FIFA World Cup 2022

[Durhamfootman]

Shearer is backing Southgate.... clearly he doesn't want Howe leaving Newcastle either

or worse..... Southgate going to Newcastle

[Gingerfinch]

Shearer is backing Southgate.... clearly he doesn't want Howe leaving Newcastle either

or worse..... Southgate going to Newcastle

Or even worse, Shearer is making a comeback into management!!!

[Durhamfootman]

Shearer is backing Southgate.... clearly he doesn't want Howe leaving Newcastle either

or worse..... Southgate going to Newcastle

Or even worse, Shearer is making a comeback into management!!!

Eek!

[bigfluffylemon]

I said it earlier in the thread, but it almost looks like Fate is on Messi's side this tournament. If I believed in fate that is. Sport rarely scripts the fairytale...

[mikesiva]

Alvarez and Messi!

Argentina 3-0 Croatia

[Gingerfinch]

Croatia are technically great but have no flair and don't take risks. I say risks but I mean shooting. Something they only done after going 2 down.

[sussexpob]

Messi has been excellent this tournament. Bit embarrassing for world football, as he's nearly 36

[bigfluffylemon]

Messi has been excellent this tournament. Bit embarrassing for world football, as he's nearly 36

And Anderson is nearly 41, and still up there with the best in the world. Federer and Nadal have both won slams at 36, and Serena and Djokovic at 35. It no longer seems to be true that the best of elite sportspeople are on the way down as soon as they hit 30-32.

I don't know if it's advances in sports science, or something about the inherent drive that makes them the best in the world that helps them maintain long careers, luck, or a bit of all three, and I'm sure for every great player who has lasted to 35 and beyond there are plenty that went downhill fast from their late 20s, or picked up injuries and never recovered. But at least some great sportspeople are playing well into their 30s these days, and it doesn't necessarily reflect badly on anyone else. It just means they're still bloody good!

[Gingerfinch]

Messi's never relied on pace or/and power either. He for some time has dropped deep to start a move, which makes his assist and goal scoring record even more amazing.

[sussexpob]

I don't know if it's advances in sports science, or something about the inherent drive that makes them the best in the world that helps them maintain long careers, luck, or a bit of all three, and I'm sure for every great player who has lasted to 35 and beyond there are plenty that went downhill fast from their late 20s, or picked up injuries and never recovered. But at least some great sportspeople are playing well into their 30s these days, and it doesn't necessarily reflect badly on anyone else. It just means they're still bloody good!

I mean, the cynic in me would suggest that tennis is one major sport that has not taken drug policy seriously at all, and is the one sport OAPs continue to dominate. Quite a lot of these athletes also explain away their longevity on witch doctor style miracle cures, which doesnt pass the bullsh*t test.

Take someone like Tom Brady. Still playing (I think he is 46?) in one of the most physically brutal sports there is. He credits his personal trainer Alex Guerrero- a medically disbarred proven fraudster with a fake degree in Chinese medicine. Brady conveniently retired last off season when his mandatory drug testing off season should have taken place, only to u-turn. Many players who share his personal trainer have been banned for PED use....

You telling me he's playing because he's following a scientifically debunked fitness plan, despite being under-size and legendarily unathletic for a player in his position, or is it the roids? His arm strength has got better in his 40s!

Its known Messi had a growth deficiency for which he received hormone treatment as a kid... seen some suggestions that state that its akin to doping, even if for him it was a medical necessity. So you do wonder if he benefitted from his condition in a sporting context.

[bigfluffylemon]

Yeah, well, that is another possible explanation for it. I hope it isn't the case.

[Durhamfootman]

or is it the roids? His arm strength has got better in his 40s!

haemorrhoids?

[sussexpob]

or is it the roids? His arm strength has got better in his 40s!

haemorrhoids?

Steroids..

[Durhamfootman]

I know

I was just being silly

[mikesiva]

France 2-0 Morocco

Hernandez and Moani.

Mbappe with two assists. Griezemann played well.