Signs for Al Nassr until 2025. 177 million pounds per year, the biggest football salary in history.
Sad way to end a fantastic career, playing in the arse end of nowhere just for money when he is already worth £500m for Christ’s sake! Definitely tarnishes his legacy imo. I can’t see Messi doing the same.
You're right Messi would never be so cynical...
(Tries to get away with millions of euros of unpaid taxes)
And potentially bankrupts Barcelona with his wage demands (that they were daft enough to agree).
A complete myth. Messi earned the club far more in sponsorship deals and merchandise sales each year than he took home in wages.
The club was completely mismanaged and paid stupid wages to so many players. They were paying players like Umtiti, Coutinho, Pjanic and Lenglet well over 150k a week. Pique/Alba/Busquets all past their best, all earning 250k+ a week. Griezmann was on about 350k a week.
They spent over 250m signing Griezmann and Coutinho who aren't even there any more.
Cute thought put out by Messi.
It's the same 'shirt sales' argument that is nonsense whenever a big money move happens.
Signs for Al Nassr until 2025. 177 million pounds per year, the biggest football salary in history.
Sad way to end a fantastic career, playing in the arse end of nowhere just for money when he is already worth £500m for Christ’s sake! Definitely tarnishes his legacy imo. I can’t see Messi doing the same.
You're right Messi would never be so cynical...
(Tries to get away with millions of euros of unpaid taxes)
And potentially bankrupts Barcelona with his wage demands (that they were daft enough to agree).
A complete myth. Messi earned the club far more in sponsorship deals and merchandise sales each year than he took home in wages.
The club was completely mismanaged and paid stupid wages to so many players. They were paying players like Umtiti, Coutinho, Pjanic and Lenglet well over 150k a week. Pique/Alba/Busquets all past their best, all earning 250k+ a week. Griezmann was on about 350k a week.
They spent over 250m signing Griezmann and Coutinho who aren't even there any more.
Wasn't aware of that, fair enough, thought it fell a bit the other way.
Although he still didn't need quite the ridiculous wages he was on did he? Over €100m a year or whatever it was. Yes, he's Messi, but I'm sure he could have struggled by on €1m a week (before his own sponsorship etc) which would have allowed Barca to prosper more and also to keep him longer.
I agree they wasted a ton of money post the sale of Neymar though.
I still think Ronaldo is the better all round player.
Agree with this, based on god given natural talent id say Messi but even the its like Messi is 100% and CR is 99%. Then when you start adding the physical elements of their games CR7 overtakes him.
He's just started a YouTube - first video posted yesterday, has 25 million subscribers
28m now. I'd be interested to know why only now he's decided to start a channel.
I assume it's something to do with Saudi tourism, as whilst there are a few videos on him and his family, there is one that is clearly an ad promoting Saudi and the Red Sea project.
I can't see it unless he significantly drops levels and carries on playing over the next 5 -6 years, he has scored 900 goals over 22 years as a professional footballer. That averages out 40 goals a season, if he maintained that rate he would do it in 2 and a half years so around 42. 900 is incredible achievement though.
I can't see it unless he significantly drops levels and carries on playing over the next 5 -6 years, he has scored 900 goals over 22 years as a professional footballer. That averages out 40 goals a season, if he maintained that rate he would do it in 2 and a half years so around 42. 900 is incredible achievement though.
Scored 50-goals for Al-Nassr in 2023-24 across all AFC competitions, so wont surprise me either.
Quite enjoyed that, decent football fix on a non-Euros night.
Ronaldo obviously has a huge ego, but I've always quite liked him, he's worked so hard to make himself one of the best in the world.
Roy Keane summed it up pretty well.
Messi is just a naturally gifted freak, but Ronaldo has got to where he has through sheer hard work and dedication. Obviously he had the talent but all the extra training, hours in the gym, never touching alcohol, always eating the right foods. Anything that can give him an edge and help prolong his career.
That's spot on. There was a time when Rooney was the better player, but the contrast in how they improved and played in their 30s is light and day.
Ronaldo's international record of 131 goals in 213 games is two all time great careers combined. Although he didn't signal handedly win a world cup like Maradona did in '86 or Garrincha in '62, he's surely the best ever.
Quite enjoyed that, decent football fix on a non-Euros night.
