&nbsp;
Following Sunday’s <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/07/13/watch-germany-wins-2014-world-cup-match-highlights-video/">World Cup final loss to Germany</a>, albeit in extra time, Lionel Messi’s legacy took a sharp hit. If he never wins the game’s most prestigious trophy, Messi will never be considered the greatest soccer player ever, and that’s okay because he is already an iconic figure in the sport with a lot more to contribute.
It’s unfortunate that the Argentine captain ridiculed teammates for their efforts in the final like he wasn’t a part of the game and couldn’t have affected it to his team’s favor.
“We haven’t been in the semifinals for many years and the fact that we played the final and the way we played it, it’s something to be proud of. But we deserved more and that’s why we are sad. The strikers missed the chances we had. It’s a bad feeling for all of us because we couldn’t win the cup and take it to our people. It’s painful to lose it by so little. We were very close of a big change for this national team but we couldn’t finish it,” said the 27-year-old after the match.
Sure, Gonzalo Higuaín was offside throughout the match and Rodrigo Palacio couldn’t flick the ball over Manuel Neuer’s head but the four-time Ballon d’Or winner wasted a chance in the 47th minute as well. Midfielder Lucas Biglia placed a great through ball for the six-time La Liga champion. Messi saw the far post was open so he shot with his preferred left foot and it went off target to result in a goal kick.
Following the match during award presentations, the three-time Champions League winner won the Golden Ball which signifies that he was the best player of the tournament. In a <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/07/07/the-contenders-to-win-the-golden-ball-trophy-at-world-cup-2014/">previous article</a>, I stated that Messi would get the award because of getting the Albicelestes to the final so it wasn’t a surprise when he got the accolade. The man he’s battling to be considered the greatest of all time was not pleased with the three-time European Golden Shoe recipient receiving the prize.
“Messi? I would give him heaven if possible but it’s not right when someone wins something that he shouldn’t have won just because of some marketing plan,” said Diego Maradona on his TV show.
Maradona mentions a marketing plan because Adidas is the sponsor of the Golden Ball and Messi is endorsed by the German company.
To me, Maradona will remain the greatest player ever until someone can catapult a club and country like how he did in his illustrious career. Pele was also a surreal athlete but he played with other iconic players for the Brazilian national team like Garrincha, Didi, Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos and Vava. The national team had so many world class players that they won the 1962 World Cup without O Rei, who got injured the first match of the tournament and was knocked out the tournament. Messi and Pele played for sides that are considered to be the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2013/09/23/the-top-20-greatest-soccer-club-teams-of-all-time-complete-with-video-evidence/">greatest teams of all time</a> because of how much talent they were surrounded by and what they accomplished but Maradona was a man who didn’t play with teams that had an immense amount of talent but he could raise his game to unseen heights.
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The 53-year-old played for six clubs in his career but his biggest impact was felt at Napoli where he’s still treated like the messiah in Naples. Before the 1986 World Cup champion played for the club they never won Serie A and with him they had their most successful era by winning the league twice and the Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and the UEFA Cup, Europa League, once in a five-year span. Unlike his compatriot whose impact dwindled as his team progressed in the 2014 World Cup, Maradona’s influence grew in 1986 as he had braces in consecutive games in the quarterfinals and semifinals. It was a miracle that Argentina even made the final in 1990 and Maradona didn’t score during the whole tournament but he became more of a playmaker to facilitate his team’s attack and influence his team in another way.
<a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDwLjr-6i_g">Messi</a> is already on the Mount Rushmore of soccer players along with Johan Cruyff, Maradona and Pele but to be the greatest means transcending the game. <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7HFq1gKeUU">Pele</a> was the first black international sports star and served as a missionary for the game playing around the world to spread the message of soccer. Maradona was the short and pudgy troublemaker that transformed into a genius when his feet was on the ball and provided joy to places where they didn’t have a history of winning while carrying decent talent to championship heights. <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Plese2FhlU">Cruyff</a> is the walking definition of total football that changed the world and gave Barcelona the philosophy they use today.
Lionel Messi should look to LeBron James on how he should view other people’s expectations of him. James changed his legacy by going back home to Cleveland and admitting in his <a href="http:\/\/www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers">letter</a>&nbsp;that it was going to take a while for him to win a championship again. In a way he’s taking himself out of contention to pass Michael Jordan in being considered the greatest of all time, or G.O.A.T. James went to Miami to follow people’s ideals of needing a championship to be validated in his career and now that he has two, he wants to be a leader in his hometown and region. Argentina doesn’t love Messi because they feel he is more of a Catalan because he’s been at Barcelona since he was 12 and hasn’t performed as well for his national team but in the World Cup he was spectacular and making it to the final was a major accomplishment.
If Messi never wins the big game he’ll still be one of the three greatest players of all time and helped revolutionize the game as a false nine, with tiki-taka and shattering record books every year. Barring injury, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist will be 31-years-old when 2018 comes around and Argentina will have another chance to win their third World Cup. It’ll be unfortunate if Messi never wins the tournament but his career shouldn’t be considered incomplete if he never wins the World Cup.

