Haha, both have fair claims but I think Messi is definitely better. If Pele/Maradona were around in this day and age and had access to the sports science, medical and analytical resources Messi has had, maybe the result would have been different... although it could be argued the other way that the opponents Messi has faced have had thousands of hours of footage & data analysis to create a plan and still couldn't stop him!
Would that have been at the Dell in April 1968 in front of a record attendance? The match finished 2-2! I was there in the Archers.
It’s a generation thing really. Everything was better in the 70s, including football. The 80s weren’t as good, but Maradona was magic.
No It was when he scored a hat trick at the Dell in November 1971 as United thrashed us 5-2. He was unplayable, utterly brilliant.
Case in point: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63980941 It's an article about the World Cup Final, France v Argentina, and McNumpty still manages to slip in a Liverpool reference
Was a Ralph decision wasn't it? Might be remembering wrong but thought he was seen as not fitting the style.
I'm hoping the Argies win it. **** the French. They won the last one and also had another one not too long ago. They've also got the team to challenge again and aren't going anywhere which isn't as true for Argentina imo. Argies had by far the best and biggest support at this tournament too and it'd be nice to see them rewarded. Fitting for them to win it in Messi's last WC and the first after Maradona dying. Plus, as a footballing nation, then I believe the Argies deserve to get a 3rd World Cup win before France do. Though that's obviously completely subjective and not based on any logic lol. If they do it then I hope Messi plays a big part. Will be **** if they win one nil n he has a quiet game.
I think the subjective and no logic theory could be understood more if I tacked this onto your sentence: "I was also not born in 1986, so have no recollection of that game and do not know what 1982 was all about either with the Falklands"
Personally, I'm more interested in the 3rd/4th playoff, between Morocco and Croatia, as both of them would be classed as underdogs, so it's difficult to call. Heart says Morocco.
Boufal would be shocking if he player for us, so would Tadic. Everyone pines for Tadic but forgets he was as bad as the rest of them for most of his last season. Brilliant players in the right team, but that team is not a scrappy team fighting relegation. If we got back to the quality and style of football we enjoyed under Pchettino then you would take them back in a heartbeat. Messi, Alvarez and co famously playing an instrumental role in the Falklands war Even their manager, Scaloni, was only 4 at the time so won't remember it.
The Falklands is a funny one - without bringing politics to this thread, there are still issues between the two countries, although since 1992 diplomatic relations have been restored. The Argentinians still think the 'Malvinas' are their territory, we think the Falklands are ours. The dispute was actually between us and Spain originally as back in 1700s (I think?) as Argentina and the Falklands were in Spanish hands and we nicked them off them through a short war (I can see the irony). The thing that most people of a certain age remember is that rather than through diplomacy, they tried to get them back through a unnecessary war were over 600 British, Argentinian and 3 islander's lives were lost. The UN were already involved at the time and although it may have taken years, I think there would have been an agreement. Now we have the issue of oil being found nearby and the 2013 referendum in the Falklands that the islanders wanted to remain part of the UK, so I don't think it will ever go. Can't blame the players or the manager, but also there is that undercurrent. However, I am sure there are a few British - French wars that we could bring up lol if that was the only reason to not like them EDIT: Mardonna GOAT? Maybe. Cheating bastard? Definitely.
I would hope oil is never exploited there. These islands are a natural hábitat and should remain that way. The UN should make this are a protected zone and any country exploiting it for mineral wealth should be severely sanctioned.
I saw a map when the war was going on, I think in the Times, showing the oil concessions around the Falklands. It was an oil war that people lost their lives in. Sorry, should be moved to politics along with this map. https://images.app.goo.gl/JpWq7i9LW7b5oetx7
On the Maradona is a cheat debate then I would say that the vast majority if not all players cheat in some way (the professional foul, feigning injury etc) and are lauded for it by ex professionals in the media. It's just a factor of the modern game and it's down to the officials to control it.
I always thought the 3rd - 4th play-off game was a bit of a wet wellie but the Croats celebrated it like they just won the thing so who am i to judge!
