The official FIFA World Cup 2018 thread

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by DARK_KNIGHT

Would you consider that a smart investment? Or is he past his prime?

For Italy, it would prove to be a crucial investment in the entirety of its futbol community. He may be slowing down, but his brand recognition is still very strong, incredibly strong seeing as some rightly consider him top 3 of all time in the sport. Italy could definitely use the boost considering the missed World Cup this year. Ronaldo would bring so much more than just talent to Juve. I think he brings hope to a country where little exists right now at a Champions League level, World Cup level, and rising talent level. And the exposure for Juve doesn't hurt. Whatever protection Italy can offer Ronaldo that Spain has not, the ROI will be net positive.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

Sorry to change the topic once again, but the rumors are very strong and growing that Ronaldo is going to Juventus. Juve would sell Higuain, Rugani, and Sturaro to make room financially for Ronaldo's 30 million euro a year salary through 2022.

He would be facing some of the most defensive oriented football in the world. That should be interesting to watch, especially to see how he would compare to what we consider the "real" Ronaldo.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by kauebm

He would be facing some of the most defensive oriented football in the world. That should be interesting to watch, especially to see how he would compare to what we consider the "real" Ronaldo.

Indeed. But it should liven it up for Italians, help the ratings, get money flowing.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

Indeed. But it should liven it up for Italians, help the ratings, get money flowing.

Agreed. This move would be very interesting to follow. I confess that when I first read about it, my impression was that it didn't make much sense, as the bigger bucks are usually in other national leagues. If he does go to Italy in the end, though, I'll be very curious to see what he does there.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Agreed. This move would be very interesting to follow. I confess that when I first read about it, my impression was that it didn't make much sense, as the bigger bucks are usually in other national leagues. If he does go to Italy in the end, though, I'll be very curious to see what he does there.

I think it makes perfect sense.

According to Forbes Ronaldo made $50m in endorsements last year so whatever his salary he’ll be making a good deal more on top of it. Plus, let’s face it after more than a decade at the top of the game, he’s made more than enough!

But the interesting thing is the playing side. Ronaldo is past his peak. It’s actually remarkable and a tribute to his greatness that he can again score 40+ goals and win the Champions League despite being an old man in football terms. He has gone on record saying he wants to play until he’s 40 and I believe him. The catch is, there is no way he could play on that long in Spain, England or Germany - those leagues are too aerobically challenging to allow a really old man to play on that long at a top team and Ronaldo won’t settle for playing for a mid-table side. Series A though is a slow, technical league which really is a country for old men - Totti retired last year aged 40, Maldini a few years ago aged 41. Ronaldo won’t have to run around much and can prolong his career there. He is also obsessed with his legacy, so winning the CL with a third side would enhance his further. Though Juve won’t be favourites for the competition, they will be contenders.

Like you, I don’t know how well he’ll do. Forwards just don’t score as many goals there as they do in Spain or England. Though I’m not his biggest fan, I think his work ethic and determination to be as absolutely good as he could possibly be is just incredible (and always has been) and in that specific regard, he is unquestionably the best in history.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I think it makes perfect sense.

According to Forbes Ronaldo made $50m in endorsements last year so whatever his salary he’ll be making a good deal more on top of it. Plus, let’s face it after more than a decade at the top of the game, he’s made more than enough!

But the interesting thing is the playing side. Ronaldo is past his peak. It’s actually remarkable and a tribute to his greatness that he can again score 40+ goals and win the Champions League despite being an old man in football terms. He has gone on record saying he wants to play until he’s 40 and I believe him. The catch is, there is no way he could play on that long in Spain, England or Germany - those leagues are too aerobically challenging to allow a really old man to play on that long at a top team and Ronaldo won’t settle for playing for a mid-table side. Series A though is a slow, technical league which really is a country for old men - Totti retired last year aged 40, Maldini a few years ago aged 41. Ronaldo won’t have to run around much and can prolong his career there. He is also obsessed with his legacy, so winning the CL with a third side would enhance his further. Though Juve won’t be favourites for the competition, they will be contenders.

Like you, I don’t know how well he’ll do. Forwards just don’t score as many goals there as they do in Spain or England. Though I’m not his biggest fan, I think his work ethic and determination to be as absolutely good as he could possibly be is just incredible (and always has been) and in that specific regard, he is unquestionably the best in history.

You make some good points.

One thing that seems to be unquestionable to me is that, apart from the discussion around who is the most talented or skillful player, Ronaldo is, by a very large margin, the world's greatest football athlete. His commitment and drive to be the best is the stuff of movie theaters. This will likely take him to his goal (no pun intended) of playing until 40 in a level that few - if any - have achieved.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Ronaldo = LeBron
Both 33
Both peaking at their age
Making huge wages with endorsements added as side money

Neymar Jr. will do the same

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Ronaldo is, by a very large margin, the world's greatest football athlete.

