2026 World Cup

[SB]

If I was Argentinian I’d be embarrassed to be represented that way. To be honest I don’t think many of the Sth American sides covered themselves in glory.

To clarify my comments, I can’t stand the way they play football, falling to the ground when touched, surrounding referees to intimidate them every time they perceive an injustice, players on the bench entering the field of play ( or at least being on the sideline intimidating the Ref ) any time they feel hard done by, the win at all costs even if it means crippling someone, the absolute aggression they show etc etc etc. That is not the beautiful game that I love. They act more like MMA than footballers.

[ChesterDave]

I fail to see how the full quote makes their snide cuntery any better representation of their country.

[Bloodraven]

I fail to see how the full quote makes their snide cuntery any better representation of their country.

so this is a political post, rather than a footballing one?

[Bloodraven]

To clarify my comments, I can’t stand the way they play football, falling to the ground when touched, surrounding referees to intimidate them every time they perceive an injustice, players on the bench entering the field of play ( or at least being on the sideline intimidating the Ref ) any time they feel hard done by, the win at all costs even if it means crippling someone, the absolute aggression they show etc etc etc. That is not the beautiful game that I love. They act more like MMA than footballers.

Isn't this both the Madrid teams, Porto / Sporting (I can't remember which game I watched as was so ****ed off) and a few others we've seen in the Champions League recently?

[SB]

Isn't this both the Madrid teams, Porto / Sporting (I can't remember which game I watched as was so ****ed off) and a few others we've seen in the Champions League recently?

Yeah the histrionics are the same & I blame referees for that. I think the referees at the WC were better at not falling for us much of the ****tiness in the game. But regarding the level of thuggery only Atletico Madrid comes close & no surprise they are coached by an Argentine.

[Exiled_red]

I think that there is a difference in culture and approach here between the European and (some of the) South American teams/audiences and approach to the game (not wanting to stereotype unnecessarily) I think that (some of the) South American teams value winning at all costs, think Maradona and the "hand of God", Suarez handball. The European approach tends to be more critical of this (particularly in others). Alot of Argentina teams in particular that I can remember have had that edge/dirtiness/whatever you want to call it, so I am not surprised at all by how they played, for me that has always gone alongside some of the undoubted ability than some of their best players have had and that combination is a big part of why they have been successful. I am not really qualified to speak on this but I wouldn't be surprised if the people in Argentina were proud of their side, they did after all overcome some adversity to reach the WC final and while they didn't play well in the final and ultimately lost and you can criticise the tactics/approach/whatever, like many other countries have/will and the scenes at the end were unacceptable, but up to that point surely reaching a WC final is something to celebrate.

[ChesterDave]

so this is a political post, rather than a footballing one?

How have you concluded that? The player referenced how they represented their country. I think their behaviour on the pitch was rancid and cunty.