Chelsea after the change of ownership is the worst thing that has happened to English football for many years. Even Michael Ashley’s Newcastle, even the crazy owners of small clubs hid in a corner when Todd Boehly arrived. His hatred for footballers turned out to be infectious. Coach Maresca said that he did not care about the fate of two dozen footballers who were left out of the short list. Enzo made this statement about Sterling and company. But all the smart ones from the Chelsea base understand that they themselves can end up in the place of Chilwell and Gallagher. Conor grew up next to the Chelsea base, his whole family are fans of the club. But the Englishman is better received at Atletico than at home.

Boehly does not understand football, does not understand its importance to the British. Chelsea do such things that FIFA changes the laws to stop them. This happened with mass loans. This happened with eight-year contracts. This is what will happen with the transfer carousel in the Premier League — clubs inflate the cost of players to get fictitious “income”. And it’s scary if Maresca’s team starts winning. Then Boehly will say that breaking the law is great, and not considering footballers as people is the ideal approach. The chaos that the American created in the Premier League will still turn against the entire league. Granovskaia’s deals during Abramovich’s time are being investigated for violations. And imagine how much they will dig up later on Boehly with his chaotic transfers. Chelsea has 5 goalkeepers, not counting Kepa. Only Boeli could pay 55 million euros with bonuses for the unstable Felix. This hasn’t been funny for a long time.

A 20-year journey.

Fans around the world publish lists of candidates for the 2024 Ballon d’Or next to candidates from ten years ago. They say that footballers were stronger in the past. To see if the theory is right or wrong, we will also add the best in the 2004 Ballon d’Or ranking. And to make it easier to compare, we will break them down by position. Let’s look back to the past to assess the football present.

Forwards

2004: Shevchenko, Henry, Adriano, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy, Charisteas, Ronaldo, Baros, Ibrahimovic, Eto’o, Morientes, Drogba, Giuly, Vicente.

2014: Ronaldo, Messi, Muller, Neymar, James, Robben, Hazard, Di Maria, Diego Costa, Bale, Ibrahimovic, Benzema.

2024: Mbappe, Haaland, Kane, Vinicius, Dovbyk, Lookman, Lautaro, Saka, N. Williams, Yamal, Foden, Palmer, Wirtz.

Young Ronaldo and Messi of 2014 are beyond competition. The generation of 2004 is also great. The “Golden Ball” was won by Milan forward Shevchenko. But if you imagine Mbappe, Haaland and Kane, not forgetting Saka, Yamal, Vinicius and Lautaro, the new generation does not seem far behind. Ten years ago, Benzema, Di Maria, Bale and Robben were giving it all, but consider the age of Vinicius, Haaland, Saka, Williams, Foden, Wirtz and Yamal. They can play better in five years. We respect the generation of Shevchenko and Henry. We admire the reign of Ronaldo and Messi. But there is no point in humiliating Haaland, Mbappe and Kane. These three will be on the list of the most productive forwards in the history of football, if injuries do not interfere. There is no reason to complain, the forwards are still cool. And there is no Rodrigo from Real Madrid, Salah from Liverpool or many other productive strikers here.

Midfielders

2004: Deco, Nedved, Zagorakis, Kaka, Lampard, Figo, Zidane, Baraja, Maniche.

2014: Kroos, Yaya Toure, Götze, Iniesta, Schweinsteiger, Mascherano, Pogba.

2024: Rodri, Kroos, Bellingham, Calhanoglu, Odegaard, Olmo, Rice, Valverde, Vitinha, Xhaka.

Twenty years ago, Figo and Zidane were stepping down from the podium. Deco took third place, and 2003 Ballon d’Or winner Nedved was nearby. They noted the captain of the Greek national team Zagorakis, the European champion. Kaka and Lampard are absolute legends. The current coach of Valencia, Baraja, knew how to kick the ball, as did the master of long-range strikes, Maniche. And ten years later, Iniesta, Kroos and Toure were in the foreground. Schweinsteiger and Gotze became world champions. Mascherano earned the silver. There are no bad players here, although it is clear that Senor Iniesta is on a different level than Gotze with his injuries and illnesses. Although Andres has his minuses. For example, he scored fewer goals in La Liga in his career than defender John Terry in the Premier League. Nowadays, people pay more attention to midfielders. Kroos, Rodri and Xhaka are incredible representatives of the center of the field. The Spanish leader of Manchester City should be in the final three. He is the main competitor of Vinicius. Can we say that the midfielders have slid down in twenty years? Not true, there are great masters on all the lists.

Defenders

2004: Carvalho, Dellas, Maldini.

2014: Lahm, Ramos.

2024: Carvajal, Dias, Grimaldo, Hummels, Rudiger, Saliba.

Both then and now, defenders have slim chances of winning the Ballon d’Or, besides Cannavaro. Van Dijk was closest, but this time there was no place for Virgil in the top 30. But there are Spanish fullbacks Carvajal and Grimaldo. The list includes the Portuguese from Manchester City Dias, the Frenchman from Arsenal Saliba, and two Germans. Hummels did not play at Euro 2024, but he was in the Champions League final with Borussia D. Rudiger won with Real Madrid and also took part in the continental championship, where he lost to Spain on home soil. There are no questions about the Portuguese Carvalho and Maldini, twenty years ago they were stars of the first magnitude, and Paolo is an all-time legend. And Dellas was voted for because Greece won the European Championship. But he is weaker than Lahm and Ramos. And also than anyone on this year’s list. Once again, it cannot be said that football has been destroyed and that there are no bright representatives of the defensive line in the new generation.

Goalkeepers

2004: Buffon, Nikopolidis.

2014: Neuer, Courtois.

2024: E. Martinez.

