# Omnibus World Football Thread 2020-2022 (edited) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [August 16, 2020, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264 "2020-08-16T15:38:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 45
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/882 "2023-05-09T08:35:52Z")
Found it on YouTube (though of the 2 videos I saw, one had no commentary, and on the other, the commentary was literally worse than useless) - that was funny, albeit not as funny as PSG losing in such a pathetic manner. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/883 "2023-05-09T12:59:33Z")
I love the players running over to argue with the referee. What the hell can they be arguing? Other than they don’t know the rules. This morning I saw three separate reports on Lionel Messi. One said that he was on the verge of signing in Saudi Arabia, one said Barcelona had freed up enough money to make a deal with him, and the third said that PSG was coming around to making a deal with him. I mean, all of those can be true, but it’s certainly good to be wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/884 "2023-05-09T14:12:51Z")
I’ve adopted a policy of not clicking in any article about Messi’s future club, when I see it reported in some major newspaper I’ll believe it and not before. That said I hope he doesn’t go to some pasture for former players like Saudi Arabia, China or the MLS. He has certainly won the right to go wherever he chooses and do whatever he pleases (if you ask around here that includes a few selected, tasteful murders too 😛 ) but I hope he remains in a competitive league. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/885 "2023-05-10T20:51:57Z")
Seems unlikely that he would blow off a practice to head to Saudi if he wasn’t pretty serious about it. Which, IMO, is the most disappointing possible option. MLS is a better league (and I’d get to see him play), but obviously is a step down. As a Barcelona fan I don’t necessarily want him. I want them to be able to send him off properly, but think it might be detrimental to the longer term competitiveness of the club. Maybe if he accepts basically nothing as a salary. He’s too old to build around and he’s immobile enough at this point in his career that you need to game plan around him (although Gavi, and FDJ have the range/energy to do that I think). What CL teams seem like a good fit? Would have to be similar to when Juve signed Ronaldo; a team that thinks they need just a little bump. Back to Argentina is a pretty respectable option, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/886 "2023-05-10T23:45:02Z")
According to his close friend Sergio Aguero, Messi’s heading back to his roots. I’d like to see that. Also mentions other options, including his agent/dad looking at a Barca return. Always had a dim view of the the dad after his ridiculous salary expectation if Messi was to go to Saudi Arbaia. (forgot what the idiotically proposed sum was.) Article from Feb. > **[Lionel Messi Set To Return To Newell’s Old Boys In Argentina And Snub PSG, FC...](https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2023/02/26/lionel-messi-set-to-return-to-newells-old-boys-in-argentina-and-snub-psg-fc-barcelona-inter-miami/?sh=498953b46e42)** > > Lionel Messi is set to return to his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys and snub Paris Saint Germain, FC Barcelona, plus Inter Miami in the MLS according to his close friend Sergio Aguero. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/887 "2023-05-10T23:58:28Z")
Him returning would be too good to be true. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/888 "2023-05-16T20:46:03Z")
News only important to USA fans, but Folarin Balogun just filed a switch to the USA from England. Forward that’s scored 19 goals in 34 games this year in Ligue 1, which is respectable. Since that was a gaping massive hole in the US lineup, really since Brian McBride retired, this is great for their program. Might bump my expectation for them up a bit for the 2026 WC (from knockout to quarters, maybe). ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/889 "2023-05-17T19:51:24Z")
City 2-RM 0 in the first half, of course it would be 4-0 if only that dummy Pep realized that he has WORLD CHAMPION Julian Alvarez in the bench… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/890 "2023-05-17T20:19:28Z")
Oof…RM just doesn’t have it so far. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/891 "2023-05-17T20:31:13Z")
See!?, Julian would’ve scored that one. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/892 "2023-05-17T20:46:03Z")
Am I missing something? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/893 "2023-05-17T20:48:12Z")
(there was a very good chance for City and Haaland couldn’t score, 45 million argentines screamed “Pep! tobogan de piojos! aerodromo de mosquitos! cabeza de rodilla! lo hubieras puesto a Julian Alvarez y la metia!”) ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/894 "2023-05-17T20:48:50Z")
And Julian Alvarez scores!, see? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/895 "2023-05-17T20:54:51Z")
Very nice. Going to look for the goal on You Tube. And nice insults the Argentinians come up with 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/896 "2023-05-17T20:56:54Z")
Those are the PG13 ones of course. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/897 "2023-05-27T15:31:46Z")
Well, Dortmund shit the bed on the last day of the season and Bayern wins the Bundesliga for the 11th straight year. Son of a bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/898 "2023-05-27T16:38:24Z")
Yeah, that was an intense last 15 minutes. Phew! ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2023, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/899 "2023-05-27T16:42:35Z")
Worst thing that could happen to German football: becoming boring. And: I really do not like Bayern. (Nor AC Milan, nor the Italian national squad, nor the German one, and particularly I don’t like real Madrid. Not that it matters or that anyone cares, but that is the way it is). ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/900 "2023-05-27T17:00:45Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Worst thing that could happen to German football: becoming boring. It already has with Bayern winning the Bundesliga the 11th time in a row. Though this last match day was one of the most thrilling I remember. I listened to the radio conference on WDR2 and almost bit my nails. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264/901 "2023-05-27T17:19:49Z")
A lot of the top league suffer (IMO) from being top heavy. However, I think the Bundesliga is especially bad. Since 2000, the winningest teams in the top 5 leagues are: Bundeslinga: Bayern Munich - 18 titles La Liga: Barcelona - 11 titles Serie A : Juventus - 11 titles EPL: Manchester United - 8 titles Ligue 1: PSG - 8 titles And the trend seems to be more consolidation at the top. La Liga and the Bundesliga had some oddball teams win the league towards the beginning of the 2000s and it’s completely inconceivable that they’d compete now. This was Bayern’s worst season by far of the last decade and they still won. I guess it’s more exciting than them winning the league by 20 points, but damn. So, question for the crowd: Is this actually a problem? Like is this just American sensibility and being used to (relative) parity in sports? And if so, should something be done about it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-world-football-thread-2020-2022-edited/918264.md?page=46)