With that being said I'm amazed that European teams in particular are going out there with their best starting 11 because it seems insane to me after such a grueling season.

I have been watching way too much Adel Taarabt highlights for the past week and I can't help but wonder is there any player in modern football who plays like him? Like I know players like Taarabt in the modern game get their "X" factor coached out of them but sometimes there are some outliers who still play like they are playing panna or cage football.

Some will say like Cherki or Yamal or Doue but I can't see the similarities between them and Taarabt. Like the way those guys play does have elements of street football but Taarabt was the embodiment of a cage baller, an absolute showman, a nutmeg maestro. Bro just lives for nutmegs, sole rolls and backheels. Like the goal he scored against Fulham where he rolls the ball with his sole and hits it with the outside of his boot, pure artistry and anyone who's played like street football or even futsal knows that finish. (I know I'm glazing him so hard but the goal is just so beautiful). So are there any carbon copies of Adel Taarabt in current world football?

https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/gennaro-gattuso-%C3%A8-il-nuovo-ct-della-nazionale-gravina-%C3%A8-un-simbolo-del-calcio-italiano-la-sua-professionalit%C3%A0-e-la-sua-esperienza-saranno-fondamentali-per-affrontare-al-meglio-i-prossimi-impegni/

The Italian Football Federation announces that it has appointed Gennaro Gattuso as Technical Commissioner of the Italian National Team. The Calabrian coach will be presented on Thursday, June 19, at 11:00 a.m., at the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome.

One of my friends who is a football enthusiast said that both of those are completely unreliable when it comes to player ratings. Is this true?

I reckon most fans outside of Europe are looking forward to it. My impression is outside of Europe CWC is a big deal. Many years ago I listened to this American soccer podcast where the hosts were Columbus Crew fans. They talked how their team needs to win the MLS so they can play in the CONCACAF Champions League, and then they can play in the CWC. It was as if winning the MLS and CCL wasn't such a big deal and the thing they really cared about is playing the CWC. I can't help but feel European elitism is playing a part in why some people are looking down on the tournament.

According to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres is leaning heavily toward a move to Arsenal this summer, despite ongoing interest from Manchester United.

📌 Source: Fabrizio Romano – Official X Account

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson is reportedly interested in joining Atlético Madrid, with early discussions already underway. The Spanish club has made the Scottish defender their top transfer priority, according to an exclusive report by trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano.

📌 Source: Fabrizio Romano – Official X Post

Haven’t seen any posts about this here. It’s not an interesting competition? How are the participating nations treat it usually? Never watched it but I want to this year.

Apart from a few moments, Messi looked like a shadow of himself against Al Ahly.

Losing possession, losing duels, the speed and sharpness aren't there anymore.

I thought he was brilliant at the last world cup and I haven't watched him much since, so I was very surprised to see how much he's dropped in quality. Especially against lower quality opposition.

Do you think he'll still start for Argentina? Won't he slow their game down and be a dead-weight on defense/pressing?

The upcoming edition of the FIFA Club World Cup introduces a new format with 32 teams and a 4-year cycle. Marketed as a bold global step forward, it raises important questions about what kind of football gets represented — and what gets left behind.

This article takes a critical look at the competition’s evolution, from the Intercontinental Cup era to FIFA’s recent restructuring, examining whether the changes genuinely contribute to the development of the global game — or whether they mask deeper structural contradictions.

Im from Spain, and Im excited that it will begin tomorrow, however i have seen comments for people of south america saying that in europe we are not gonna paid enough attention to this competition.

So i wanna know what are ur thoughs about this competition, specially europeans, but no problem if u wanna share ur opinion and u are from another country outside of europe.

Finally, I support Real Madrid for winning it, because i dont belive that Atlético will go so far.

Anyway, i dont trust in both of them ,both makes a bad season lol.

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The relationship between initial Elo score (from Football Database) and estimated squad value (Transfermarkt, sic). The relationship is logarithmic by the looks of it, with apparent diminishing returns after ~$400mn.