This year there was not enough space for a second goalkeeper. But in such competitions, goalkeepers have even fewer chances than defenders. Even Buffon has never been awarded. But if you evaluate all ten candidates for the Yashin Trophy, you will see that the world is full of cool goalkeepers. And not only the most stellar ones were noted, Allison and Ederson are not there. Argentine Martinez carries us with his character and reaction. Young Courtois, Neuer and Buffon are definitely a higher class. But if you imagine the top ten goalkeepers of 2004, 2014 and 2014, there is no drop in class. Donnarumma, Mamardashvili and Lunin are young and promising players. Sommer, Simon and Maignan are experienced masters. Oblak is not on the list, but he is definitely not weaker than the Greek Nikopolidis.

Conclusions after comparison

When there is a circle of finalists, and they vote for everyone, then more attention is paid to different roles, and not just to central strikers. On the other hand, just as they used to prefer to put forwards in the top ten, so now they are the favorites. Rodri, if he snatches the Golden Ball from winger Vinicius, will be in line with Modric. Over the past fifteen years, only Luka has diluted the list of strikers with awards.

The fans have invented a “weak generation”. There is no tragic decline in class in any of the lines. Also, modern masters are more professional than their colleagues from the past. Adriano was fifth in the 2004 Golden Ball rating, but he drank and partied terribly. Deco and Rooney drank since school. Bellingham and Vinicius do not allow themselves to do this. When they reach their peak form, they will compete in achievements with legends;

Football has become even more popular in 20 years, the circle of special people has grown. You can remember, for example, Fernandes. Also, many monsters from Manchester City are not on the list. There was not enough room for promising young players, like Musiala. It is easy to compile a top 100 football players. They are all just under a microscope, it has become easier to criticize. Access to football has increased due to gadgets. But the general conclusion is that the grass was not greener before.

Ronaldo has achieved another achievement. Yesterday, the Portuguese beat Croatia, and Cristiano became the author of one of the goals. For him, it was the 900th in his professional career. This is a reason to remember what period each hundred occurred in.

The first goal was a solo effort by the daring Sporting junior

The Portuguese junior, who has not yet achieved international fame, was in the starting lineup for Sporting in the sixth round match against Moreirense. And this 17-year-old boy picks up the ball in the center of the field, breaks into the penalty area in a solo run and increases the Lisbon team’s lead. Even the start of Cristiano the goalscorer was spectacular.

100th goal — Ferguson’s favourite nails Tottenham in Cup

Sir Alex had already demanded the signing of the Portuguese winger and got the young Ron, and the footballer himself managed to score against the not yet rich Man City, Tottenham, Arsenal, Newcastle, and took part in the rout of the Magpies in the quarter-finals of the 06/07 Champions League.

Ronaldo exchanged his first hundred in January — in the 1/16 finals of the FA Cup. They played with Tottenham, the Spurs took the lead, but went into the break with the score at 1:1 (Tevez equalized). Already in the second half, they broke the resistance of the Londoners — Ronaldo first converted a penalty, and then scored a double.

200th goal — second season at Real, nails Valencia

Perez had already overwhelmed United with money — they got a cosmic 94 million euros for the Portuguese at that time. Cristiano responded with 26 goals in his first season. The anniversary came in the following campaign, when Ron had already met Messi (though at that time only the Catalans were in the cards — 3 Barça wins and Leo’s goal in the first three head-to-head encounters).

Cristiano saved his 200th goal for Valencia. Ron scored a brace against the “bats”. However, this did not reduce the degree of criticism for the competition lost to Barça, that season they lost the title to the Catalans and were eliminated by them in the Champions League semi-finals.

300th goal — season 11/12, Granada suffered

The “creamy” rehabilitated themselves for the weak previous season. This time they became champions, having collected 100 points. Cristiano himself steamrolled La Liga (46 goals and 12 assists in 38 matches). One of the goals came in the game with Granada. After an early goal, the opponent dug in at their penalty area and defended the result. Ron equalized, converting a penalty.

400th goal — Santa Barbara’s season with Atletico

Ronaldo had already won his second Ballon d’Or by that time, but the 13/14 campaign was marred not just by third place, but by Atletico’s championship. The “mattress makers” were three points ahead of both the “creamy” and “Barcelona”.

In the championship, the “galacticos” lost and tied with Atletico, but responded with two “dry” matches in the Cup semi-finals (and eventually won the trophy). But what was more important was the Champions League final. The “creamy” got there by beating both finalists of the previous Champions League (Bayern and Borussia). At the end of the regular time of the Madrid derby — 1:1, Ramos saved them from defeat. In extra time, the “creamy” finished off their opponents. But the 400th goal happened long before that — in January 2014, Ron and Benzema knocked out Celta.

500th goal — Ron scores in the Champions League with the captain’s armband

The Champions League group stage, Real Madrid starts its third season without a La Liga title (and will again only be second), but with aspirations for the main European Cup. It’s frankly boring in the group with Shakhtar, Malmo and PSG. Cristiano scored his latest milestone goal against the Swedes.

The 600th goal is absolute recognition, the greatest among jubilee goals

The confrontation between Ronaldo and Messi is a golden football classic, with one Ballon d’Or after another being played out between them (and at the end of 2017, Ron will again equal the Argentine in the number of awards).

This is the time when the “creamy” team under Zidane’s leadership fly into space and take three Champions Leagues in a row. And Ronaldo has already achieved so many achievements that he deserves to celebrate this anniversary in style. In the final of the CL-16/17, they meet Juve. The Portuguese opens the scoring, but the Turin team finds something to respond with. 1:1 by the 60th minute, Casemiro puts the “creamy” team ahead again with a long-range shot. And Ronaldo later scores a double — he shoots past Buffon into the near corner. This goal is the 600th — and the winning one for the “creamy”.

700th goal brightens up a terrible match vs Ukraine

Cristiano probably wanted to forget that match as soon as possible. Yes, he scored — but with the score 0:2 in favor of the Ukrainians. Hopes for a comeback ultimately did not come true. The qualifying tournament for Euro 2020 did not turn out very well, although there were no problems with qualifying for the final tournament.

800th goal — spectacular reunion with Man Utd

The beautiful story of Ron’s signing at United (later it grew into a scandalous farewell). Ferguson once gave him the road to big football, prepared him for Real. Now Ron was returning to his native club as a living legend — one of the two best players of our time. The fans hoped that he would revive the Red Devils.

