The fact that, for the first time in its history, the Champions League final will not be free to watch in the UK is a case study in everything that's wrong with modern football.
I used to be such an international football hater. The Champions League is the pinnacle of the sport, the level is higher in the club game, international breaks suck, blah blah blah — all the classics.
But the more money gets pumped into club football, and the more unfair and lopsided it becomes, the more I’ve grown to love and appreciate the international game. It feels like the last “pure” version of football.
No bullshit billionaire owners, no state owned clubs, no hoarding the best teenagers on the planet, just the players from your country and that’s it.
Maybe it’s just as because I’m older and getting more pessimistic lol, but I really enjoy and admire international football more than I ever have.
Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.
J. R. R. TOLKIEN
🏴 Tell you what...
We came out of EURO 2024 with no confidence and landed into a *very* tough Nations League.
We grew into it. Competed in every game. Lost by a goal in our first three.
Then three unbeaten. We 100% belong at this level.
Whatever WCQ brings. Bring it on.
Argentina lost the opener to Saudi Arabia in the World Cup. We all know how that ended up. Best to keep your powder a little dry and fly under the radar for a bit.