One thing I didn't really realise until I saw the celebrations in Buenos Aires is while we're bitching about a winter WC half the world will probably be pretty happy about it being in December
World Cup 2022
anything to avoid the Messi hysterics we're being plastered with alll across social media and in person from people who never watched a whole game of football in their lives before the WC.
A France win would have been meh, couple days celebration for their fans etc but it would end there.
The MessiMania will be unbearable though. If only he spent the majority of his career anywhere else but Barca (obviously not the usual PL culprits), then I'd probably have appreciated him a whole lot more. But oh well. Glad this gruff is done and we can get back to the reall football.
Do you think the "Messi hysteria" is unwarranted?
I hadn't watched much of the World Cup beyond England's games and the odd bits and pieces, but what an incredibly insane game of football we were treated to last night. Kylian Mbappe's one man, shock and awe rescue mission for a France team who seemed completely dead will live long in the memory. But ultimately, not quite as long as the sight of Lionel Messi finally fulfilling the destiny his talent demanded. I was thinking, when I read Cesc's tribute to him on Insta last night, that Cesc had won the World Cup by the time he was 22 - it seems crazy that the best player of my lifetime has had to wait his entire career to do the same. The vagaries of team sports.
Having really been turned off by Emi Martinez's constant jibbering since leaving Arsenal, I found myself feeling really pleased for him last night, the level of his shithousing seemed very Arteta appropriate, but that ship has now sailed. Nonetheless, a great save at the end and his decision to forsake trophies at club level for international glory has been well and truly vindicated. I reckon he owes Neal Maupay a beer.
Sorry mate but your views on football are forever null and void. I'm even starting to think we should have a second look at Aouar.
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RocktheCasbah Having really been turned off by Emi Martinez's constant jibbering since leaving Arsenal, I found myself feeling really pleased for him last night, the level of his shithousing seemed very Arteta appropriate, but that ship has now sailed.
He's someone you hate but secretly like or at least find amusing. Someone was complaining last time Arsenal fans booed him but how can you not? Classic pantomime villain.
Clrnc Would've been an awful decision, he's a brilliant CB to be fair though.
Arteta has a bunch of these calls now, wanted to sign Raphinha Martinez Tapsoba Vlahovic etc, even White if we're being honest isn't nearly as good at CB which he was supposed to play. Reckon he's performed some satanic rituals last summer this level of luck is something else.
Big Willie He's the greatest ever and the age old discussion of who the 
is can be put to rest, some hysterics are warranted.
I don't like Barcelona but I'm happy he was mostly there, I hate Madrid a lot more and the only other clubs that could've afforded him are English bar PSG obviously.
This WC was insane, obviously I'm biased but honestly probably the best I've seen since the US/France. Don't know if my body is to return to watching Artetaball.
It's the best since World Cup 98 for me. 2010 would have been pretty good if it wasn't for Spain and their soul draining brand of football getting the trophy.
The narrative of this world cup with Messi winning it tops it for me though, probably the most memorable.
QuincyAbeyie QuincyAbeyie Yes... No. Maybe? I dunno. Can you repeat the question?
I am biased though, and pretty heavily at that. He's a great player. One of the all time greats, for sure. The talk of Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi has always been bullshit to me as there was never any doubt Messi is on another level to Cristiano in almost all facets and is equal in just about anything else so this win alone isn't something that was needed for that. He's rightfully up there amongst the all time greats for what he's done throughout his career and not just because he won last night. It must feel amazing for him to finally win the WC after nearly ending his international career with no trophies a few years ago when he quit the NT so good for him.
I'm just not so invested in the love fest that some of you feel. I could understand it if he really did carry this team to the WC. I mean I've seen Messi carry teams before in the past and win almost everything on offer. This time however he has a lot to thank his team mates for. He got the trophy and will get all the plaudits like Ronaldo did when he won the Euros but one didn't even play in the final, and the other wasn't even his team's best performer. Di Maria and Martinez (just like at the Copa America mind you) were huge reasons for the win, especially Martinez.
The story that he got them the WC etc etc when 4 out of his 6 goals were penalties is a bit whatever. You could say that about Ronaldo at the 2002 world cup. Coming off the injury problems he had for the past 2 or so years, scoring in every game but the England match, finishing with 8 goals in the process, none of which were penalties btw. That was a monstrous WC effort by someone trying to right the wrongs of 98. For me still the greatest player I've ever watched play.
Oh looky there, that big wall of Messi hate managed to go through. Thanks @Pepe LeFrits 
jones That's the difference I reckon between me and you. You don't like Barca, I actively hate them for the shit they've made us go through over the years, and that's coming from someone who actually used to like them during the Ronaldo, Kluivert, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho days. So much shit I can't forgive them for and yes, it clouds my judgement even though I know the truth sometimes. I'm sure you'd be just as biased if he played for Bayern all those years 
Agreed though, this was one of the best WCs ever. And probably the best WC final I've ever watched, although at the 70 minute mark I was wondering why I even bothered to watch it. My word, the final 10 minutes and extra time was just out of this world. So many twists, turns, shifts in momentum. One for the ages.
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Big Willie He got the trophy and will get all the plaudits like Ronaldo did when he won the Euros but one didn't even play in the final, and the other wasn't even his team's best performer. Di Maria and Martinez (just like at the Copa America mind you) were huge reasons for the win, especially Martinez.
What does it even mean to "carry his team to the WC" then? Every team has more than one player being the reason for winning something, that's why a red card is a huge disadvantage for a team no matter who it is who gets it. I'm not sure if you're talking about the final specifically or the tournament, but Messi was definitely Argentina's best player of the tournament, and it wasn't really close. Nevermind that many of his goals were penalties, he was involved in pretty much every goal they scored. Di Maria was injured for most of the cup and didnt' even play half of the total minutes. Martinez was good, sure. Do any WC winning teams in history have only one player performing well?
I'd say out of the 6 MotM awards Messi got in his 7 world cup games, the only one where he wasn't the best player on the pitch was maybe the final, and even there he should've had a couple of extra assists for Lautaro.
jones was too young/didn't watch football during USA '94 but it seemed like a great tournament.
France '98 was my first and will be number one to me due to the nostalgia and Ronnie-gate drama. And Dennis' goal of course.
This was right up there though, considering the circumstances/politics around it, it was an incredible World Cup.
Mirth Fucking hell, that's embarrassing. 