Neil

I'm enjoying it. Warming to Rio a bit. He's been surprisingly good. Thought he'd be shite but been better than most. At the very least he takes the time to actually research the players he's supposed to be commenting on which puts him above the Soccer Saturday numpties for a start.

I don't think the fact he ambled about was indicative of a lack of hunger. He regularly ambles about, it's part of his style and presumably is a deliberate tactic to conserve energy. What I found more concerning was for one of the first times ever, he didn't have that air of invincibility about him. He was still able to beat players - of course he was, he's fucking class - but there was something about him which made you think he wasn't going to win the game for Argentina, or he wasn't going to put away that chance. Harsh criticism you may think but the context with which we're talking about him is about whether he's the greatest ever. He was a disappointment at this tournament IMO. Mitigating factors, yes, but he didn't excel at all.

Khedira and Sanchez to Arsenal represents, for once, some serious business from them. Buying actual top quality players who can make a real difference.

Or, if Messi had decided to look more bothered or put away his chance which, while not a sitter, is the sort of chance he's regularly put away year after year, he'd be a world champion? Devil's advocate, I know, but I'm not sure I can get on board with the "clearly the best ever" school of thought. There's an argument for it but I don't think it can be said with such a degree of certainty. And as I say, I'm as big a fan of him as anyone else. I hope there's more to come from him, new heights, I really do, but for the first time I wonder if a) his body is feeling the effects of so much football in the past 7-8 years or b) we've already seen the best of him?

I think Busquets is without doubt a more complete footballer. But in terms of this Argie set-up, Mascherano suits it very well. It's not an ideal system at all IMO and ultimately it got found out (if an attacking player doesn't do something brilliant you're screwed) but it definitely highlighted his strengths. A purely defensive midfielder with the sole intention of stopping the other team play. As the pressure cranked up, due to Argentina playing deep, it meant Mascherano had to slide in more and that gave him the perception of a heroic, last-ditch tackler. Interested to see what happens with him at Barca this season. Hasn't Enrique said he wants to put Mascherano in midfield?

Paid out at 6/1 - 2 way tie for each of them. Can't complain.

I think Argentina's style of play this tournament has highlighted Mascherano's strengths - quintessential defensive midfielder strengths. They've tried to soak up some pressure which calls for at least one if not two "destroyer" types in front of the back 4. He's excelled in that role. The weakness that comes from that is you're going to lack midfield drive going forward if you're going to play him and, say, Biglia. And as much as Argentina excelled defensively, it was also the reason IMO they struggled to impress - they had no-one driving forward from central midfield. Just meant they gave it to Messi/Di Maria and hope they ran with it and created something.

Weird comparison. Higuain looked ungainly at best, mind.

Even if I know it won't be as good, it's got me looking forward to the new season like. Not particularly for Everton but just football. FOOTBALL.

I don't think he's being lazy either. Part of his 'style' is the fact he clearly conserves energy and deliberately walks around the pitch half the time. I dunno. Something's missing. I'm not sure whether it's all physical either. I wonder if he's lost some of his spark, some of his real hunger. Hope I'm proved completely wrong and he's back to his best for Barca this year. But, and I know he's set himself utterly ludicrous standards, I'm thinking for the first time that maybe, just maybe, we've already seen the best of Lionel Messi?

If we're talking semantics I'd argue that while it's near impossible to replicate something a la Napoli, with the WC it actually is viable. Since international football isn't (or at least not as directly) impacted by vast differences in resources - i.e. money - I think the notion of a player carrying a country to glory is a realistic one. Whether it's more romantic than anything and Messi should be criticised for not being able to do is a different matter, as is whether it's all actually that important.

Also, is it just me or does Messi just look plain knackered? Not one for hyperbole but when fit, he plays virtually every minute of every single game. Year after year. Especially under Guardiola, it felt like he never, ever got subbed. Add in international commitments too and you've got to wonder whether he's simply worn out and whether it's all catching up with his body a bit? Whatever it is, he's not the same Messi of 2008-2013. Something's changed, just hope it's not permanent.

Yep, which is why I'm particularly gutted this one is over. Compared to the footballing powerhouses of the next 2 scheduled tournaments, it's a world away.

None of the defence were. Argentina's problem was they had little to nothing in an attacking sense coming from central midfield. It was all about shielding the backline and giving it to Messi, maybe Di Maria, and seeing if they could do something. The point is due to a lack of fluidity, the team was built around individual, reactive moments rather than dominating and creating a succession of chances. This lent itself to Messi being ideally positioned to drag his team to glory. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it.

On the plus side, got 2 Copa Americas in the next 2 years and the Euros in France IMO should be very decent. Planning to get myself over to Florida in 2016 for the Copa then. Failing that, France. Nowt like the World Cup though. Bra-zeeeeel.

As mentioned in the other thread, for all of Ashley's terrible actions, you remain a clearly attractive club for seemingly quality players.

He's one of the greatest either way. Unfortunately how he will be remembered from this World Cup is not the great player who elevated his average side to glory. He'll be remembered as the great player who got pulled down to the level of those around him.

Gutted it's all over. What are we supposed to do now? In all seriousness, what a great World Cup. Despite the massive issue with Brazilian society - which will remain - it appeared like it was run fairly smoothly. Great players shone, great players developed, great players were born. Also a nice mix of attacking football and nail-biting tension. One of the biggest themes of this tournament IMO was how close the games were. So-called underdogs mixed it with the big boys quite regularly and I think it shows at least in international football, the playing field is actually relatively even. What was also noticeable was the style of play of countries with supposedly very few resources and once again puts the likes of England to shame. The best team won it, no doubt there. And on a pretty sad/soppy note, I fear it'll be a while before we have a World Cup as good as that again, given the locations of the next 2. But as far as 2014 goes, it was a job well done. Cheers Brazil.

Absolutely fucking class.

And that's that.

Ah well. Back to watching Steven Naismith miscontrol it out of play for a throw-in.

What a terrible decision.

I see what you di..... no, wait, it's literally "die Blatter you cunt".

Wahey, fuck off Blatter.

Bringing loads of fit lasses on. fucking love Germany.