And in his first season, he scored 18 goals in the Premier League. A brace for Arsenal allowed them to reach their ninth hundred goals. The game was difficult — they had to recoup, after the break Fernandes equalized. Then Ron put MU ahead, but the Mancunians immediately conceded the second. And in the 70th, Ronaldo still pulled out a victory for the club.

900th goal — well-deserved retirement in Saudi Arabia, Croatia nailed

An impressive figure — when you look at the origins of such statistics, you feel the breath of time. It is not for nothing that the head coach of Portugal Roberto Martinez says:

This is a historic moment. 900 goals is incredible. And it is true that he scored the 900th goal playing for the national team, because he is devoted to it, he helps young footballers in the locker room. I think the fans appreciated it. And to score the 900th goal on the day of Pepe’s honor is an even more special event.

Now Ronaldo is playing quietly for pleasure in Saudi Arabia. Even his retirement, the forward caused a stir — other stars flocked to the Middle East. He scores quietly for himself for Al-Nassr, contributes to brand recognition. And he occasionally scores for the national team. The 900th goal — in the first round of the League of Nations against Croatia. The Portuguese won.

Messi had a whole year off

Personnel from FIFA, UEFA and France Football confused the fans by scattering the ceremonies and changing the rules. Čeferin captured the Ballon d’Or from the following season. The French publication, in conjunction with UEFA, determines the best football player in the world based on the results of the football “year” from the beginning of club tournaments to the end of cups for national teams. But people from FIFA gave “The Best” awards at the end of the year.

The 2022 World Cup cannot be taken into account. This is written in the rules, but the captains of the national teams did not read them. Messi was chosen by players from Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba and Australia. It’s only the letter “a”. Lionel himself voted for Haaland, Mbappe and Alvarez. But the assessment deadline is August 20th. Messi gave the podium to his teammate, who was a substitute before De Bruyne’s injury.

Where did Messi get 48 points in the end? Recount after the sum of the votes of fans, journalists, captains and coaches of national teams. Haaland also has 48 points, but Lionel has more first places from the captains, so he has the prize. However, PSG was knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern. Messi was a shadow on the pitch along with Mbappe and Neymar. Then Lionel, who did not become the best in Ligue 1, cursed the Parisians and left overseas.

Messi had fun in the USA, playing for the penultimate team in the Eastern Conference. And he didn’t fight at the America’s Cup; the tournament was postponed to this year. Everyday life of a pensioner. Messi won the League Cup with Inter Miami, but for such a trophy it is ridiculous and stupid to give the award to the best player of the year. The Ballon d’Or could be explained, the World Cup had an impact, but the new award is outrageous.

And the most offensive thing is that professional football players are to blame for this. It was they who presented Messi with the award, although even after the Golden Ball, where the results of the 2022 World Cup could be taken into account, they popularly explained to everyone that last year Lionel did not show anything incredible, spent a quiet period after moving to the USA, scored several goals in the new place.

Big football stars are to blame

Footballers have ruined various polls a hundred times. They are not masters of football analytics. Married Dani Alves is in prison, accused of raping him in a toilet. Promes faces a conviction for drug trafficking in a two-body case and a prison sentence for attacking his cousin with a knife. The Premier League and Serie A are serving suspensions for betting on football. Pogba was caught with steroids.

Walker came drunk to a bar with his mistress (his wife and children were at home), took off his pants and pestered strangers. Neymar will have two children within a few months of each other. Al-Hilal coach Jesus directly said that Junior is not a professional. Ronaldo won’t win the Nobel Prize in Physics, but at least he’s obsessed with football. But Cristiano is biased, he is also a bad jury member.

Ronaldo refused to vote. He was offended by Infantino that he was not on the list of nominees. Portuguese Pepe put Bernardo Silva first, then Haaland and Osimhen. Not the worst three, but Bernardo is not the best footballer of the year. And don’t think that only guys from Africa and Oceania have an inadequate choice. Portugal coach Martinez chose Croatian Brozovic.

Marcelo is a great footballer, but not the player of the year. At the same time, he received the votes of Modric, Jovetic and the captain of the Canadian team, since he comes from the Balkans. And Messi was put in first place by Lukaku, Dzeko, Falcao, Modric, Kjær, Salah, Kane, Hradecky, Mbappe, Son, Ochoa, Donnarumma and other captains. They chose their favorite football player. A player who is admired.

And it was necessary to choose the best. Among the captains, Messi scored 677 points against Haaland’s 557. Although the coaches are smarter, they understand football better — 541 points for Haaland and 476 for Lionel. Journalists destroyed Messi, the Argentine scored 315 points against Erling’s 729. Four different votes were held — there is still a choice from the fans so that Lionel receives the prize through a draw.

Infantino likes scandals like this

Haaland could have won if Infantino had recorded a video explaining the rules that Messi’s victory at the World Cup cannot be taken into account. But Gianni needs hype, he is happy about Messi’s scandalous victory. Haaland’s win made headlines, Lionel’s win caused outrage. And this is after accusations of selling the Ballon d’Or, because the organizer of the award now works for PSG.

There have been many unfair prizes in football. They deprived worthy people of attention and created commercial cults. Professionals should vote. Small strong jury. The national team captains turned out to be the weak link in the chain, as were the bots who were charged with Messi’s victory. We hardly imagine an intelligent fan who does not understand the simple conditions of the competition.

“The Best” for the period from the end of the World Cup to the start of the new club season should have been given to Haaland. He updated the Premier League record for goals in a season, won the Champions League and the treble. In the first season in the new club! The results of the new championship are not important, but Erling has not stopped scoring, he is not a hero of one season. Messi is a legend, but he does not deserve the title of best player on the planet in 2023.