Ronaldo obviously has a huge ego, but I've always quite liked him, he's worked so hard to make himself one of the best in the world.
Roy Keane summed it up pretty well.
Messi is just a naturally gifted freak, but Ronaldo has got to where he has through sheer hard work and dedication. Obviously he had the talent but all the extra training, hours in the gym, never touching alcohol, always eating the right foods. Anything that can give him an edge and help prolong his career.
That's spot on. There was a time when Rooney was the better player, but the contrast in how they improved and played in their 30s is light and day.
Ronaldo's international record of 131 goals in 213 games is two all time great careers combined. Although he didn't signal handedly win a world cup like Maradona did in '86 or Garrincha in '62, he's surely the best ever.
He's way too dislikeable to be the best ever. Sayeth I (and a lot of others).
Also, is Jimmy Anderson the best cricketer ever? Or just a really really good one who sustained a high level for longer than anyone else?
Quite enjoyed that, decent football fix on a non-Euros night.
Ronaldo obviously has a huge ego, but I've always quite liked him, he's worked so hard to make himself one of the best in the world.
Roy Keane summed it up pretty well.
Messi is just a naturally gifted freak, but Ronaldo has got to where he has through sheer hard work and dedication. Obviously he had the talent but all the extra training, hours in the gym, never touching alcohol, always eating the right foods. Anything that can give him an edge and help prolong his career.
That's spot on. There was a time when Rooney was the better player, but the contrast in how they improved and played in their 30s is light and day.
Ronaldo's international record of 131 goals in 213 games is two all time great careers combined. Although he didn't signal handedly win a world cup like Maradona did in '86 or Garrincha in '62, he's surely the best ever.
Mostly true i also think you have to point out though, Ronaldo in terms of natural talent is still a generational player. If you score Messi 100% for natural ability, CR7 is still like 99% or 98%. however i do say CR7 is the best ever in my opinion purely because of his physical assets make up for that 1 or 2 % difference in natural talent
I can't see it unless he significantly drops levels and carries on playing over the next 5 -6 years, he has scored 900 goals over 22 years as a professional footballer. That averages out 40 goals a season, if he maintained that rate he would do it in 2 and a half years so around 42. 900 is incredible achievement though.
Scored 50-goals for Al-Nassr in 2023-24 across all AFC competitions, so wont surprise me either.
Perhaps then pal, tbh i couldnt make a guarantee either way as dont know the standard he will be playing at as i dont routinely watch asian football.
He's an absolute beast, and unless he has a career ending injury will play for another 4 or 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he makes the Euro 2028 squad, even if he's not starting games. 1000 career goals will be had, he's now 62 goals ahead of Messi and you can be certain he'll want to extend that as much as possible
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It's the same 'shirt sales' argument that is nonsense whenever a big money move happens.
Although he still didn't need quite the ridiculous wages he was on did he? Over €100m a year or whatever it was. Yes, he's Messi, but I'm sure he could have struggled by on €1m a week (before his own sponsorship etc) which would have allowed Barca to prosper more and also to keep him longer.
I agree they wasted a ton of money post the sale of Neymar though.
Also scored twice to extend the goals record to 120. Quite remarkable when we're talking about Kane breaking the England record with 54.
Kane: 0.67 gpg
Ignore this. I misread @Chris_from_Sidcup's comment to be about Messi not Ronaldo.
Though Ronaldo started as a winger etc.
To put that into perspective, only 15 players in history have more than 73 international goals at any age.
His overall total of 125 is more than the current England and France all-time top scorers combined.
For comparison Kane has scored 20 penalties for England thus far.
Two of the greatest strikers of the modern era, Zlatan and (Brazilian) Ronaldo, got 124 combined.
Mainoo wasn't even born when Ronaldo was playing in the final in 2004.
He will be a loss to the game when he finally hangs up his boots
Has anyone on CL ever been to Thornton Heath.
I assume it's something to do with Saudi tourism, as whilst there are a few videos on him and his family, there is one that is clearly an ad promoting Saudi and the Red Sea project.
Will he play on until he gets 1,000?
Ronaldo's international record of 131 goals in 213 games is two all time great careers combined. Although he didn't signal handedly win a world cup like Maradona did in '86 or Garrincha in '62, he's surely the best ever.
Also, is Jimmy Anderson the best cricketer ever? Or just a really really good one who sustained a high level for longer than anyone else?