Messi Will Most Likely Never Be The Best Ever And That's Okay - World Soccer Talk

Messi Will Most Likely Never Be The Best Ever And That's Okay

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104378" title="brazil-world-cup-protests" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/brazil-world-cup-protests.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="397" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054106/brazil-world-cup-protests.jpg 640w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054106/brazil-world-cup-protests-150x93.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054106/brazil-world-cup-protests-300x186.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17054106/brazil-world-cup-protests-600x372.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></figure>
Police in Sao Paulo fired off tear gas to break up a small group of protesters walking to Corinthians Stadium&nbsp;where the opening ceremony will occur in a few hours.
While the most of the globe is concerned about the World Cup opening match, many Brazilians are upset that the tournament is even taking place on their soil. This is due to the $11 billion spent to prepare for the World Cup while the people are desperate for to decrease the gap between the wealthy and poor,&nbsp;better schools, healthcare, transportation and several other issues. While Brazil hosts host the festivities for a month, FIFA takes most of the revenue, hence making matter worse for the Brazilian people. Also, some stadiums that were built, like the one in Manaus, will be useless afterwards, gather dust and remain a reminder of the waste the government has been producing.
Last year, over a million people protested across the country requesting an improvement on public services while highlighting corruption and the expenses of the World Cup during the Confederations Cup. In the process today, at least one protester was arrested and a CNN reporter was injured.
The uproar will only get louder as the tournament commences today and while we will all enjoy the the games occurring throughout the month, let us not forget the social strife most Brazilians will go through during and after the attention leaves their country.
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WATCH Protests In Brazil Turn Violent As Police Shoot Tear Gas [VIDEO]

WATCH Protests In Brazil Turn Violent As Police Shoot Tear Gas [VIDEO] - World Soccer Talk

