Messi: “Brazil are the favourites”

Hey Kids,

Let’s get this a bit back on track. No need for name calling or bickering with one another. If you can stick to football talk it would be appreciated. Thanks for visiting the site and for your passion and thoughts about the Beautiful Game.

Cheers,
Bob, the dude who edits this site.

bob [at] worldcupblog.org

Posted from  United States

Euler Vs Lol (I think as far as good points, and good argumentative statmens goes, lol wins) ohh name calling lol wins to, just kidding.

Man, yall been going at it for a while, but i thought i would drop in and make some comments and see what yall thought. Euler, you made some pretty good comparisons i thought with players between brazil and argentina, but i think your outcome were a little off but not by much. Tevez Vs Robinho or Adriano, wow i dont think this is even debatable, because adriano is obvioulsy having a terrible year, Julio cruz does alot better than him, and he has all those quality guys assisting him. Tevez i believe has won two or three south american player of the year awards, one while playing in brazil. That is insane realizing he is still a kid. He is in brazil not because he couldnt go anywhere, but decided to go, european clubs were shocked when he decided to go to Corinthians. And if you dont know, chealsea is bidding for him and mascherano(i hear it is over 50 mil pounds, wow. To be honest i would take Aguero over robinho.

As far as messi, mannnn even Ronaldo said “I wish he was brazilian, he is really great” that coming from Ronaldo, what else could you say about this kid. He made those nasty tackling chealsea team look silly. He was without a doubt the player of that game. Sky sports headline after that game was “Messi inspired Barca for a sanfordbridge win”

Kaka over riquelme, i dont know buddy, i think you are stretching yourself way too much over that statment. if riquelme had players like sheshenko, and seadorf, and gusto, and others like AC milan, i dont think ronaldinho would have won player of the year award this year. It is easy to stop villareal, cause all you need is to stop Roman, he has noone else, but still look where they are.

I would take Kaka over Aimar though, because aimar is injury prone, other than that, i really think argentina has the upper hand in regards to squad over brazil, the only area brazil are better is coach, and goalie.

By the way do yall know what the bracket looks like after the group stages? lol(do you know) you seem to be wise, holla

Posted from  United States

Are we destined to suffer? I mean, last world cup we were considered the favourites and choked. Now we all try to lower our expectations in order to prevent disappointment. I for once am not going to do so. We have the best team in the world and the best players. Tevez, Messi, Riquelme, Aimar and even Saviola (Don’t even think about leaving him out Pekerman) are better than what Brazil has to offer. Provided we don’t fail in the group of death, nothing but winning the cup is acceptable.

I’m not saying ronaldinho is far good than riquelme.
When ronaldinho was in PSG, he failed to make an impact like riquelme in villareal.Ronaldinho in PSG and riquelme in villareal are same.So i’ll judge riquelme is better.
When ronaldinho came to Barca, a bunch of players were there to support him. That’s not the case of riquelme.

Posted from  United States

lol, did I compare Messi to Robinho? Take another look and you`ll see that I didn`t. I compared Messi to Ronaldinho. I know that is a bit unfair given his age, but my point is that Ronaldinho is their best player, and Messi is our best player. That is why I compared them.
Tevez vs Robinho: I think you`re so wrong here. It is MUCH more difficult to preforme for Real Madrid than Corinthians. When Robinho played in Brazil he was great, Tevez is now in Brazil and is doing great. Tevez has never played in Europe. So I don`t think I am that far off when I say Tevez and Robinho are on the same level.
And for God`s sake: If you look at what Ronaldo and Adriano are capable of in their best moments, they are a class above Crespo at least.

Posted from  Norway

WOW THIS IS A LONG ASS BLOG NOW :0)

Posted from  United States

Here is my prediction for the selection roster excluding the goalie:

Forwards: Saviola, Tevez, Crespo, Cruz, Milito

Attacking forwards: Messi, Aimar, Riquelme

Midfielders/defensive midfielders: Mascherano, Demechelis, Cambiasso

Defenders: Ayala, Samuel, Heinze, Collocini, Placente.

Anyone want to add?