Officials and national team captains are to blame that Messi, after a draw with Haaland, received an award for the events of the year before last. There has never been such a tent before. Moreover, the captain of the Russian national team, Jikia, turned out to be no smarter than his colleagues. For him, Kvaratskhelia became the best football player on the planet. A Moscow boy with his Georgian parents celebrated the Georgians from Napoli, Messi and De Bruyne.

In the overall table, Kevin almost caught up with Mbappe. Osimhen is fifth, and Kvaratskhelia is tenth. Khvicha deserved a high place, but only the captain and coach of the Georgian national team, Jikia and a journalist from Malta put him in first place. No comments. What’s even worse is that hundreds of jury members chose Messi, even though his 2023 year is no different from Ronaldo’s productive year. Retired legends in weak leagues.

Vinicius emphasized the rawness of coach Xavi

First, Vinicius got ahead of Kounde, went one on one and beat the Catalans’ reserve goalkeeper. Junior scored the second goal when Rodrigo made a brilliant opening on the right half-flank. His teammate generously rolled the ball to Vinicius, who beat Araujo in speed. Then, in the fight between these players, a foul occurred. The Uruguayan put his hand on the Brazilian’s shoulder in vain, the Real Madrid forward fell beautifully, the reason for the penalty is clear — forceful influence on the player in the attack. Madrid’s penalty was born after a combination, in which it also emphasized the inexperience of the Barcelona coach. Why play in the first minutes with such a high line? That the Girona players recently, when they scored four goals against the favorite away, that the Real Madrid players were now calmly running into the “pockets” in the Blaugranas defense. Araujo, Kounde, Christensen and Balde made mistakes before the break. When the entire four defense plays poorly, and the experienced Ter Stegen is not in goal, then three goals conceded is a logical result. Ancelotti caught Xavi, who decided to carry the ball against Real Madrid itself. In the first half, Barcelona spent 60% of the playing time in a positional attack, but the opponent did not stop the Catalans from setting traps for themselves by raising the line too high. Vinicius has three goals against Barcelona in the half, the fastest El Clasico hat-trick in the new century.

Barcelona are missing a defensive midfielder

It is clear that Xavi is working with handcuffs on his wrists. We are talking about financial problems and the limits that La Liga set in order not to send Barcelona to the Segunda after bankruptcy. Forced and correct measures. But when the Catalans decided to sign a new defensive midfielder after Busquets left for Miami — they gathered the old gang there with Messi, Suarez and Alba, Barcelona graduate Oriol Romeu had to pay extra to Girona to return to his native club. A humiliating situation, but Laporta decided not to part with a couple of valuable players in order to get money for new players. Xavi failed to bring Romeu to the peak of his form so that the newcomer could grow into the basis of Barcelona. Also, neither Gundogan nor de Jong became the Catalan Pirlo. It is clear that they do not have the characteristics to play in the style of Busquets, let Frenkie play in the center of defense when necessary. But going against Bellingham, whom Ancelotti had cleverly hidden from Barcelona’s traps, with two midfielders without a central deep manager, was a gift for everyone who passed the ball to Vinicius. Xavi could position Pedri, Gundogan and de Jong with an eye to the fact that Real are the favorites in the match. He refused to do so, for which he paid with three conceded goals in the half. Barcelona’s defense has deteriorated this season, best seen in their La Liga goal difference. Last season, in a similar period, they conceded 7 goals, and now 22. And systemic problems in defense, which affect the reluctance of inside players to work under pressure, and the problems of central midfielders without the ball, cannot be solved without the help of sporting director Deco. The Portuguese must look for the ideal newcomers; the success of Barcelona depends on his success in the market. In the meantime, we look at the edge, but we don’t see the confidence in Xavi’s eyes. He’s holding on, because he’s been in football for a long time, but the Catalans are angry with themselves that they’re setting themselves up stupidly and have forgotten how to score several goals in a row. The games against Granada, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia ended in a draw. It turned out even worse against Real, finishing with ten men after Araujo was sent off.

Xavi’s fate will be determined by the Champions League

A defeat in the Super Cup will not lead to the dismissal of the coach, since they did not prepare a strong coach to replace him. Pep Guardiola, since he is in touch with his brother Pere, the head of Girona, after the end of the season, if Xavi faces a big setback, he can recommend Michel Sanchez. But who said that his ideas, suitable for the middle peasant, will take root in a big club? Wise Ancelotti a month and a half ago suggested not criticizing Xavi. Carlo emphasized that Xavi knows the Barcelona system very well, which will improve the situation. But this was said by a person who benefits from the poor play of Real Madrid’s principal rival. The cunning Ancelotti works on experience. Experienced Simeone’s Atlético played passively in the semifinals, for which they paid in overtime, for which the Los Blancos had a little more strength left. But the young coach Xavi’s Barcelona too naively and zealously ran towards the opponent’s goal, which led to sharp scoring attacks by the opponent.

Let Xavo himself remind his players that the days of Guardiola and Messi are over, where is the new style of Barcelona? It will not be easy for the Catalans against Napoli, although Spalletti’s team is destroyed, with the new coaches the Italian champions are much weaker. Barcelona can finish in fourth place in La Liga, where they were first last spring when Lewandowski played more successfully and Ter Stegen carried him. Now there is definitely no progress, so it is possible and necessary to criticize Xavi, the criticism is to the point. When you want to beat Real Madrid in any final, you have to be smarter. Especially given Ancelotti’s successful attempts to learn how to beat Xavi’s Barcelona, regardless of the course of the matches. The Catalans had approaches and could have made the score 3:2 at the end of the first half. But if you give Real three goals before the break, then get ready to see Bellingham with his first trophy in the Madrid club. Considering the beautiful semi-final with Atlético Madrid and Vinicius’s benefit performance against Barcelona, Los Blancos can be called deserved winners of the Spanish Super Cup. We saw the fifth El Clasico hat-trick of the new century. Messi has two such feats, Suarez and Benzema have one each. Ronaldo has no hat-tricks for Barcelona, but Vinicius wrote his name in the history of El Clasico, and for dessert he also gave an assist on Rodrigo — a 4:1 victory.

