Claudius wrote:

It's a one-dimensional view of the game for people who like dribbling. As I said, this is a Swiss Army knife footballer. It's no mistake he is regarded one of the top 2 in the game at present, and one of top 5 ever.

c'mon man no Pool fan is gonna put Ronaldo on that high of a pedestal 🙂

Tambourine Man wrote:

It's harsh to say that footballers wouldn't amount to anything if they weren't footballers. To play at the top level you need a brain that processes things quicker than the average human being, that combined with the work ethic that every professional has is a recipe for success. Just because they use their brain and discipline for football currently, it doesn't mean they wouldn't have been able to use it for something else if necessary.

Yeah except processing a game of football is quite different from processing e.g. a mathematical or legal problem.

Gurgen wrote:
Tambourine Man wrote:

It's harsh to say that footballers wouldn't amount to anything if they weren't footballers. To play at the top level you need a brain that processes things quicker than the average human being, that combined with the work ethic that every professional has is a recipe for success. Just because they use their brain and discipline for football currently, it doesn't mean they wouldn't have been able to use it for something else if necessary.

Yeah except processing a game of football is quite different from processing e.g. a mathematical or legal problem.

Conversely, there would never be a suggestion that an individual with a great mind for processing and analysing data quickly could utilise those skills as a top level athlete, with the correct application. 

I also found it interesting that there is a belief that the right desire would see someone with that drive and application succeed in other fields. It takes no account of the background or opportunities, or lack thereof, available to some of the highest achieving footballers.

One thing to consider. The guys we admire are the very best. They are the top 1% of the top 1% in their field. This is often lost on people watching professional footballers. In order to achieve this, all they do from a very early age is develop every element of their footballing ability. This is the same of guys who hit the heights in music,programming, business, or other fields. They’re constantly honing their ability. So there is the opportunity issue that some of have mentioned, but there is also just that to be the best in this field you really need to zero in at the expense of everything else. A footballer who gives up 2 hours of football practice a day because he also loves tuba is not going to make it to this level. And he probably doesn’t have the same time for math and science you and I had either. It’s an explicit choice you make that will make you less capable in traditional fields.

It doesn't take into account interest and the impact that has on work ethic either. I doubt he'd be as enthusiastic about being winning the Accountant D'or.

e: y va/Jones. Take it to PM if you want to carry on the discussion.

Semi final draw prediction:

Real Madrid vs Bayern
Roma vs Liverpool

Not fussed who we get, on our day I believe we will beat anyone in our path.

Madrid vs Us would be a spectacle.

Liverpool - Roma
Real - Bayern

Pretty much the most boring draw that could have happened.

I think they’ll be two good games actually.

Tickets for the match against Liverpool were available on Roma's website an hour before the draw. 😆 They even had the home game/away game order right.

Anfield 1884 wrote:

Semi final draw prediction:

Real Madrid vs Bayern
Roma vs Liverpool

Not fussed who we get, on our day I believe we will beat anyone in our path.

Madrid vs Us would be a spectacle.

I predicted correctly!

We're going to decimate these Italians! We'll smell the final.

That's such a deliciously quotable post.

goon wrote:

I think they’ll be two good games actually.

Also sets up an interesting final.

Lucky Scousers. We, of course, get the worst draw possible.

Wouldn't underestimate Roma. They have the best goalie in the world and clearly have the potential to beat anyone on their day, had the harder road to the semis than Liverpool too. I'd even have them slight favourites if they're at 100%

If Roma don't go through I might not even watch the final. Can't stand any of the other teams and genuinely would struggle to cheer on anyone. fuck that anyone but Bayern all fucking day

Roma should beat them, they are a better team in most ways, but they have to perform. No stupid mistakes.

Bet the Liverpool players are mentally punching the air and high fiving that draw.

Lulled into a sense of overconfidence that they will try to talk away.

That will be their undoing.

I hope.