World football thread.

[harrybarracuda]

So a PSG/Athletico v Barca/Munich final, then.

Bayern look hard to beat.

Lewandowski is in epic form.

I'd be surprised if there isn't a massive bid from Spain for him tbh, he looks frighteningly the complete forward.

[harrybarracuda]

"Halfback"? How many rushing yards has he had this season?

Halfback David Silva, who will end his contract with Manchester City on August 24, is close to becoming a Lazio player.
the 34-year-old Spaniard has agreed a contract with the Rome club until 2023 with a salary of 3 million euros per season plus bonuses, according to journalist Nicolo Skira.
Lazio will announce the transfer of Silva in the coming days.

[cyrille]

So you're posting that up on the basis of it being utterly clueless and written by an idiot?

Don't we have enough posters delivering that sort of stuff on a daily basis?

[harrybarracuda]

So you're posting that up on the basis of it being utterly clueless and written by an idiot?

Don't we have enough posters delivering that sort of stuff on a daily basis?

Oh FFS sybille is it rag week or something?

[harrybarracuda]

I did a double take there.

Blaise Matuidi has signed for Inter Miami......

Matuidi first, James next? Beckham's big statement signing shows Inter Miami is new MLS superclub | Goal.com

[harrybarracuda]

And you thought your 2020 was crazy....

Ronaldinho released after five months of detention in Paraguay over forged passport

Ronaldinho's brother Roberto de Assis Moreira, who likewise had been held for a month in jail and another four months under house arrest in a hotel in Paraguay's capital, was also released.


Judge Gustavo Amarilla also released Ronaldinho's brother Roberto de Assis Moreira, who likewise had been held for a month in jail and another four months under house arrest in a hotel in Paraguay's capital, Asuncion, for the same charge.
The 40-year-old former World Cup winner "is free to travel to whatever country in the world he wants but he must inform us if he changes his permanent residence" for a period of one year, the judge said.
"He has no restrictions except for the fulfilment of reparations for damage to society."
Dressed in jeans, a black beret and black shirt, Ronaldinho accepted the terms of his release, which include payment of $90,000 in damages. His brother, who is also Ronaldinho's business manager, must pay $110,000.
The judge stressed that he was not issuing a "definitive dismissal" of the case but rather that Ronaldinho was benefitting from a "conditional suspension of the procedure."
His brother, on the other hand, was given a two-year suspended sentence.
Prosecutors said they did not believe Ronaldinho took part in the plan to manufacture the fake Paraguayan passports but believed de Assis Moreira was aware that the passports were false.
"They flagrantly used a public document containing false content," said Marcelo Pecci, one of the public prosecutors, who said it was a "very serious" offense.
De Assis Moreira must appear before a judge in Brazil every four months for two years and will have a criminal record.
"Ronaldinho's situation is not the same as Roberto's. He has no obligation to appear before any Brazilian judicial authority. He must only report a change of address," said Amarilla, who accepted a recommendation by four prosecutors to avoid the need for an oral trial.
Before Monday's trial the public prosecutor said that Ronaldinho displayed no "personal characteristics or criminal behavior that ... would put society at risk."
'Deceived vilely'
The brothers arrived in Paraguay on 4 March with Ronaldinho, the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner, due to take part in an event in support of disadvantaged children.
However, two days later, the pair were taken into police custody when investigators raided their hotel following the discovery they had fake documents.
Before the judge announced his decision, the defense issued a statement insisting on the innocence of both brothers.
"They presented Paraguayan documents to migration authorities believing they were authentic," said the statement. "The people they trusted deceived them vilely."
After being held in a police station in Asuncion, where Ronaldinho celebrated his 40th birthday on March 21, the two men had been under house arrest for more than four months in a luxury hotel in the capital, on bail of $1.6 million.
The investigation has since expanded into a case of possible money laundering and criminal association.
Some 18 people have already been arrested in connection with the case, most of them immigration officials or police officers.
"The investigation found no indication that either participated in money laundering or criminal association," said the defense statement.
Ronaldinho, considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, was crucial in Brazil's 2002 World Cup win.
He played for European giants such as Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain during a hugely successful 10-year stint in Europe.
He won the Champions League and two La Liga titles with Barcelona and Serie A with Milan.
After returning home to Brazil he won the Copa Libertadores -- South America's equivalent of the Champions League -- with Atletico Mineiro.

Ronaldinho released after five months of detention in Paraguay over forged passport - Sports News , Firstpost

[Edmond]

To be fair, detention in Paraguay probably isn't too bad when you're a multi-millionaire soccer god that likes to party.

[harrybarracuda]

Yes, but anyone else travelling on a fake fucking passport... FFS.

[harrybarracuda]

The jungle drums beat loudly that Messi has told Barca he is leaving....

[panama hat]

^ Yup, Barca says that particular clause - leaving on a free - has expired in his contract . . . he says the original dates don't count because of covid. Fuck 'im. Contract is contract.

[Edmond]

He's a little hissyfitting primadonna twat.

[cyrille]

Handbags at the PSG / Marseille game last night.

[harrybarracuda]

Fucking hilarious. The Qatari should be demanding his money back.

[harrybarracuda]

PSG seem to have the hots for red cards at the moment.

[cyrille]

Suarez / Costa / Simeone

How good would it be if they won La Liga?

And how dumb is that Barca President?

[hallelujah]

Funny little episode with Suarez and the Italian language test ahead of his original planned move to Juve.

Italian police investigate claims Luis Suarez's citizenship exam was rigged | Football | The Guardian

[harrybarracuda]

I honestly thought this was a piss take when I first heard it.

Is the land worth a few quid or something?

Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in talks to invest in Welsh soccer team

[Edmond]

Didn't know that Thiago's dad was a World Cup winner in 1994.



Well, I do now.

[Edmond]

The mighty Dundalk get through the 3rd round of Quals to get to the playoffs against the magnificently named Ki of the Faroe Islands, for a place in the Europa group stages.

Their sisters across the road, Shamrock Rovers were previously put to the sword by AC Milan with Zlatan scoring.

[Edmond]

Shamrock Rovers were previously put to the sword by AC Milan with Zlatan scoring.

It kinda hits home about the effect of Covid.


That lifelong fans, that live across the road from the stadium, cannot go and take their kids to see such players as Rory Gaffney, when a team like Shamrock Rovers come to town.

[Chittychangchang]

Ings scissor goal against Wales was sublime

3-0 to the 3 lions.

[Edmond]

England will face Republic of Ireland at Wembley on November 12 after New Zealand withdrew from the original scheduled fixture.

Shit.

[harrybarracuda]

Oh dear looks like Giggsy's been at it again and slapped the missus around as well.

Who does he think he is, Johnny fucking Depp?

Ryan Giggs will stand down as Wales' manager for next three matches | Daily Mail Online

[Chittychangchang]

[Edmond]

England are winless in seven matches against the Republic of Ireland (D5 L2)


Well, fair to say that that's gonna be changed tonight.


Possibly by a rugby scoreline.