The Portuguese scored 468 goals in eight years

For the best eight years, overall he is on his way to the nine hundredth goal in his career. Ronaldo is in his eighth year with 50 goals and 14 assists for club and country, up from 16 goals and 4 assists a year ago. In 2011, Cristiano scored 60 goals for the first time, and two years later he set a personal record of 69 goals. After turning thirty, the striker had an impressive streak, scoring 53 goals or more three years in a row. Now he had reached the fifty mark, and this is the first such feat in six years.

This is where the understanding comes that in European football, especially in crisis clubs like Juventus and Manchester United, Cristiano could not get that high in terms of goals. At the same time, critics of Ronaldo’s behavior in Italy and England are also right. The forward was angry at his young teammates that there was no synchronicity among Real Madrid’s elite, and he was angry at himself, because the forward had more pauses in the game, and his sharpness on the field had noticeably decreased.

Elite defenders could handle it. Even in the quarter-finals of the World Cup a year ago against Morocco, although Ronaldo had more than half an hour of play after coming on as a substitute, he was unable to turn the tide of the match due to his freshness and lead Portugal to the semi-finals. But in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, or in the Euro 2024 qualifying against average opponents, his statistics are impressive. From a technical point of view, Ronaldo is an impeccable machine, his shots, openings and positioning are beyond any praise even now.

Coaches in Europe don’t want to mess with CR7

One of the most famous people on the planet could become part of Manchester City’s winning machine. We see that Doku replaced Grealish in the City team. Ronaldo could have played with Haaland in attack, but refused Guardiola’s invitation because the Manchester United legends called him. He did not repeat the path of Denis Law, but he made an enemy in the person of ten Hag. The coach’s subsequent actions show that two stubborn people were arguing with Ronaldo. With Cristiano, thanks to his goals in the Champions League, Manchester United advanced from the group. But we remember how it ended — first they were eliminated in the playoffs by Atletico. And later they didn’t make it to the top 4 in the Premier League.

Ronaldo cannot show the results of the Saudi Arabia league level in the Premier League and Serie A, the difference in workload and care is visible. In the land of the sheikhs, he often delivers beautiful long-range shots that will be saved by goalkeepers in Europe. If you look at a clip of 50 goals per year, a significant part of them are shots half a meter from the goalkeeper’s body, which was not grouped correctly. There are no questions for Cristiano himself, he chooses the safest way to score the ball, does not try to aim at the corners, risking missing. And beautiful goals also happen, because this is one of the greatest players in history. But we see poor performances by goalkeepers more often than masterpieces.

In Europe, the coaches of Chelsea and Bayern were in no hurry to invite Ronaldo, fearing the conflicts he had in Turin and Manchester. They probably did the right thing. It’s always a shame to watch great players fall into the dust when competing with physically developed young athletes. In Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is in his place. Nobody watches full matches, but Cristiano’s statistics are great. In the Sheikh League, the Portuguese is the coolest player along with Benzema. Their performances are reminiscent of Luis Suarez’s performances for Gremio in Brazil. Great forwards had fun at a low level for themselves at an advanced football age.

Ronaldo could score in the Champions League

Cristiano’s career was managed by former DJ Mendes, who made a fortune from the talent of others. The player is also helped by friend Ricky Regufe, another freeloader. The marketer did not find a team from the Champions League for Cristiano, although an athlete of this level could walk in team matches with a choreographed game and score dozens of goals, including in the Champions League. In the Portuguese national team, where a talented generation gathered, Ronaldo did well in the Euro selection. Although even without him the team is strong. Al-Nassr is much weaker, Cristiano is more important to them. Ronaldo likes this addiction. The player regrets that he did not get to Saudi Arabia earlier.

In a sandy country, a Portuguese is like a member of the royal family. Although not everything goes smoothly. There are conflicts with fans of other clubs; they chant Messi’s name. Ronaldo is infuriated by weak referees, sometimes making questionable decisions in central matches, as recently on the day of the defeat from Malcolm’s team with a score of 3:0. But in parallel with criticism and bullying, Ronaldo receives the support and love of Saudi fans of Al-Nassr and personal fans from all over the world. Back in Real Madrid, people began to whistle at him at the Santiago Bernabeu when he stopped scoring 50 goals a year, as he was accustomed to. But it’s strange to demand proof of class from an almost 39-year-old player.

Of course, in the Premier League and any other serious league, Ronaldo would have fewer successful matches and goals. Cristiano ended up in a place where his narcissism will be fed, which is bad, but he will be able to calmly prepare for Euro 2024, surrounded by care and compliments, which always made him melt. Maybe later he’ll get tired of everything and get angry, but for now he is happy. The money factor did not send him to the USA to join Messi, but next year Inter Miami will play against Al-Nassr. This is probably Lionel’s last match against Cristiano at the professional level. But even knowing how weak the teams the football legends represent does not prevent you from enjoying their decisions on the field. They are undoubtedly great football players.

Pochettino took points from all the leaders

In the first round, Chelsea did not lose to Liverpool, the 1:1 draw was in Klopp’s favor, because the Londoners played no worse and quickly equalized the score. Few could suggest that defeats from the middle peasants awaited ahead. But in the match against Arsenal, Pochettino’s team rallied again and did not allow Arteta to win three points. Another draw, this time 2:2 with a crazy shot from Mudryk behind the collar of the goalkeeper. Then they set the bar for the show, but now they have moved to a new level.

Two sendings off in the derby with Chelsea forced Tottenham coach Postecoglou to place the defensive line in the middle of the field, which the opponent took advantage of, because Spurs have a catastrophic personnel situation. In addition to red cards, injuries have an impact. Pochettino won 1:4 against his former club. They also scored four goals against Manchester City, and the main twist of the crazy match was that they could have won. The Frenchman Malo Gusto had an ideal striking position. Guardiola’s side could have conceded five goals in rainy London but had five shots from outside Ederson’s area before the break.