Posted from  United States

I disagree with you Rune. I know u compared Messi to Ronaldinho not to Robinho but since we cant edit our posts in a blog I just let this one slip Anyways Messi is not our best player. Riquelme is. But to compare Messi to Ronaldinho is just absurd. They are different type of players with 7 years of age between them. There is no point in this comparison. Messi dribbling skills are already better than any player I have seen on this planet. A more accurate comparison would be Robinho vs Messi since they are similar type of players and it is easy to see that Messi is the superior player between them.

Tevez is dominating in a league where no Argentinian has ever enjoyed success. His strong character and determination allowed him to be the best player in Brazil. How can you say 2 players are on the same level when one is clearly struggling in Real Madrid and the other is a huge success in his club ? Tevez is an extremely different type of player to Robinho. Robinho relies on his flair and gimmicky moves whereas Tevez uses his strong body, shooting power and vision. Robinho is having trouble because he has a small body that makes it easier for defender in spain to stop him. And unlike in brazil he doesnt get the calls for diving ;). Tevez would not have as much trouble adapting in European football. You Cannot deny his talent just because he plays his football in south america. Tevez and Rooney are very similar type of players and make for a better comparison. Mascherano is one of the best holding midfield in the world. He had this ability when he was in River. He was still called for the National Team and performed at the highest level. He did not have any european experience.

Ronaldo and Adriano are having a terrible season by any standard. Crespo adapted to a very difficult league (especially for SOuth Americans) and is scoring goals. If Crespo was with AC Milan in Italy he would be scoring even more. When we compare players we compare their current form not their best form. If you want to compare the best form then Recoba is the best player ever. Consistency need to be part of the equation.

Today I would take Crespo over both Ronaldo and Adriano. In his prime Ronaldo was a classy player probably one of the best in his period. Right now we have an overweight player who is only capable of scoring when the ball is presented to him on a silver plate. Adriano still has years ahead of him to even be compared with Crespo in his prime. Crespo in his prime was a scoring machine.

I think you are falling under the influence of the Brazilian hype machine and over-rating some of their players. I also think you are vastly under-rating some Argentine players.

I ll say this again, offensively we are Brazil’s equal. Just different style of play due to different tactits/formations used by the coaches. We will see which coach uses his talent better in this World Cup. But in term of talent we are VERY similar.

Posted from  Canada

Ok, so some of us have different views on some things. That`s interessting and fun, i think.
The final thing i will say about this is; if you look at Crespo`s goalscoring the last seasons you will see that he has not scored over 10 legue goals in the last 4 seasons.
That worries me. He is not as good in front of goal as he was at his best, just like Ronaldo…

Posted from  Norway

Whoever said Recoba is the best player ever, thanks for giving me a big laugh this morning.

Posted from  United States

I have to agree with LOL that one Argentina is equal with Brazil and two I havie a feeling they know it so they are keeping all the pressure on Brazil. So they won’t be dissapointed if they don’t deliver this cup, which i doubt they won’t. You’ve got to hand it to them they are pretty damn smart!

Posted from  United States

I also agree with Lol.Argentina is better than Brazil.Messi,Requelme,Aimar,Tevez,Zanetti,Mashcherano,Ayala,Sorin,Saviola,Heinze,Samuel,Crespo,look at this…current squad of Argentina.the only all star team which takes part in WC.Why Argentina shouldn’t be the favourite?????

Posted from  Maldives

I disagree with lol. We are not equal with brazil offensively. Brazil has by far more skillful players in abundance who can turn the game in a split second. Our greatest strength is our passing within our midfield which looks for opportunities by holding onto possesion. Brazil attackers are the best in the world and when they launch a counter attack chances are the ball will be in the back of the net. Brazil are the leaders at the moment , we are somewhere along the levels of england, holland or Italy. If we play these teams they will be very close encounters and difficult. I Brazil are the only nation that can comprehensively beat these teams whilst we would 50/50.

No one can blame Pekerman. He knows who to select and formations to use. It is ultimately down to the players because we all know who he will select as our team and everyone will more or less agree with the selection.

Yes we have have got an excellent squad, but then again so do other nations and im not going to rule out the czech either. But Brazil are in a level of their own.

Posted from  United Kingdom

argiebargie, I couldn`t have said it better myself. I agree with you on everything.

