On the one hand, ya. On the other, CR7 is a bigger star than you realize. The EU alone is about the same size as the US, and he is super popular there. Now throw in SA, Africa and Asia, and there you go. Would be like someone in Poland thinking Tom Brady is not really noteworthy.
Yeah….I don’t get it whatsoever. And he’s not a product of the expanded rosters. He would have been on the squad if it was only 23 players.
I understand it is part of soccer but I think I’ll always roll my eyes at the dramatic overselling, flopping.
I've noticed it's more prevalent in certain situations with certain teams. For instance, when we play less talented Central American squad, I know it's going to be an absolute shit show, especially if they manage to get ahead. Certain leagues and cultures seem to have differing attitudes about its place in the game. The one guy for the US who was the worst for this was Jozy Altidore, ironically one of the stoutest players we've ever had. I remember Mexican fans [itch bay]ing about him all the time and me thinking, well, they have a point.
I don’t get it either, I don’t even register that I’ve been fouled until it’s too late usually but then I haven’t been doing it all my life
Messi probably scored more goals because he didn't flop down at the slightest contact, kept playing and scored than if he just fell every time he was breathed on in the box.
FIFA is getting serious about Mexico's anti-gay chants. They have to play their next 2 home games behind closed doors, and they are discussing losing tournament points or simply being banned if this continues.
Mexican fans often try to say it's not really a gay slur and more like "[itch bay]", but I asked my wife, a native Spanish speaker, and she said this explanation was bullshit. I'm still amazed, after all these years, CONCACAF officials, local authorities, whatever haven't figured out how shitty their fans can be in terms of throwing stuff on the field and put more police or security in the corners to address the recurring problem.
And, what of the dozens upon dozens more who simply had bad aim? It could be addressed before it started, but they are reliant upon reviewing the actions later on.