It was the first time Guardiola had played with such an insane score, and in all the Premier League matches before the meeting with former players Palmer and Sterling, the champions conceded only eight times. It is clear that Chelsea’s open style of play leads to trouble at Sanchez’s goal — they also conceded four goals. But at the same time, the Londoners are forcing tactically pretentious opponents like Manchester City to play to their tune. Ederson is disappointed. Now Pochettino has three world titles and a victory over the top four in the Premier League.

Chelsea benefits from the freshness of its players

The “aristocrats” had terrible statistics against the “citizens”, before the match it seemed to many that there was no chance. But the London club does not play in European competitions. Even when there are monsters opposite, like Manchester City — a tall and physically powerful team, Chelsea have enough, if not freshness, then simply strength to respond to every blow with an attempt of their own. Eloquent statistics — there were 19 shots on target in the match, almost equality, 9:10 in favor of Manchester City. But even when the Londoners worked without the ball, they rarely lost speed to their opponents.

It’s just that Rodri, Halland and Akanji are such agile guys that they will definitely find their moment. And here, in addition to the physical component, Pochettino’s freshness works. The Argentine calmly prepared for a difficult match, knowing about the pause for national team matches after that. Chelsea gave it their all and improved their position at the top of the Premier League table for independent viewers. Liverpool and Arsenal now have only one point less than Manchester City. And Spurs are only two points behind the leader. We also note Aston Villa, because Emery beat Chelsea away. But then Pochettino’s team was in a different state, they allowed the opponent to impose their game.

Merry Londoners will move up the table

A billion-euro team can’t play poorly forever. They could either play until the coach changed, and then improve, or start gaining points. The market value of the Chelsea squad is a billion euros, and we are not just talking about crazy transfers named after the new co-owner of the club, Boehly. It is not surprising that fun football has appeared, which can distinguish the new project. The team from London were involved in crazy fights in the Premier League and the Champions League, but they were associated with cunning and physical pressure. After all, even legends like Drogba, Lampard and Terry were good athletes, and only then came the ideal work with the ball, like Hazard.

The champion Chelsea were arrogant, like the coaches who won these titles — Mourinho and Conte. The current team is noticeably younger, although veterans are successfully included in the composition. Thiago Silva will soon become the oldest defender in the history of the Premier League, but for now he scored a goal at 39 years old. Later, the veteran was unlucky, because the Brazilian cut the ball into his own goal after Rodri’s shot and lost in the fight to his opponents when Manchester City scored other goals. But the paradox is that four goals conceded does not spoil the impression of Chelsea’s attempt to play sincere football. Even center backs Disasi and Silva deserved compliments, which is rare when the score is 4–4. Londoners give a show, and this is psychologically important at this stage of team formation.

It’s important for Chelsea to learn to beat the average teams

Football players are getting in shape. Center forward Jackson has four goals in two matches, adding sharpness in front of goal, although he lacks class. Young midfielder Palmer came from Manchester City, scored the decisive fourth goal for his former team from the penalty spot, his nerves were in perfect order. Before the match, Guardiola royally answered a question about selling high-level players like Sterling, Zinchenko and Jesus to competitors. He said that players have the right to change teams, and big clubs are not afraid to release players to strong opponents. Chelsea is not yet a competitor to Manchester City, but Pochettino was helped out by former City players.

One week can change everything, the home defeat to Brentford was overturned. Next up for Chelsea is Newcastle, which also has injuries and problems like Tottenham. Before the end of the year, the “aristocrats” will play against Brighton and Manchester United. It seems that for footballers from London, matches against strong opponents are easier in a moral sense. Perhaps it is tactically clearer to them when the opponent opens up and does not work like an average player. For example, Manchester City were caught out by a difficult attack on the right flank, and midfielder Enzo Fernandez was driven from the center to the left flank of defense to prevent Foden and Walker from turning around.

Pochettino was so caught up in the crazy game that he forgot to shake Guardiola’s hand due to arguments with the referee. Yesterday, the Argentine showed that he had been in troubles and recalled that he reached the Champions League final. Although Chelsea did not solve the fundamental problems in defense, there were serious mistakes in the defensive area, on the flanks and in the center of defense. Pochettino has his work cut out for him, but the team has come back to life after a bad spell with a soulless, mechanical and slow game.

In the world of football, the beauty of the sport extends beyond the pitch and into the realm of aesthetics. One of the most recognizable and cherished aspects of the game is the football kit — those iconic shirts, shorts, and socks that not only represent a team’s identity but often become symbols of history, success, and passion. While opinions about what constitutes the “best” kit are subjective, here’s a list of 20 of the most iconic football kits of all time, celebrated for their style, historical significance, and enduring appeal.

10. Denmark 1986

No football shirt will be all things to all men — and yet Denmark’s 1986 resolution of halved segments is just that. It’s gentle pinstripes and pure red: all at once. It’s jarring on an 80s TV set and dazzling in person. It’s both minimal and loud.

This is a football shirt like nothing else in history and yet it’s totally impossible to copy it and do it better than the original. Denmark took one of these to the 1986 World Cup and a white version with the badge inverted, while the likes of Southampton and Aston Villa were given similar designs by the brand. But there’s no beating this one. Even the no-frills, no-logo protests of Qatar don’t come close. It’s Laudrup the elder, Simonson and Molby in full throttle: it’s devastating.

9. Belgium 1984

Diamonds are formed under extreme pressure. The Belgium shirt of 2018 was inspired by another, as the Red Devils wore this at Euro 84. OK, so they only won once and bombed out in the group stages — but they looked incredible. Take that, fire sleeves.

8. Spain 1996

Another fascinating take on the Three Stripes. Spain wore this top in England for Euro 96, which featured a navy sleeve and the Spanish Football Federation’s logo in the background of the red. The touches of gold are a great touch — and after the diamond-lined ’94 effort, this felt like a continuation of sorts. It wouldn’t look out of place on the back of a filly at the Grand National.

7. Brazil 1970

The outfit that the greatest team of all time wore. All that Brazil needed was a bright yellow and rounded collar, as Pele and co. shone in the Mexican summer. Intriguingly, they had two kit manufacturers back then — one for the first half, one for the second. This entry on our list is a joint one of sorts, in which case.

