[Chetan_Rao]

From a time right before it became all about the money, a father-son duo's pilgrimage to all 92 Football League grounds of the UK.

Around the 92 in the 1980s

[am1m]

With all the conflicting reports around my favourite footballer, getting hard to predict what he's likely to be doing next season.

Looks like another stint at PSG is out for sure. Does his visit to Saudi Arabia indicate a renewal (or rather, the last gasp extension) of the very successful 'Messi vs. Ronaldo' marketing/advertising script? (Or was that visit just a part of his duties as the tourism ambassador for the Saudis?) A dream Barca return seems very unlikely, given their financial situation. But if he's really still keen on another season at the top-level, why not play one season at Barca at a much reduced wage and then do the move to a Saudi club or an Inter-Miami type club?

(So many questions, speculations welcome!)

[Axe77]

I’m a huge Messi fan too. Here goes my share of speculation and whatever else you want to call it.

I got the impression that he could be in talks for a super high Middle East paycheque in the context of his visit there. But if he has aspirations to pay for Argentina in yet another Copa America or World Cup I don’t think playing in the Middle East would be helpful instead of a top flight league to keep at your A game.

I also wonder how he’d feel confident about going to the Middle East after seeing the relatively underwhelming experience of Ronaldo over the last year (I’m not actively tracking it but I thought I read somewhere that Ronaldo may himself leave that league by the end of the season).

Money: Middle East.
Last hurrah at reduced pay: La Liga.
This could be followed by a brand ambassador kind of role for Barca. If Messi believes he has a few more solid years to play, he really shouldn’t be looking outside of the major leagues.

I feel he can still be very influential in most big teams playing in big leagues - as long as he has sensible expectations and doesn’t expect an entire team to be built around him.

[androdev]

I was very sad about how Messi had to leave Barca but in a weird way this really paved the way for him to go to Qatar fully recharged and put on a smashing show at the WC.

His intentions are very clear now. Play in Europe and for Argentina for the next two years at least. MLS/Middle East choice is not on the table and will be looked at later based on his family and team mates (Busquets, etc.) Messi prioritises family/friends, so I guess he is more likely to go to MLS.

He is waiting for Barca to make a proposal. I have a strong feeling that Barca will make it happen. Mateu Alemany, director of football at Barca has announced he is leaving Barca - one of the main reasons is suspected to be his disagreement with Messi's comeback which would disturb the post-Messi project that's underway. Coach Xavi and president Laporta believe Messi's return must be facilitated and it would help the club financially and sportingly.

Barca motto is més que un club (more than a club) - even in the face of rampant commercialisation of the football sport, Barca does try to maintain an identity and ethos to a reasonable extent (at least, fans demand it). Emphasis on academy players, possession based attacking style of play, Catalan identity politics etc. are given a lot importance (or they are expected to do so by the fans). For example, Xavi gets a lot of criticism for having a lot 1-0 wins this season inspite winning the league very emphatically. Basically, this club can not be run on pure principles of efficiency and merit. In the backdrop of all this, there is a strong feeling of guilt about the way Messi had to leave Barca and even if less than ideal for the future of the club, this must be corrected.

There are few good quality players Barca will be forced to sell in order to make way for Messi. I follow Barca very closely and their current attacking options are really average compared to their defence and midfield. Raphiana, Ferran and Fati do not look like undisputed starters. Kessié from the midfield also doesn't get much play time.

I think Messi will return to Barca but there will be a lot of drama till the last minute.

[ABHI_1512]

As a self confessed Argentina and Messi fan, it would be a surprise if Messi moves to the Middle East. Going by the developments and speculation around him, it does seem very likely that Messi will return to Barca, payment terms not withstanding. Messi still has at least two good years left in him or perhaps even more, given his relaxed style of play now. Having gotten the monkey of World Cup win off his back, I do see him continue to play for Argentina. Top flight club football is still the criteria for every major player and Messi is no different.

On the other hand, I so feel for Frank Lampard right now. Having earned the dubious distinction of losing 10 matches in a row by an English Manager in top flight football, it’s anybody’s guess how Chelsea is going to react even though he was just filling in !!

[kavensri]

Gary Linekar on his J-League days...
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65530665

[Axe77]

UCL - Real Madrid vs Manchester City.: Arguably the best UCL Cup team in the world vs the best League team in the world.