I cannot agree. I think right now he's showing a little more than Messi, but Messi's stats are pretty ridiculous, too. With the exception of one or two stats, Messi leads. You can side by side at messivsronaldo.net

Is Ronaldo better this year by a decent margin? Yes. But I dare say Messi carried Barcelona more than Ronaldo had to carry Real Madrid over the years. Messi has needed a bit more the last two years from teammates Suarez and Neymar (not much help from the latter), but I think Messi is burning out a bit faster due to the demand on him throughout his career. I'm amazed how these guys can play this sport at that level for so long.

Lastly, I like Messi as a man far more so than I do Ronaldo. More humble, less talk, less showboat, more results-will-speak-for-me type. I see it near even now where Messi had for me a clear lead. I suppose we'll see how their careers end.

[Castlesinthesky]

Stats don't tell it all. Messi has the luxury of the whole team being organized around him, he even has a lot of influence over team selection. imo Ronaldo is a far more complete player.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

I cannot agree. I think right now he's showing a little more than Messi, but Messi's stats are pretty ridiculous, too. With the exception of one or two stats, Messi leads. You can side by side at messivsronaldo.net

Is Ronaldo better this year by a decent margin? Yes. But I dare say Messi carried Barcelona more than Ronaldo had to carry Real Madrid over the years. Messi has needed a bit more the last two years from teammates Suarez and Neymar (not much help from the latter), but I think Messi is burning out a bit faster due to the demand on him throughout his career. I'm amazed how these guys can play this sport at that level for so long.

Lastly, I like Messi as a man far more so than I do Ronaldo. More humble, less talk, less showboat, more results-will-speak-for-me type. I see it near even now where Messi had for me a clear lead. I suppose we'll see how their careers end.

I should probably let the man speak for himself. It’s a tired debate but FWIW I think Messi is the superior footballer.

We’re effectively splitting the difference between God and Jehovah here but Messi is technically more gifted and has more natural talent. Nevertheless I completely agree with Kaue, Ronaldo is the superior athlete. In his prime stronger, faster and more powerful (he’s still stronger and more powerful, but maybe not faster). That’s how he could make up versus Messi what he lacked in ultimate talent. Just to be clear here, Ronaldo is more gifted than all but a handful of players in my lifetime, I’m absolutely not saying he is a talentless clogger. But he made himself far better than he would otherwise have been had he had the mentality of an average footballer, through sheer hard work. Ronaldo’s true genius is in his mind rather than his feet.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

I cannot agree. I think right now he's showing a little more than Messi, but Messi's stats are pretty ridiculous, too. With the exception of one or two stats, Messi leads. You can side by side at messivsronaldo.net

Is Ronaldo better this year by a decent margin? Yes. But I dare say Messi carried Barcelona more than Ronaldo had to carry Real Madrid over the years. Messi has needed a bit more the last two years from teammates Suarez and Neymar (not much help from the latter), but I think Messi is burning out a bit faster due to the demand on him throughout his career. I'm amazed how these guys can play this sport at that level for so long.

Lastly, I like Messi as a man far more so than I do Ronaldo. More humble, less talk, less showboat, more results-will-speak-for-me type. I see it near even now where Messi had for me a clear lead. I suppose we'll see how their careers end.

That is not what I meant. If I was on the computer, I'd have used italics to emphasize the word "athlete", but on tapatalk I don't remember how to do it.

The point of my last post was that, aside all discussion regarding skill and who the actual best player is, Ronaldo is, in my opinion and by a large margin, the greatest athlete. His dedication to his physical condition, his healthy lifestyle and correspondent discipline are all unmatched in football, imo.

[tudorbaja27]

I'll believe it when I see it. in the meantime, Hala Madrid! (I don't think he's going anywhere, much less Juve)

[KBM]

Dammit. Still 24h to go. How anyone can be productive during the WC is a mystery to me.

[dmash]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/artic...d-54d3e25ed17f


I was watching a regular German news channel (that never reports on Sports) last night......and even they were making fun of this in the break. The coverage he is currently getting is nothing short of unbelievable








excited for tomorrow, going to be a good way to start of the weekend!

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Dammit. Still 24h to go. How anyone can be productive during the WC is a mystery to me.

Vacation. That’s the secret.

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I should probably let the man speak for himself. It’s a tired debate but FWIW I think Messi is the superior footballer.

We’re effectively splitting the difference between God and Jehovah here but Messi is technically more gifted and has more natural talent. Nevertheless I completely agree with Kaue, Ronaldo is the superior athlete. In his prime stronger, faster and more powerful (he’s still stronger and more powerful, but maybe not faster). That’s how he could make up versus Messi what he lacked in ultimate talent. Just to be clear here, Ronaldo is more gifted than all but a handful of players in my lifetime, I’m absolutely not saying he is a talentless clogger. But he made himself far better than he would otherwise have been had he had the mentality of an average footballer, through sheer hard work. Ronaldo’s true genius is in his mind rather than his feet.

The above is what I understood too. Being a more complete athlete. I work in anti-aging medicine and TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) + HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

One can be a better player and the other can be a superior athlete.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by kauebm

That is not what I meant. If I was on the computer, I'd have used italics to emphasize the word "athlete", but on tapatalk I don't remember how to do it.

