The Official 2018 FIFA World Cup Thread

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

Ain't that the truth. Remember James Rodriguez was supposed to take over the world after the 2014 World Cup. James is a really good player, but he didn't become the Messi or Ronaldo-like player some were foaming at the mouth about.

Mbappe is a little different though; he showed an incredible level of skill for someone who is only 19. He certainly appears to be better than Neymar was at that age and probably Ronaldo. Is he better than Messi was at 19?

None of you watched Mbappe at Monaco? At 17-18 years of age he led that team to champions league semi finals. He was best player on the field in every game up to the semifinals.

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

Ain't that the truth. Remember James Rodriguez was supposed to take over the world after the 2014 World Cup. James is a really good player, but he didn't become the Messi or Ronaldo-like player some were foaming at the mouth about.

Mbappe is a little different though; he showed an incredible level of skill for someone who is only 19. He certainly appears to be better than Neymar was at that age and probably Ronaldo. Is he better than Messi was at 19?

I never thought James was a top 20 player. Even after magical World Cup. This young man is different. He’s special in every aspect of the game. When he took the ball in defensive third against Argentina and ran past their entire team to earn a penalty kick (where griezmann got another goal) you couldn’t help but laugh.

 

[05_never_again]

I never thought James was a top 20 player. Even after magical World Cup. This young man is different. He’s special in every aspect of the game. When he took the ball in defensive third against Argentina and ran past their entire team to earn a penalty kick (where griezmann got another goal) you couldn’t help but laugh.

Perhaps, but people were really jumping on his bandwagon after that WC. He was supposed to go to Real Madrid, be a world class player for them, and be a prominent face of the game behind Ronaldo and Messi. He's been good, but it hasn't quite gone like that.

I agree that Mbappe does appear to have something more about him than James did, mostly because he's only 19. He isn't 23 - 25 and showing this kind of skill; he's 19. Plus he's playing in Ligue 1 for big time teams while Neymar was still playing for Santos in Brazil at that age.

 

[n_huffhines]

Griezmann led Atletico Madrid to the Euro final in 2017 and FWIW, he's their highest rated player on FIFA 18. Mbappe is mos def the future, tho

Griezmann just led AM to the UEFA super cup championship

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

Griezmann just led AM to the UEFA super cup championship

Costa was a much bigger factor that game.

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

Neymar should go to Madrid. It must stink always being the second best player on his team.

 

[n_huffhines]

Costa was a much bigger factor that game.

In one game, yeah. Greizmann had like 4 goals in the 3 games before that.

 

[NashVol11]

Perhaps, but people were really jumping on his bandwagon after that WC. He was supposed to go to Real Madrid, be a world class player for them, and be a prominent face of the game behind Ronaldo and Messi. He's been good, but it hasn't quite gone like that.

I agree that Mbappe does appear to have something more about him than James did, mostly because he's only 19. He isn't 23 - 25 and showing this kind of skill; he's 19. Plus he's playing in Ligue 1 for big time teams while Neymar was still playing for Santos in Brazil at that age.

James was considered a rising star, but I never saw him compared to Messi/Ronaldo at all

 

[NashVol11]

He is very close already. You dont think so?

IMO Mbappe is top 10, maybe top 5, but Messi and Ronaldo are still on another level for now

 

[NashVol11]

A pretty good argument could be made that NGolo Kante is actually their best player. However, his role is never one thats going to bag him a lot of goals or headlines.

Yes. Was about to post this. I'd probably still say Mbappe but Kante is so good

 

[NashVol11]

I'd say Griezmann was France's MVP for this WC, but overall Mbappe is their best player followed by Kante and Griez.

 

[n_huffhines]

I'd say Griezmann was France's MVP for this WC, but overall Mbappe is their best player followed by Kante and Griez.

I think because of France's counter-attacking style, Mbappe was their most important player in the WC because he's so electrifying in space...but in a vacuum, Greizmann is still their best player.

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

IMO Mbappe is top 10, maybe top 5, but Messi and Ronaldo are still on another level for now

He’s behind those two, for now.

 

[05_never_again]

James was considered a rising star, but I never saw him compared to Messi/Ronaldo at all

Right - he was supposed to be a prominent face of the game behind Messi and Ronaldo. He is a nice player, but he hasn't achieved the global stardom a lot of people seemed to think was a given after that World Cup.

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

I'd say Griezmann was France's MVP for this WC, but overall Mbappe is their best player followed by Kante and Griez.

I agree with most of this but man, Varane was the mvp imo.

 

[FallCreekVols]

Anyone going to US vs Mex in Nashville Sept 11? Tickets are turning out to be pricier than I expected.