World Cup 2026

[gallsman]

Unless they get into one of their traditional civil wars, I don't see how anyone can possibly stop this French team if they get up to full speed, which a few soft games before the round of 16 will do for them.

Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise and either of Doué or Barcola is a ludicrous front four. The entire squad is packed full of athletes as well as footballers.

[thewobbler]

I came across a stat that Ronaldo covered about 7.5 km in the first game, some 200m more than Messi. I saw Messi running, moving at pace, involved in the game but I didn't notice Ronaldo move more than 5 or 10m on a rare occasion, at times he reminded me of his statue but with moving arms. Could those stats be spoofed?

When you consider that walking 10km in 90 minutes is something any 38 year old would be able to do without training, the truth is neither of them is doing anything much other than light jogs into position and occasional sprints.

[square_ball]

Listening to Jon Champion on ITV.

Proper old school commentator didn't realise he was still going. Very nostalgic.

Yeah I like Jon Champion commentating. The new breed the likes of Sam Matterface and Darren 'Fletch' Fletcher are brutal. They have pre prepared lines that they have to shoehorn in and talk just for the sake of it. Noticeable how much better Ally McCoist is in co-comms with Jon Champion than he is with Darren Fletcher.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Listening to Jon Champion on ITV.

Proper old school commentator didn't realise he was still going. Very nostalgic.

Yeah I like Jon Champion commentating. The new breed the likes of Sam Matterface and Darren 'Fletch' Fletcher are brutal. They have pre prepared lines that they have to shoehorn in and talk just for the sake of it. Noticeable how much better Ally McCoist is in co-comms with Jon Champion than he is with Darren Fletcher.

Yeah i do like Ally but he does get carried away from time to time.

Where does Champion ply his trade on the day to day or does he just do major tournaments?

[square_ball]

Listening to Jon Champion on ITV.

Proper old school commentator didn't realise he was still going. Very nostalgic.

Yeah I like Jon Champion commentating. The new breed the likes of Sam Matterface and Darren 'Fletch' Fletcher are brutal. They have pre prepared lines that they have to shoehorn in and talk just for the sake of it. Noticeable how much better Ally McCoist is in co-comms with Jon Champion than he is with Darren Fletcher.

Yeah i do like Ally but he does get carried away from time to time.

Where does Champion ply his trade on the day to day or does he just do major tournaments?

I have heard him commentate on the Premier League when watching on different streams. Google says he's on NBC in America.

[RedHand88]

https://x.com/xavismofcb_/status/2069105347059392876?s=46

 

[Baile Brigín 2]

I came across a stat that Ronaldo covered about 7.5 km in the first game, some 200m more than Messi. I saw Messi running, moving at pace, involved in the game but I didn't notice Ronaldo move more than 5 or 10m on a rare occasion, at times he reminded me of his statue but with moving arms. Could those stats be spoofed?

When you consider that walking 10km in 90 minutes is something any 38 year old would be able to do without training, the truth is neither of them is doing anything much other than light jogs into position and occasional sprints.

A midfielder at that level should be doing 15 plus, a striker at least 10. Messi never tracked back, but even for him that's poor.

[Armagh18]

I came across a stat that Ronaldo covered about 7.5 km in the first game, some 200m more than Messi. I saw Messi running, moving at pace, involved in the game but I didn't notice Ronaldo move more than 5 or 10m on a rare occasion, at times he reminded me of his statue but with moving arms. Could those stats be spoofed?

When you consider that walking 10km in 90 minutes is something any 38 year old would be able to do without training, the truth is neither of them is doing anything much other than light jogs into position and occasional sprints.

A midfielder at that level should be doing 15 plus, a striker at least 10. Messi never tracked back, but even for him that's poor.

They're both good enough that you're happy enough for them to doddle about when not on the ball. (Well Ronaldo not anymore, but at his best)

You can get away with one player like that but not 2 or 3 as PSG and Madrid have found out with Mbappe etc

[AustinPowers]

Messi, Mbappe,  Haaland etc all scoring well. Ronaldo  has been well and truly put in the shade so far.

He'll be taking  free kicks , goal kicks galore tonight  to make up for it. Might even see him  trying to score from corners

[imtommygunn]

Be taking kickouts, corners, free kicks you name it lol

[gallsman]

A midfielder at that level should be doing 15 plus, a striker at least 10. Messi never tracked back, but even for him that's poor.

Both of those statements are patently untrue. 15km+ would be high. Messi tracked back plenty in his early career.

[tiempo]

Messi, Mbappe,  Haaland etc all scoring well. Ronaldo  has been well and truly put in the shade so far.

He'll be taking  free kicks , goal kicks galore tonight  to make up for it. Might even see him  trying to score from corners

About effective as Dean Windyarse at this stage, sad to see in a way, but compelling to watch just how long Martinez persists

[statto]

Portugal misfiring the first day Bobby M drops Bernardo Silva.

[tonto1888]

I came across a stat that Ronaldo covered about 7.5 km in the first game, some 200m more than Messi. I saw Messi running, moving at pace, involved in the game but I didn't notice Ronaldo move more than 5 or 10m on a rare occasion, at times he reminded me of his statue but with moving arms. Could those stats be spoofed?

When you consider that walking 10km in 90 minutes is something any 38 year old would be able to do without training, the truth is neither of them is doing anything much other than light jogs into position and occasional sprints.

And scoring 5 goals in 2 games if you're Messi

[gallsman]

Booooooooooooo