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-104027" title="World Cup Bracket" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140611_CMS_104021_World-Cup-Bracket-600x379_9a0095de.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=379" alt="" width="600" height="379" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket-600x379.png 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket-150x94.png 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket-300x189.png 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket.png 986w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>
After last month’s correct prediction&nbsp;that Real Madrid would win the UEFA Champions League final in extra time after a 1-1 draw in regulation, it’s now time to offer my World Cup advice. I’ve reviewed the betting odds for the World Cup and have identified four bets to increase your bankroll by the end of this summer’s tournament.
Most of us come from nations that probably won’t win the World Cup, so a wager on an outright tournament winner gives us something to root for as well as favorable odds due to the unpredictable nature of a knockout tournament. Anything can happen at a World Cup but there are four teams that represent the overwhelming favorites to win: Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Spain. It wouldn’t surprise me to see any of the four win the tournament but I think only one team has all the necessary pieces to bring the trophy home.
Spain to win the World Cup: +650
Spain, the defending European and World champion. No team has been able to come close to the dominance Spain has enjoyed over the past six years. In the past two European Championships, Spain has conceded just one goal in 12 matches on their way to back to back continental crowns. Their 2010 World Cup winning performance was nearly as impressive, conceding just two goals in their seven matches in South Africa. For a team that has won everything, the motivation of the players is often questioned, with many critics speculating that manager Vicente Del Bosque won’t be able to spark his side to one more triumph on the global stage. What critics fail to mention is that this Spanish team is playing for more than just a trophy this year; they are playing for immortality and the right to be called the greatest national team in history.
Spain played without a center forward for much of Euro 2012, utilizing a false nine strategy that saw a central midfielder, often Cesc Fabregras, play as the furthest man up the pitch. La Furia Roja will almost certainly forego that approach this summer with the addition of Diego Costa, one of the most in-form forwards in the world. The soon-to-be Chelsea forward, who was born and raised in Brazil, played twice for his native country before declaring his allegiance for Spain in late 2013, much to the ire of Selecao boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and Brazilians everywhere. Atletico Madrid’s other center forward for this past campaign will represent the best alternative to Costa this summer and that is Spain’s all-time leading scorer David Villa. Although seeing a decline in form since suffering a broken leg at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, Villa represents a viable alternative to Costa and can make an impact as a substitute late in a game if Spain needs to find a goal.
Much is made of the harsh Brazilian climate but the smothering heat and humidity will play into the hands of Spain and their preferred style of play. The tiki-taka philosophy of quick passing and ball retention forces opponents to relentlessly chase the ball for much of a match. The added effect of the Brazilian weather will only expedite the tiring of opponents. This style of play has created problems for Spain’s opponents in the past, and one mistake is all they need to snatch a winner, as evidenced by their series of 1-0 victories the 2010 World Cup.
A potential issue for Spain is that they lie in Group B, while host nation and tournament favorites Brazil sit in Group A. If both sides win their group, or come in second, they will avoid each other until the final. However, a first place finish for Brazil and second place finish for Spain, or vice versa, will see the two sides meet in the round of 16. I envision both sides taking care of business in their group, setting up a Confederation Cup final rematch on July 13 at the Maracana in Rio.
Spain has an extremely experienced core in Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Xavi but they’ve also rejuvenated their squad with in-form players like the Atletico trio of Koke, Juanfran and the aforementioned Costa. The combination of World Cup veterans and hungry newcomers will propel Spain heights no country has ever reached and it starts with the Netherlands on Friday.
Chile to qualify for the Round of 16: -105
Chile would be more than satisfied to come out of Group B in the second position, as Spain look the most likely to come in first. Australia looked respectable against Croatia in their most recent friendly, but with a squad that left out veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, as well as veteran defenders Luke Wilkshire and Lucas Neill, they are a squad in transition that will struggle against the superior opposition in the group. I think back to a friendly in March of this year where Australia got off to a flying start against Ecuador, going 3-0 up inside the first hour. The match finished 4-3 to Ecuador and it’s that type of capitulation that makes it hard to think of the Socceroos as anything more than a fourth place team in Group B.
The Netherlands had a nightmare performance at Euro 2012 that resulted in three defeats, and no traces of that woeful display can resurface if they hope to escape one of the toughest groups of the tournament. They have an aging, but extremely formidable, attacking presence in Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. The problem for the Dutch is their defense, which is comprised almost entirely of players who ply their trade in the Dutch Eredivsie. The league is one of the stronger in the world but the attacking players of Spain and Chile are significantly more skilled then what they’ve seen on a weekly basis for their clubs. The Netherlands will improve on their Euro 2012 campaign, but only slightly, as they will finish third in the group.
It would be unfair to call Chile a one-man squad, but Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal is unquestionably Chile’s most important player, and one they cannot afford to be without when their tournament begins on Friday against Australia. The Chilean camp remains optimistic that Vidal will be ready for that match, and provided he is healthy, he will play a massive part in their quest to advance. He will look to link up with Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, who is capable of producing a goal from nothing, his most recent being in the final game of the La Liga season that put Barcelona in front against Atletico Madrid. In a competition known for low scoring affairs, a moment of brilliance from Sanchez is all it may take for Chile to make a deep run in this competition.
Bosnia and Herzegovina to qualify for the Round of 16: -120
Like Chile in Group B, Bosnia and Herzegovina would be more than satisfied with a second place finish in Group F as Argentina look to be in excellent form and are contenders to win the whole tournament. Iran is coming off an encouraging 2-0 win in their final friendly against Trinidad and Tobago but will face a much tougher task at the World Cup. Iran has qualified for the tournament three times and each time has found them exiting in the first round. Iran has been organized defensively, keeping clean sheets in three of their final four friendlies, but the superior talent of their opponents in the group will be too much for them and they will finish last.
Nigeria were handled comfortably in a 2-1 defeat against the United States in their last friendly before the World Cup and recorded three draws in their prior matches against Greece, Scotland, and Mexico. The team is composed of players representing clubs from the top leagues in Europe and on paper have a chance to advance. However, their performances in their pre-tournament friendlies have shown nothing to indicate that they are capable of getting a result versus Argentina or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nigeria won’t play well enough as a squad to advance, which is why they will finish third.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are led by Manchester City hit man Edin Dzeko, who is coming off his finest season since making his move from the German side Wolfsburg. He scored an impressive 10 goals in his nation’s first ever successful World Cup qualification campaign but will need to replicate that form on the world’s biggest stage if Bosnia hopes to advance. While Bosnia and Herzegovina may not have the overall midfield talent that Dzeko is used to playing with at Manchester City, his teammate Miralem Pjanic is coming off a fantastic season at AS Roma and looks to be one of the best young midfielders in the world. A technical player who can play in the perfect ball to his teammates, he and Dzeko will form a dangerous partnership that can break through even the stingiest of defenses. The Dragons are also anchored by Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who is regularly tested by some of the best club teams in the world on a weekly basis in the Premier League. Bosnia and Herzegovina are not strong enough to finish ahead of Argentina, but they will find a way to qualify for the knockout rounds in their first ever World Cup.
Belgium eliminated in the group stage: +450
Belgium is this year’s trendy dark horse pick to make a deep run in the tournament and on paper they have one of the strongest sides in the field. The problem for Belgium is that while their players have experience in the top club competitions in the world, not a single player on the Belgian team has played at the European Championships or the World Cup. Much like Manchester City in the Champions League in recent years, the lack of experience on the big stage will be their downfall despite the tremendous talent they possess. The difference between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium is public expectation. I expect Belgium to fail to live up to the hype this summer and finish third in the group behind Russia and South Korea.
For those of you who are curious, here are the rest of my pre-tournament predictions. Click on the image for an expanded view.
<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-104027" title="World Cup Bracket" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140611_CMS_104021_World-Cup-Bracket-600x379_f029d8ea.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=379" alt="" width="600" height="379" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket-600x379.png 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket-150x94.png 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket-300x189.png 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/World-Cup-Bracket.png 986w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure>
As always, bet responsibly and good luck.

Predictions And Betting Advice For The World Cup

Predictions And Betting Advice For The World Cup - World Soccer Talk

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