World Cup: Group J: Argentina vs. Algeria, 6/16/2026

[cgf]

Only dismissal i've heard is that it's insanely hard to win b2b World Cups just going by history, but otherwise i've only seen referred to as being top-4 in every ranking to win it all.

One of the Argentina fans went off about the squad selection before the tourney.

 

[les Habs]

Playing at a higher work rate against more difficult opposition on a more competitive team that is under more pressure definitely increases the risk of injury and at his age therefore also increases the risk of long-term injury given his recent health issues.

Are you saying playing in the MLS is the same as playing for Barcelona? I can't believe I'm having to type this out.

None of which says he couldn’t do it.

Never said that.

 

[les Habs]

Clearly he either disagrees with you or he just doesn't want to play for Barcelona anymore.

Your replies are ridiculous. Again, it’s about if he can do it or not. Just because he isn’t doing it doesn’t mean he can’t. And I never said he wanted to play for Barca. Amazing how much you’ve made up in a page and a half.

 

[NyQuil]

Your replies are ridiculous. Again, it’s about if he can do it or not. Just because he isn’t doing it doesn’t mean he can’t. And I never said he wanted to play for Barca. Amazing how much you’ve made up in a page and a half.

You tell me why he doesn't want to do it, please.

Clearly he wanted a different kind of work-life balance and a less intense football experience which is what was said all along.

 

[les Habs]

You tell me why he doesn't want to do it, please.

Again, irrelevant to the point. Not sure why you keep bringing up irrelevant points.

I don’t know that he doesn’t want to it, assuming you mean playing in a top 5 league. I suspect if he doesn’t it’s because he is focused on NT duty and a change in lifestyle. However, I also think it’s more nuanced and that had the situation been different and more to his liking he might be at Barca. I don’t think it’ll ever happen now, but I don’t think it’s something he wouldn’t have been interested in under the right circumstances.

Again though, my point is that he’s still good enough. You seem to disagree.

 

[NyQuil]

Again though, my point is that he’s still good enough. You seem to disagree.

Not at all.

If they watch his health and let him miss all kinds of time to rest and sub in frequently instead of starting, sure he can.

It's not so easy to do that for CL clubs with all the pressure to win.

I don't think he wants to end his career with some serious injury because he was trying to do too much in one of the most competitive leagues on the planet.

 

[les Habs]

Not at all.

If they watch his health and let him miss all kinds of time to rest and sub in frequently instead of starting, sure he can.

It's not so easy to do that for CL clubs with all the pressure to win.

I don't think he wants to end his career with some serious injury because he was trying to do too much in one of the most competitive leagues on the planet.

I don’t think that’s necessary apart from what might be his prerogative to play less to save himself for Argentina. Again, I think he could start a fairly significant amount of matches in the right situation.

I don’t either, but again, point was that he could do it.

 

[SirKillalot]

There's a reason he doesn't want to play in a top 5 league anymore.

He went to US because his family wanted to go there. It was more so a family decision than a sports decision as he has proven everything in football.

 

[NyQuil]

He went to US because his family wanted to go there. It was more so a family decision than a sports decision as he has proven everything in football.

They didn't want to go to Saudi Arabia, apparently one other European club offered, and he chose Miami instead.

In any event, he's been in the US for 4 years now, so he's even further along in his career today as when he made his initial decision.

 

[SirKillalot]

They didn't want to go to Saudi Arabia, apparently one other European club offered, and he chose Miami instead.

This you can't even believe yourself. For sure he had multiple offers. Family elected to go to Miami its as simple as that.

 

[NyQuil]

This you can't even believe yourself. For sure he had multiple offers. Family elected to go to Miami its as simple as that.

He didn't want to play for a European club that wasn't Barca. And they couldn't accommodate his salary demands without shipping out players.

That left Miami and Saudi Arabia.

 

[SirKillalot]

He didn't want to play for a European club that wasn't Barca. And they couldn't accommodate his salary demands without shipping out players.

That left Miami and Saudi Arabia.

That doesn't mean he didn't have other offers.
As mentioned, this was a family decision to go to Miami. Happy wife, happy life.

 

[Live in the Now]

He also wanted to play with his friends from Barcelona in Miami. He literally said so.

 

[Karterthadon]

Not at all.

If they watch his health and let him miss all kinds of time to rest and sub in frequently instead of starting, sure he can.

It's not so easy to do that for CL clubs with all the pressure to win.

I don't think he wants to end his career with some serious injury because he was trying to do too much in one of the most competitive leagues on the planet.

Well, he could go back to PSG and play 8 Ligue 1 games and all the CL games, seems to have worked out well for them.

 

[cgf]

Well, he could go back to PSG and play 8 League 1 games and all the CL games, seems to have worked out well for them.

I thought not getting hurt was the whole plan?