and June 2025, primarily ethnic but not always. It's like the France of India.

 

Man I agree. Not sure what the deal is. Obviously money is probably the number one reason but c'mon it's not like Messi needs it. He's got a big portfolio of hotels, restaurants etc. on top of the millions he's made by playing and marketing.
I think he probably felt obligated somewhat to go after they built that massive statue of him. Which is very random.

 

So thousands paid $65+ a ticket, which I'm guessing is a lot of money in India. When Messi did his lap he was surrounded by politicians and celebrities meaning the fans couldn't see him. That's what started the unrest and cutting the lap short as a result only made things worse. They do seem to like him there.

 

Yes. India has had love for Argentinian fútbol for a long time. They also loved Maradona. My wife works from home and one of her co-worker is from India. During the last WC everytime Argentina played her husband would dress up in all Argentina gear from head to toe to cheer. I found it crazy but also made me happy that people living so far away and with such different cultures can actually feel connected to a team like that.

 

This is interesting. I was wondering why Calcutta would build a 70 ft high statue of Messi.

 

Lionel Messi has a ‘nasty side’ & enjoys ‘verbals’ with MLS rivals - with opponent in America explaining why Argentine GOAT is ‘best player ever’