6. West Germany: home, 1998–90

According to legend, the pattern is supposed to represent West Germany’s timeline. Victory in 1974 at the World Cup cascades down to the low point four years later, as they’re dumped out at the second group stage. They then lost two consecutive finals before the pattern’s steep incline to 1990’s last win as West Germany. A lovely idea… if ruined its appearance on Boca Juniors, Leicester City and Cork City shirts, before it was mirrored for 2018’s disastrous tournament in Russia.

The fact is that the Deutsch pattern on Italia 90’s top doesn’t have to mean anything. It’s still arguably the most recognisable geometric squiggle in international football history, emblazoning the German flag in a way that connected the eye-catching primary hues of the 80s and the polygonal experiments of the early 90s. It was so great that the German badge had to awkwardly sit above.

5. Nigeria 2018

This is the product that changed football kit culture forever. Inspired by those 90s eagle feathers, this ascended beyond football fans and became an item of clothing that couldn’t be bought for love nor money — it convinced manufacturers that playing it safe wasn’t safe at all. Nigeria’s 2018 home kit was part of a larger collection and a larger movement: it was worn once in Russia but more than that, it’s modern art.

4. Colombia 1990

The symmetrical shoulder bars were worn by plenty and very nearly covered up by Carlos Valderrama’s ridiculous barnet. But though Colombia struggled at Italia 90, they looked fresh as hell. Arguably the best yellow South American shirt not to have come out of Brazil.

3. France 1998

Ahh, c’est belle. France stood on top of the world in 1998 with a collection of nebulous misfits who hadn’t yet crystallised into their final form but Les Bleus’ home tournament vintage is the definitive look. The horizontal bands of red, the Adidas stripes, the golden cockerel, the collar for upturning in that very French fashion. It’s absolutely beautiful — and though France have gone darker for recent tournaments, the regal blue will never be bettered than that halcyon summer.

2. Netherlands 1988

If even Vincent van Gogh had created this masterpiece, we’re sure some people would’ve raised their eyebrows at just how spectacular it is. The perfect shading of orange bought together by the classic chevrons, a divine V-neck, the trefoil Adidas logo and that iconic Dutch lion badge all make this kit simply wonderful.

1. Mexico 1998

Depicting Aztec god Quetzalcoatl on the front of their shirts, Aba Sports took some local inspiration to make Mexico stand out in 1998. Patterned bases of tops had never been quite so brash and brilliant: it has become the considerable bar to which all over El Tri shirts have since been judged…

In the world of football, certain names resonate with fans across the globe, transcending the boundaries of the sport itself. One such name is Pierluigi Collina, a man whose unique combination of talent, charisma, and passion made him an iconic figure in the world of refereeing. As we delve into the life and career of Pierluigi Collina, we’ll explore why football is not actively seeking a new Collina, and why his legacy continues to shine brightly.

The Man Behind the Whistle

Pierluigi Collina was born on February 13, 1960, in Bologna, Italy. From a young age, it was evident that Collina had a deep love for football. However, he didn’t envision himself as a player or a coach but rather as a referee. This aspiration took him on a remarkable journey that would shape the way football fans perceive the often underappreciated role of referees.

Collina began his refereeing career in the lower tiers of Italian football, slowly working his way up the ranks. His dedication, knowledge of the game, and impeccable decision-making abilities soon caught the eye of football enthusiasts and officials alike. However, it wasn’t just his refereeing skills that set him apart; it was his unmistakable appearance.

The Iconic Look

One cannot discuss Pierluigi Collina without mentioning his iconic appearance. His shaved head, intense glare, and piercing blue eyes became his trademark. In a sport where referees often strive for anonymity, Collina was anything but anonymous. His unique look, coupled with his commanding presence on the field, made him instantly recognizable to fans and players alike. It was a look that struck fear into the hearts of some players while earning him immense respect from others.

The Journey to the Top

Collina’s journey to the pinnacle of refereeing took a major leap in 1995 when he officiated his first Serie A match. His performances in Italy’s top league were consistently impressive, earning him recognition as one of the best referees in the world. Collina’s international career as a referee also flourished, and he became a regular fixture in prestigious tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan was a defining moment in Collina’s career. He was appointed as the referee for the tournament’s final, where Brazil faced Germany. Collina’s handling of the high-pressure match showcased his unrivaled ability to control a game and make crucial decisions with composure. His presence on the field was so commanding that he received a standing ovation from both sets of players when he entered the pitch.

The Legacy of Collina

Pierluigi Collina’s legacy extends far beyond his impeccable refereeing skills and iconic appearance. He changed the way referees were perceived and elevated the importance of their role in the game. His dedication to the sport, commitment to fair play, and unwavering professionalism served as an inspiration to countless aspiring referees worldwide.

In an era when football is often marred by controversies, Collina’s name is synonymous with integrity. His decisions were not only respected but also rarely disputed. Players and managers knew that when Collina was in charge, the game would be officiated fairly and impartially.

Why Football is Not Looking for a New Pierluigi Collina

The simple truth is that football is not actively seeking a new Pierluigi Collina because he was a once-in-a-generation figure. His combination of expertise, presence, and charisma is nearly impossible to replicate. Here are a few key reasons why Collina is irreplaceable:

1. Unique Presence: Collina’s commanding presence on the field, coupled with his distinctive appearance, made him instantly recognizable. His aura demanded respect and adherence to the rules of the game.
2. Unmatched Expertise: Collina’s deep understanding of football rules and his ability to apply them consistently and fairly were unparalleled. He knew the game inside out, and this knowledge allowed him to make sound decisions under the most intense pressure.
3. Unwavering Integrity: Collina’s integrity was beyond reproach. He was incorruptible and never allowed external pressures to influence his decisions. His unwavering commitment to fairness and sportsmanship set a high standard for referees worldwide.
4. Inspiration to Others: Collina’s career served as an inspiration to countless young referees. His legacy lives on in the referees he mentored and those who aspire to follow in his footsteps.
5. Enduring Impact: Even after his retirement in 2005, Collina’s impact on the game persists. His influence on refereeing standards and ethics is still felt today, and his name remains synonymous with excellence in officiating.