Posted from  Norway

Brazil are in a level of their own in theory; they’ve proven nothing against these teams (no one is allowed to bring up the Bernardi-Santana-Figueroa-Delgado-Placente Confeds Cup final either). Brazil are certainly very talented and are very famous but that doesn’t make them great. They win it they can be called great; all this is just conjecture. And, if Argentina win it, they can be called great as well.
The question is, do Argentina have, on paper, a team that can beat anyone and win the World Cup. The answer is yes but until June it just remains on paper; where it can be screwed up and thrown away. Hey, might happen to Brazil, too.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Just wait and see
vamos vamos Argentina!

BTW take a look at this site, you will be able to watch the webcams from the stadiums!
http://www.worldcupwebcams.com/
Ana

Posted from  Argentina

England are easily better than both Brazil AND Argentina as we showed recently in Geneva when we gave Argentina a damn good thrashing!

Posted from  United Kingdom

england are over rated easily

if you use only freindlies to measure a team then you have soemthing coming

every damn 4 yrs england think they will win

its been nearly half a century since england has won anything

its just media hype to sell t-shirts

thats the sad truth my freind

Posted from  Canada

farey, Dude, you fogot D’alesandro which is one of their best players. ARGENTINA ALL THE WAY!

Posted from  Canada

i think the argument of which is better will be debated for eternity. Me personally i favour Argentina,i have always been an Argentine futbol fan and always will be, and im not Argentinian (so im not being bias) Whats more important to me is that they meet in the final or at least the semis,that would be a dream come true for me (specially if Argentina wins 3-0) i guess that only when they play against each other and the preasure is on their shoulders we’ll know then which is defenately the better team

Posted from  Australia

BRAZIL V.S. ARGENTINA
ESPN World Cup Rosters

Brazil
Forwards: Ronaldo
Robinho
Adriano
Ricardo Olivera

Argentina
Tevez
Crespo
Delgado
Lopez
Edge: Even. Where is Saviola or Cruz? Anyone of Brazils big three are better than Delgado and Lopez combined. Tevez and Crespo are equal to the big three. Tevez is probably the best striker.

Middys:Brazil
Ronaldhino
Kaka
Ze Roberto
Ricardhino
Julio Baptista
Alex
Renato
Juninho
Silva
Emerson

Argentina
Messi
Riquelme
Aimar
Mascherano
Cambiasso
Duscher
D’Alessandro
Gonzales
Battaglia
Bernardi
Edge:Brazil. Midfield is too deep. Anyone of thhem can start and D’Alessandro, Gonzales, Battaglia, or Bernardi can’t match up with Alex, Renato, Emerson and Ricardhino.

Defenders:Brazil
R. Carlos
Cafu
R. Junior
Lucio
Gilberto
Cicinho
Juan
Gustavo
Rodrigo Alex
Luizao

Argentina
Ayala
Coloccini
Samuel
Placente
Heinze
Milito
Demichelis
Sorin
Quiraga
Edge:Even. Ayala is the best true defender.

GK: Brazil
Dida
Gomes
Julio Cesar

Argentina
Abbondonziari
Lux
Franco
Edge:Even. Dida is the best, Argentina has more depth.

Overall: it’s mostly even with brazil having a slight edge in the midfield. This includes the bench, starters are dead even. Anyone think Tevez would be a good fit at MANU. Fergie is looking for an attacking midfielder and if tevez wants to leave corinthians after the world cup, his price will go down. He may win the golden boot.

Posted from  United States

HEY GUYS…
ANY COMMENTS ON SORIN?
I GIVE HIM 100% FOR EFFORT EACH AND EVERY GAME BUT TO ME HE DOESNT CREATE MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND HAS VERY POOR DELIVERIES,I THINK APPART FROM RUNNING ALL GAME(MAINLY CHASSING THE BALL) HE DOESNT DO MUCH ELSE.
DO YOU THINK HE SHOULD BE THERE AND WHO COULD OR SHOULD REPLACE HIM?

Posted from  Australia

Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Robinho, Kaka, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Adriano, Fred. Anyone know better players in the world?

Posted from  Brazil

Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Robinho, Kaka, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Adriano, Fred. Anyone knows betters players in the world?

Posted from  Brazil

Messi and robinho are both crack strikers but their style of play are completely different robinho uses abillity and flair while messi plays with speed and nutmegs it’s completely different in my opinion messi’s style is better but it really depends on what you like and the last classic game between barca and real madrid messi made roberto carlos and emerson look like idiots.

Posted from  Australia