The focus of the World Cup will inevitably be on the big teams, but what about the teams that everyone might forget about, the World Cup underdogs? Everyone wants to see a team do well that isn’t initially expected to go very far. In the 2002 World Cup, we saw South Korea make it all the way to the semifinals under the guidance of Guus Hiddink. Who would have seen that one coming?
Once again, thanks to the fine folks at Footy Headlines, we’ve got our hands on the latest and greatest 2018 FIFA World Cup gear leaks. Today’s news is big: It’s the Adidas Nemeziz Messi 18 World Cup cleats — yes, the cleats Lionel Messi will be wearing in Russia come June.
The one thing missing from Lionel Messi's resume is a major international trophy. He has spurred Argentina to multiple major finals but hasn't been able to get over the hump. Could the 2018 World Cup in Russia turn out different? Can Messi win the 2018 World Cup? Let's break it down.
Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are national treasures for Argentina. These two remarkable players have made history, not only for their country, but also for football in general.
Their legacies will always be remembered.
One of the most annoying things in soccer is when you get subbed off, especially when you feel like you still have a lot left in the tank. However, in recent years we have seen managers haul off players before halftime, or even just after substituting them on the field (Emmanuel Eboue against Wigan in 2008, anyone?).
According to a recent article from Henry Winter in The Times, Manchester United’s academy dressing room proudly displays an image of Lionel Messi cleaning his own boots following a 2016 friendly between Argentina and Croatia at the old Boleyn Ground in London.
Here's the aformentioned image.
It’s still early days at the 2018 Copa America Femenina (which also serves as CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2019 Women’s World Cup), but six-time champion Brazil has reinforced its status as the favorite with opening victories against Argentina (3-1) and Ecuador (8-0).
“The football I grew up playing is no longer there. Today, all players care about are their cars, their shoes with their names on, and their image. While for me, the only thing that counted was football. Nothing else.” -Miroslav Klose
Football is under attack. It’s a sentiment that, regardless of how much it resonates with you, is often expressed and passionately argued. Whatever the reason, be it the influx of money, the unsporting concentration of talent or the diminished draw of the international game, there’s cause for cynicism.