The thing that I love about artists who make it big is they always find the time to make a song to flex on everyone that ever threw shade in their direction. Drake falls just shy of Toronto’s other favorite son The Weeknd for title of most vindictive artist of the past decade. I honestly sometimes wonder where all the spite of people in this world comes from. Like we all got it rough, objectively, just by being humans. Sure, in different ways, but like do I have to go back to 2006 and encourage everyone to watch High School Musical and pay close attention to the song “We’re all in this Together”?! It seems like the older we all get the more passive aggressive we are forced to become as a result of the forced political correctness that has been imposed on us. As far as going back in time goes though we should stop at 2006 because although I can understand passive aggressive comments, do we really have to revert back to kindergarten behavior and make faces at one another? I’ve lost count of the amount of bizarre faces people age 50 and over have made at me to express their disdain at my life choices. I guess I just have a very punchable face like one of my previous favorite players Raheem “The Former Dream” Sterling that evokes rage. I swear I walk into a room and people just size me up and sta…Ok I need to shut up and get back to soccer. This is not a session with a psychologist (though I could definitely use one)…
But hey speaking of being upset, this seems to be the theme of the tournament! Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina 2-1 in Group C? Germany failing to advance beyond the group stages? Morocco with a quarter final berth after defeating Spain? This has been a tournament on par with Game of Thrones because God only knows what main character will be killed off next leaving the unexpected to carry the plot. I for one am very pleased by these underdogs staking their claim as valuable members of the pack. Although every dog may have its day it is not the time for the underdogs to win it all (not yet though they are chomping at the bit). Everyone and their mother need to be praying that the titans of this past golden generation (Messi and Ronaldo) get to do a simultaneous swan song (Black Swan Ballet edition led by Edinson Cavani). Argentina vs Portugal is an absolute must for the World Cup Final as in some people’s minds it could settle the debate that has been raging on for the past decade. Messi or Ronaldo. Who is the best? But more on this later…
Damn Son Where’d ya find this?!
For your viewing pleasure I have included the link of every angle below for this gem of a goal (now if only they had drone shots). As predictable as ever – the Brazilians conjure up magic in places that others would be completely lost and shank the ball out of bounds. Richarlison is staking his claim as “the man” on the Brazilian national team, and with goals like this (see above and below) reminding us all of other goals that are seemingly only scored in the World Cup (James Rodriguez 2014 Goal for Colombia against Uruguay) this Brazilian magician may have earned himself a bumper new contract at one the heavyweights (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich..etc). Well done Richarlison let’s clap it up for the Brazilian Samba King of the moment. And in case anyone missed it – here is a link for your viewing pleasure!
Better Than Neymar?
This man Mohamad Kudus knows how to grab popular media’s ear – he must be taking notes from none other than the brash, bold, and belligerent Kanye West. Ok so after I caught wind of this outrageous claim I decided to do my own research (something many people do not have the patience to do any longer). This kid is actually quite good – though not as flashy with the ball as the Brazilian Neymar and not nearly as prolific in front of goal. But going on the record and saying things like “Neymar is not better than me, just more high profile” is an incredibly hot take. I decided to not only check out his highlights from Ghana at this World Cup, but also what this kid has managed to do for his club Ajax! Although impactful, he falls far short of Brazilian Prince Caliber that is Neymar who at his age was banging in goals at frighteningly impressive rate for both club and country. But – STOP THE BROADCAST – this claim was a lie! It turns out that this was just fake news after all as Mohamad Kudus either got cold feet about living up to the bold claim or “The Guardian” was actually full of shit. Apparently he was raised better than to say things like this (if only we all were).
Messi Scoring Penalty Kicks?
Thankfully Messi and Argentina have done their bit to take the next step in making the dream World Cup Final come true. This World Cup has been wildly entertaining, even if I have not been able to catch every match, the ones that are always the most fun to watch take place in bars with strangers that become fast friends. This is actually exactly how I ended up getting turkey on Thanksgiving as I was a family-less man befriending a fellow bar goer over drinks. Ordering a caipirinha in honor of watching Brazil, watching that incredible goal by Richarlison, days like this numb the pain that comes with the lives that we all lead. Although Brazil is out on penalties at the hand of the Croats – it makes me sad that the team I grew up cheering for and first got me into soccer (and inspired the name of this very blog) has been dismissed but it will actually make it easier for Argentina to advance to the finals (sacrifices must be made, just not sacrificial goats). It feels like every match in the knockout stages has gone to penalty kicks. But such is the drama that comes with the stage of the tournament we are in.
BAHHH Goes the Angry GOAT
Ronny wow…this is a decline in respect for a player of epic proportions. It’s as if the whole soccer world has collectively turned on the great in an effort to push him out the door of relevance. The latest assault on the man with the greatest ego to grace a football pitch was his substitution against South Korea. Although the group was already decided and the resulting loss negligible to Portugal’s progress, if there is a chance to play ball Ronaldo expects to be on the pitch. And why shouldn’t he? But after what is claimed to have been a petulant display at being substituted off the pitch in the 65th minute against the Koreans – our boy Ronny was relegated to the bench for the round of 16 match against Switzerland and new wonder boy Gonçalo Ramos took hold of the center forward position and made it his own with a dominant performance that resulted in a glorious hattrick. So what next for Ronaldo as Portugal gears up to face Morocco in the Quarter Finals? Will he find himself back in the starting eleven or is he poised to strike a brooding figure on the bench with his best bet at glory being an impact substitute? Only time will tell. I am very happy for Morocco – but the Arabian Nights fairy tale must end at the hand of the Portugese. Força Portugal!
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