Pierluigi Collina is a football legend in his own right, a man whose name will forever be associated with the beautiful game. His unique combination of skills, appearance, and unwavering commitment to integrity set him apart as a once-in-a-lifetime figure in the world of football refereeing. While football may not actively seek a new Pierluigi Collina, his legacy serves as a shining example for referees and fans alike, a reminder that excellence and integrity should always be at the heart of the sport we love.

Van Gaal believes Argentina was being dragged to the title

Louis van Gaal is on serious medication. There are many side effects, and the physical condition affects thoughts. The coach has a deadly disease. Grandpa Louis is seventy-two years old, at that age the intelligence is rarely the same as when he was young. So, the former coach of the Netherlands national team hinted at collusion at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar:

If you look at how Argentina scored goals, and how we scored, and how some Argentine players crossed the line and were not punished, I think it was all planned in advance. I mean exactly what I say. They wanted Messi to be world champion? Yes, I think so.

And Ibrahimovic had an interesting informal conversation in the winter. The Swede noted with a smile that everyone understands where the tournament is going — towards the victory of Messi. But conspiracy theorists took the phrase out of context. The Swede did not say that the matches were fixed, but the referee was bribed. He did not mention the secret puppeteers who make Saudi Arabia beat Argentina and prevent other teams from doing so. Moreover, Zlatan was rooting for Albiceleste, because he shared his expectations:

I hope Argentina wins the World Cup for Messi.

And after the sheikhs took Ibrahimovic to the tournament, the forward rated him 10 points in all respects. Therefore, it is understandable why even the captain of the Netherlands national team van Dijk was skeptical about the theory of Louis van Gaal:

Heard what was said this morning, but that’s all I know. This is Louis’ opinion. Everyone can have their own. I don’t think like him.

It is clear that van Gaal expressed his resentment from the defeat in the accusations. But it is interesting to understand the nature of the conspiracy theory that FIFA allegedly set up Messi’s victory. Because football can hardly be called a pure business.

There are many rigged tournaments in the history of football

Referees have always been bribed in European competition. There was a special person in Hungary, whose story we will definitely tell. He bought a referee for Italian clubs in the Champions Cup. And they always put pressure on referees at the world championships through politicians. The first “gold” of Italy in football in 1934 with a strong smell. Played at home, and the Nazis had a lot of weight in Europe.

The referees made blunders in favor of Italy and against its rivals. But there was no television and many repetitions to reliably check all the moments. The listener could not appreciate the episode on the radio. At the stadium, the audience did not have the best view and only one chance to remember all the details. Then talk about rigged titles side by side with faith in spiritualism.

But there were enough inconsistencies in 1934. Italy recruited foreigners with grandmothers from Naples into the national team. Spanish goalkeeper Zamora injured his eye in a draw with Italy, did not go to the replay. Even in 1978, at a tournament in Argentina, the hosts won after scandals. Cruyff was afraid to go to a country where hundreds of people were kidnapped, because before that they tried to steal his children.

However, not only in the 20th century there were big scandals. Before VAR in the Champions League, they scored from offsides. South Korea was drawn to the 2002 World Cup. Blatter was up to his ears in corruption, Hiddink’s success with the Asian team can be safely called into question. The Italian giants were rightly accused of fixing matches. The French Marseille was taken away the championship title of the era of the head Bernard Tapie, bought rivals and referees.

In Soviet football, there were many match-fixing matches. The participants of the matches, since the statute of limitations has long expired, calmly tell the details. Unfortunately, football is not a pure sport. But how to adjust the victory of a particular team at the 2022 World Cup? Especially if they win on penalties, like Portugal at Euro 2016.

Argentina turned out to be an incredibly lucky national team

We understand the nature of the theory that Messi was “helped” to win the World Cup. Paying tribute to the work of Scaloni, the game of Lionel, goalkeeper Martinez and all other players, in parallel, it should be noted the luck of Argentina. Penalty shootouts and a rescue against France put the imagination to work. It’s like Maradona’s handball against England. In 99.99% of cases, the referee would have noticed the violation.

But Diego fought with FIFA, there is no doubt that he was just lucky. Germany accidentally beat Brazil 7–1. The match was not fixed, although the Brazilians have such a theory. And if the officials are tweaking the results of the World Cup, why didn’t Messi beat the unpopular Germans in Rio de Janeiro? The referee did not help beat Neuer. In Qatar, you have to blame half the world for an incredible title for Argentina.

Many form armies of followers through insane theories. The Internet has accelerated the delivery of wild thoughts into other people’s heads. But Argentina really fought for the long-awaited title. If someone needs Messi’s victories, why couldn’t even win the America’s Cup for so long? And no one bothered the Dutch to take better penalties in the series. Van Gaal also forgot one very important detail.

The coach himself turned the game with Argentina into a dirty one. Louis sent wards to put pressure on the daring Argentines. The Dutch representatives were the “bad guys” in the clash where Messi sent a Riquelme-style message to the opposing coach, using a playmaker gesture with which Van Gaal had conflicts. Also in the conspiracy in favor of Argentina was to participate in the newcomer PSG.

France’s Kolo missed out on a one-on-one in the final, one of the best matches in football history. The simplest conclusion is often the correct one. The Argentines won, because they showed character and got in shape during the tournament. They were also luckier, but that’s usually what happens with champions. The Hungarians got up on the wrong foot — the Germans took the first title, although at that time almost the whole world hated them.

Baggio missed — the Brazilians took the title. Brazilian Ronaldo almost died — Frenchman Zidane became world champion a day later. Trezeguet hit the crossbar — Italy won. But Portugal in Qatar flew out by Morocco, although the true fans of conspiracy theories were waiting for the final of Ronaldo against Messi.