The point of my last post was that, aside all discussion regarding skill and who the actual best player is, Ronaldo is, in my opinion and by a large margin, the greatest athlete. His dedication to his physical condition, his healthy lifestyle and correspondent discipline are all unmatched in football, imo.

Understood. I suppose I could agree with that. Messi doesn't showcase his training regimen but I'm sure you don't become the talk of GOAT without some serious dedication there, either. It can't all be natural talent.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Vacation. That’s the secret.

I definitely should have thought of that. At least now I have a plan for 2022.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

It can't all be natural talent.

Most of the time there is a good amount of effort involved as well, of course.

Perhaps I'm particularly touched by this aspect because we've had some classical examples (Garrincha and Adriano "the emperor" immediately spring to mind) of players that were pure geniuses in their respective positions but put other not so healthy habits before the game and, as a consequence, either retired way too early or didn't fulfill their full potential.

Adriano still managed a comeback to win a national championship for Flamengo, for which I'll be eternally grateful (Vai, Mengo!!), but man, he could have been up there with the all time best strikers if the he the focus and discipline Ronaldo showcases.

[77T]

Originally Posted by DARK_KNIGHT

The above is what I understood too. Being a more complete athlete. I work in anti-aging medicine and TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) + HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

One can be a better player and the other can be a superior athlete.

Would those therapies pass FIFA anti-doping regulations?
https://resources.fifa.com/image/upl...ad2vilzkteqhn9

[SpeakWithMichael]

The news around Juventus today (all signs point to Ronaldo transfer being done):

Asamoah, the Juve midfielder, was released two days ago to Inter. I believe Juve is going to make a move for a top midfielder the likes of Paulinho from Barcelona.

Allegri, the boss at Juve, has stayed on at Juve despite Arsenal, Chelsea, and even Real Madrid wanting him to coach the team because he was promised that Ronaldo was going to be pursued very heavily. He will stay on to spearhead the organization of the club around Ronaldo. And stay he has.

Chelsea has reached an agreement today for Higuain from Juventus for £53m.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

The news around Juventus today (all signs point to Ronaldo transfer being done):

Asamoah, the Juve midfielder, was released two days ago to Inter. I believe Juve is going to make a move for a top midfielder the likes of Paulinho from Barcelona.

Allegri, the boss at Juve, has stayed on at Juve despite Arsenal, Chelsea, and even Real Madrid wanting him to coach the team because he was promised that Ronaldo was going to be pursued very heavily. He will stay on to spearhead the organization of the club around Ronaldo. And stay he has.

Chelsea has reached an agreement today for Higuain from Juventus for £53m.

I know Ronaldo pulls this stuff every year to get a better contract but it does look like this transfer may well be happening. From his words after the CL final it did seem like he wanted out.

I wonder if the last bit you posted happens it will mean Morata will get onto the transfer merry-go-round this Summer. Chelsea only need one striker plus a backup. Not sure Alvaro wants to be the latter.

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I know Ronaldo pulls this stuff every year to get a better contract but it does look like this transfer may well be happening. From his words after the CL final it did seem like he wanted out.

I wonder if the last bit you posted happens it will mean Morata will get onto the transfer merry-go-round this Summer. Chelsea only need one striker plus a backup. Not sure Alvaro wants to be the latter.

I still won't believe it until I see it
But if he goes, someone better be coming.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I wonder if the last bit you posted happens it will mean Morata will get onto the transfer merry-go-round this Summer. Chelsea only need one striker plus a backup. Not sure Alvaro wants to be the latter.

I think so, yes. Good market for Morata, perhaps even at Real Madrid.

Madrid just confirmed, right now, the signing of right-back Odriozola. What does this mean? It means Madrid is STACKED with Carvajal, Nacho, and Hakimi. Someone expensive is going to go and make room for a BIG signing at the forward position. Hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink. More signs that Ronaldo is out.

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

I think so, yes. Good market for Morata, perhaps even at Real Madrid.

Madrid just confirmed, right now, the signing of right-back Odriozola. What does this mean? It means Madrid is STACKED with Carvajal, Nacho, and Hakimi. Someone expensive is going to go and make room for a BIG signing at the forward position. Hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink. More signs that Ronaldo is out.

They just loaned out Hakimi for a couple of years, I read this morning.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

I still won't believe it until I see it
But if he goes, someone better be coming.

If Ronaldo goes the smart money is on Real paying €300m for either Mbappe or Neymar.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

If Ronaldo goes the smart money is on Real paying €300m for either Mbappe or Neymar.

This is so weird to not hear ‘Ronaldo and Real’ same with ‘Messi and Barcelona’.

An era is drawing to a close.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by kauebm

I can't take this !!!!

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by dmash

This is so weird to not hear ‘Ronaldo and Real’ same with ‘Messi and Barcelona’.

An era is drawing to a close.

He's not gone yet! I refuse to believe it!


Definitely not to Juve. It's like the end of italian football. Not like they haven't been dominating for the past 5 years anyhow

[KBM]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

Chelsea has reached an agreement today for Higuain from Juventus for £53m.

OMG, Juve has pulled the stunt of the century. That guy is worth 53 pesos.