World Cup Thread.

[AzorianPats]

For those who were watching the German defense play so high up the field this should explain the reason why anyone in their right mind would even attempt it. Against Algeria that line played higher up the field than some teams midfielders did in this tournament. Against better opposition (France and Argentina) they toned it down a bit but still played higher than most teams would ever dare to do.

This is the reason Neuer is considered the best keeper in the world. He is a bit like the Gronk of Keepers. Are there faster TE out there? Yep. Are there better blocking TE in the league? Possibly. Better hands? Maybe. Anyone else that has all those tools at an elite level? Nope!

He's the best in the world, and its not even close.../

BTW are you German/German fan?

 

[Major **********]

He's the best in the world, and its not even close.../

BTW are you German/German fan?

Fan! For about 30 years now.

 

[AzorianPats]

Fan! For about 30 years now.

Congrats on winning the cup!

Great team!

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Yea, at that time I think Figo, years after being in the shadow of Ronaldo and Rivaldo at Barca finally stepped out and became the #1 guy at Barca..Then right after the Euro 00 he was trying to use Real as leverage to get a pay bump in Barca, Barca called his bluff, and he ended up signing with Real. His introduction to Real was awkward. He never wanted to leave Barca. I think if you were to ask him now, he'd tell you that was his biggest mistake.

I wouldn't say Figo carried Portugal that tournament. He was our best player, but we were loaded at that time. Figo, Rui Costa, Paulo Sousa, Sergio Conceicao, Joao Pinto, and Nuno Gomes caught fire that tournament. A shame that team never won a damn thing.

Didn't Zizou his last year at Juve head butt another player? I could imagine in Italy, people have much different opinions on him. Either or, if you were to ask me who are the 5 greatest players I've ever seen, in no order it would be Zidane, Ronaldo, Maldini, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Messi.

Those hookers and casinos in Macau did a number on that 2002 team IIRC. It is a shame because the way the dominos fell in 2002, it could have been Portugal in that final if they had shown 75% of what they were capable of. Germany were average, Spain got completely hosed, and Italy were a combination of the two.

I wouldn't rate anyone but Rui Costa as close to Figo in that generation though. I had a soft spot for Pauleta from his time at PSG, but I can call a spade a spade; he was an average forward. I think more or less the same of Joao Pinto and Nuno Gomes. I still recall Joao Pinto missing a ridiculously easy header and scoring one of the more difficult headers I've ever seen not five minutes later.

Good top five. I'm not sure I could narrow it down to five, but those five are definitely deserving. Those Real Madrid teams with Galacticos were a blast to watch. Ronaldinho's Barca teams were fun. Rivaldo was a beast, even when his legs stopped working. Pirlo on his best days is an unreal player to watch. Most people don't rank Beckham near the top of any list, but he was a hell of a player to watch at United, even in the latter stage when he and SAF were at odds.