What a decimation last night. Grealish was incredible. As were Kyle Walker, Silva, Rodri. Haaland may not have scored but kept some serious pressure up. KDB looked a bit tired to be honest in the second half.

All in all, each Man City player played their A+ game. I can’t believe that a 4-0 score line against RM reflects a “fair” outcome of the 90 minutes.

EDIT: It says a lot about the game when Courtois - despite getting 4 goals against him was probably one of the best players of the night for RM. But for his performance, the score line could well have been a couple of goals more at least.

[benbsb29]

I watched the highlights and was shocked to see Real Madrid have no answer to the relentless attack and flair from Man City. Man City deserved this win, and definitely riding a wave of confidence which could see them lift the cup.

[ask_017]

Originally Posted by Axe77

UCL - Real Madrid vs Manchester City.: Grealish was incredible. As were Paul Walker, Silva, Rodri. Haaland may not have scored but kept some serious pressure up. KDB looked a bit tired to be honest in the second half.

As we are on Team BHP, I can very well understand why you put Paul Walker in there instead of Kyle Walker .

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by ask_017

As we are on Team BHP, I can very well understand why you put Paul Walker in there instead of Kyle Walker .

Hahaha. Thanks for picking that up - fixed it.

I was seeing some messages on the upcoming Fast & Furious movie as well this morning and clearly the wires short circuited somewhere.

[Chetan_Rao]

Away from the glamour lights, down in the third tier of English football in the League One promotion playoff semi-finals, Sheffield Wednesday have just overturned a 4-0 first leg defeat against Peterborough to take the tie to a penalty shootout, and won!

Football, what a game!

[BleueNinja]

Originally Posted by Axe77

What a decimation last night. Grealish was incredible. As were Kyle Walker, Silva, Rodri. Haaland may not have scored but kept some serious pressure up. KDB looked a bit tired to be honest in the second half.

Rodri and Stones held their own in midfield. They helped take the game forward very well. Also, KDB’s pass to Silva which was converted to first goal was great!

Originally Posted by Axe77

It says a lot about the game when Courtois - despite getting 4 goals against him was probably one of the best players of the night for RM. But for his performance, the score line could well have been a couple of goals more at least.

Courtois did certainly make Haaland’s life difficult yesterday. It was like no matter what haaland just couldn’t get past him and it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Inter Milan Vs Manchester City is next ! I for sure didn’t expect Inter Milan to be the one in finals for sure.

[kavensri]

Those who follow EPL, can you predict which two teams out of LEE, LEI, EVE and NOT will get relegated this season?
I have been following EPL since more than 20 years now, but still I am unable to predict this time!

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by kavensri

Those who follow EPL, can you predict which two teams out of LEE, LEI, EVE and NOT will get relegated this season?
I have been following EPL since more than 20 years now, but still I am unable to predict this time!

Tricky because they've all got a good game in them if they feel like turning up.

Of the lot, Forest look the likeliest to stay up as they have points on the board and a team with some semblance of cohesion. One win (or two draws with other favorable results) would be enough.

Everton blow hot & cold but play at home on the final day, so wouldn't count them out even if they need a result from that game. They're in trouble long-term though, horribly managed club that survived on the last day previous season too, and didn't learn anything from it. They also have the added threat of a Financial Fair Play sanction hanging over them (from dodgy COVID accounting), so if they get relegated and then get hit with a points deduction, they could very well find themselves in League One in a year or so.

Leicester are atrocious, their best players Tielemans and Maddison seem like they've lost interest and counting on a transfer out. They are unlikely to beat Newcastle next, which leaves them an uphill battle on the final matchday if they've somehow still got a sniff.

Leeds have fight in them, but their defence makes my spaghetti colander look like a brick wall. Won't count them out if they can cause some chaos in the final couple games. Outscoring opposition in pinball is their best bet, they aren't keeping anyone out at the back. They've got Spurs at Elland Road on the last day, so either could win or lose by a cricket score!

I'm looking forward to Sean Dyche's exes (Burnley) next season. They've done a 180 under Vincent Kompany and play some lovely football.

[Axe77]

I’m a big Kompany fan. Will be exciting to follow him in EPL in his new role.

Lovely to see a Manager line up comprising folks like Pep, Kompany and Arteta who’ve all been collaborators together in the very recent past.