He can do whatever the **** he wants to on a pitch. Dive, foul people, bitch to referees, and he never ever gets punished. He could come out and call Blatter's mother a fat slag and he'd laugh it off.
Indeed, and plenty of players have gotten away with far worse on-field antics on a regular basis - Robben for starters on the diving front.
I don't know that I agree with that. I think he is amazingly talented, because he has been the best footballer in the world at certain times, yet he has managed that without the physical ability that Ronaldo has. I don't know that he is any worse on or off the field than many other superstars.
He has never been the best footballer in history to me and I doubt he is to anyone of my age or older
Germany side that gave Brazil World Cup hiding a band of brothers claims Per Mertesacker Interesting article on how many of the under 21 German players (6) played against the Brazilian demolitions, that won the under 21 tournament against England 4-0. Check out how many German players made it to the highest level and how many English players made it from their respective under 21 teams. Shows how poor the quality England is producing. Per Mertesacker believes German footballâs greatest night can be traced back to when they thrashed England five years ago. Six of the Germany team which humiliated Brazil on Tuesday graduated from the Under-21s that beat England 4-0 in the final of their 2009 Championship. Manuel Neuer, Benedikt Hoewedes, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil all started in Belo Horizonte, and have gone from being promising youngsters to writing their names into the World Cup record books. Arsenal defender Mertesacker claims the 7-1 thrashing of Brazil - the biggest ever score in a World Cup semi-final and Brazilâs heaviest ever defeat - was the culmination of Germanyâs recent progress. Tellingly, James Milner was the only England player from the 2009 Under-21s campaign to make the Three Lions' World Cup squad five years on. Mertesacker said: âThe youth academies have been developing well in the last five or six years. It started off in 2009 when we won the Under-21 tournament and beat England 4-0. That was a real turning point and five or six players from that team are doing well here. âThereâs a small link between these two tournaments. That was five years ago. There could be a reason. But overall you have to create a team spirit, and with those magnificent players growing up together it makes it easier. âIf there are only 11 players who feel responsible to create the team, then you have no chance. âI think we have one of the strongest squads Iâve ever played in. We have two excellent players for every position and our whole squad is very lively. Everyone is capable to play and as you could see all of the players who came on were magnificent and that can make the difference. âThereâs a good rivalry. But weâve found the team spirit as well during the tournament and that makes the difference.â Germany U21s' starting XI vs England, 26 June 2009 Germany Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich's No1 keeper - and arguably the best goalie in the world. Andrea Beck Just missed out on final selection for the 23-man squad. Benedikt Howedes Captain of Schalke. Played in the 7-1 destruction of Brazil. Jerome Boateng Integral member of Bayern Munichâs defence. Started on Tuesday night. Sebastian Boenisch Switched allegiances and now plays for Poland. Mats Hummels Borussia Dortmund defender wanted by Manchester United. Scored against France in the quarter-finals and played on Tuesday Fabian Johnson Another who switched country. Played for the United States at this World Cup. Gonzalo Castro A regular in Bayer Leverkusenâs midfield, he has won five full caps but is no longer part of Germany squad. Sami Khedira The Real Madrid midfielder was outstanding against Brazil. Mesut Ozil Arsenal's record buy. Played on the left flank on Tuesday. Sandro Wagner Hertha Berlin striker. Scored twice in that U21 Euros Final but has never played for the full Germany team. England Scott Loach Goalkeeper for Championship side Rotherham. Martin Cranie Defender now at League One side Barnsley. Micah Richards Struggling for first team opportunities at Premier League champions Manchester City. Richards was the youngest defender ever to be called up to England seniors, has won 13 caps and was a member of the GB 2012 Olympics squad Nedum Onuoha Versatile centre-back at Queens Park Rangers. Kieran Gibbs Won FA Cup with Arsenal last season and has three full caps. Lee Cattermole Sunderland midfielder has earned a fearsome reputation and a Premier League record seven red cards Fabrice Muamba No longer a pro, following a cardiac arrest suffered on the pitch during an FA Cup tie which saw his heart stop beating for 78 minutes. Mark Noble Longest serving member of the West Ham squad. James Milner Only member of England's Class of 2009 to be part of Roy Hodgsonâs squad in Brazil, although he only appeared in âdeadâ match against Costa Rica. Theo Walcott The Arsenal forward would have been in Englandâs 2014 squad but for injury. Adam Johnson Earned a £7million move from Middlesbrough to Manchester City, who sold him for £10m to Sunderland. Has won 11 caps but is inconsistent.
Someone posted the teams on Twitter the other night and I was quite shocked how many of the Germans had progressed to the full team compared to the English.What suprises me are the lads who have switched country as I thought once you'd played a competitive game at any level you couldn't switch allegiance.
It sort of makes a mockery of representing your country. If you've been brought through the system and played for your country at any level, then you shouldn't be able to jump ship, this isn't domestic football! But yes, just look at how poor the England under 21s have done since. It is testament to how Arsenal have helped nurture and develop young talent, which isn't allowed in other big teams of the EPL.
International football isn't the pinnacle any more though, the champions league is and he's performed at his best in that
Dont forget the Champions League has only been in existence in its current format for approx 20 years
I personnaly think Messi is the best ever and by a considerable margin. Peoples distaste for Guardiolas Barcelona have clouded their opinions on Messi. He is basically a midfielder/no.10 who scores 50+ goals a Season - the guy is insane. Touch, passing, goals as an 'All Rounder' nobody beats him. Not even Zidane.
