Johnny

Living the dream, one step at a time

[Johnny @johnnyrox4ever]

@LegacySiu Luka Modric

[Polimer News @polimernews]

#JUSTIN : சரியான சில்லறை கொடுத்து டிக்கெட் வாங்கி பயணம் மேற்கொண்ட முதலமைச்சர் விஜய்

#CMVijay | #Vijay | #NewBuses | #PolimerNews

[Football & Witball @FootballWitball]

🇦🇷 Rodrigo De Paul might never receive the same headlines as football's biggest stars.

But if Argentina are to win another World Cup, few players will be more important.

Against Algeria, De Paul once again showed exactly why he remains one of the first names on Lionel Scaloni's team sheet. While Messi's hat-trick grabbed the spotlight, one of the game's defining moments came from a trademark De Paul contribution, a perfectly weighted line-breaking pass that split the Algerian defence and released Messi to score.

It was a reminder of something Argentina have known for years. Rodrigo De Paul is indispensable.

Since making his international debut, De Paul has been a constant presence throughout Argentina's most successful era in modern football. He started throughout the triumphant Copa América campaign in 2021. He was a key figure during the 2022 World Cup victory. He helped Argentina defend their continental crown in 2024. Through every major triumph under Lionel Scaloni, De Paul has been there. That is not a coincidence.

For years, football fans have jokingly labelled him Lionel Messi's "bodyguard." The nickname has followed him everywhere. It comes from the way he constantly protects Messi, confronts opponents, wins duels and refuses to let anyone get close to Argentina's captain without a fight.

But reducing De Paul to merely Messi's bodyguard completely misses the point. He is far more than that. De Paul is the engine that keeps Argentina running.

He presses relentlessly. He covers enormous ground. He recovers possession. He links defence and attack. He plays progressive passes. He increases the tempo when Argentina need urgency and slows things down when control is required.

Most importantly, he understands exactly what Scaloni wants from his team. Against Algeria, there was one moment that perfectly captured his mentality. Deep into the game, with Argentina already comfortable, De Paul chased down a loose ball, intercepted a pass and launched it into the stands before immediately demanding his teammates stay switched on. For him, matches are never over until the final whistle. That intensity is contagious.

As ever, De Paul acted as both the engine and emotional compass of Scaloni's side. His relentless energy, tireless work rate and instinctive reading of the game embody many of the qualities that have turned Argentina into the dominant force of international football.

Is he the most technically gifted midfielder in world football? Probably not. Has he enjoyed the same club success as some of his teammates? Not really. But for Argentina, he has become one of the defining players of an entire generation.

He runs, fights, organizes, inspires and protects. He understands when to raise the intensity and when to calm the game down. His influence extends far beyond goals and assists. It can be seen in every sprint, every tackle, every duel and every act of leadership.

When De Paul moved to Inter Miami, some questioned whether playing in Major League Soccer would weaken his place in the national team. With younger midfielders emerging and competition increasing, there were debates about whether Argentina should begin looking elsewhere.

De Paul answered those questions himself. He explained that regular football was the priority. Playing every three days, staying physically sharp and remaining available for the national team mattered more than anything else. His focus was always on arriving at the World Cup ready to deliver whatever Argentina needed. And so far, he has done exactly that.

At 32, De Paul may not attract the attention that follows Messi, but his role might be more important than ever. Argentina possess world-class attackers, creative midfielders and elite defenders, but very few players combine intensity, leadership, tactical intelligence and sacrifice quite like him.

Rodrigo De Paul remains one of the biggest reasons why Lionel Scaloni's dynasty keeps marching forward.

[LUMUMBA VEA 🇨🇩🐆 @JumbaDrc]

WE ARE READY 🇨🇩🐆🐆🐆
🙋🏾‍♂️

[Johnny @johnnyrox4ever]

@pkgeopolitics When people become football fans because of player’s looks or fashion rather than the game itself, posts/comments like these are inevitable. And unfortunately, we live in a world where we have to witness such stupidity.

[Johnny @johnnyrox4ever]

Cutest fans in the stadium stole the spotlight.
1. #Argentina Fan
2. #Uruguay Fan

WorldCup2026 has given us many things, but these two little cuties stole the show.🫶🫶🫶

#Messi #FIFAWorldCup2026

[Olympique de Marseille @OM_Officiel]

Une passe décisive de 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮 pour contribuer à un but historique de la Coupe du Monde 🅰️🇦🇷

#ARGAUT #FIFAWorldCup

[BigMoh jr @Koladoskidculer]

🚨 Ralf Rangnick on Lionel Messi’s performance tonight:

🗣️ “What Messi did tonight… honestly, it’s difficult to put into words.

We spent the entire week preparing for him. Every training session was focused on how to limit his space, how to cut off his passing lanes, how to stop him between the lines. And still, he finds a way.

At his age, to play with that level of intensity, creativity, and intelligence—it’s just incredible. You think you’ve seen everything from him, and then he produces something like this.

There were moments we had two, three players around him, and it didn’t matter. One touch, one movement, and he’s gone. That’s not normal—that’s special.

When people talk about the greatest, you have to look at consistency at the highest level. For so many years, he’s not only matched the competition around him—including Cristiano—but in games like this, he shows he can still rise above it.

And now you see the younger generation, players like Mbappé at their peak, and Messi is still there, competing, still decisive. That tells you everything.

Tonight, we faced a player who reminds the world why he’s unique.” #ARGAUS

[Trig 🇦🇷🇪🇸 @Kharlerh]

the cameraman captured the entire messi fan life cycle in a few seconds 😂😂

[S@tti C @The__Samaritan]

Short of Adjectives.
God of the Game.
Theeeeee God of the Game

[Juez Central @Juezcentral]

Qué momento tras el Argentina-Austria. Lionel Messi va a saludar a José Pekerman, que está como comentarista de la TV.

Don José lo abraza emocionado y lo mira con admiración. No olvidar que Pekerman fue de los primeros que acercó a Messi a la selección argentina cuando lo buscaban desde España. Y fue el que lo hizo debutar en Mundiales, hace 20 años.

Hoy lo encuentra ya como campeón del mundo y justo el día que se convierte en el máximo goleador en la historia de los Mundiales. Espectacular🩵

[Victor Lefaucheux @Premieretouche]

les escabeaux 🪜​de #Scaloni en 4132

4 lignes de passes - dont 2 qui sont la même

​1️⃣​Lautaro 2e poteau
2️⃣​​MOC lancé
3️⃣​MOC / MCG pieds
​4️⃣​Messi retrait - sur la même ligne diagonale

1ère séquence : remise / limite HJ

2e : #Dummy -> Filoche

[Guinness World Records @GWR]

All the records broken by Lionel Messi today:

Most FIFA World Cup finals goals by a football (soccer) player - 18

Most FIFA World Cup matches played in by an individual - 28

Most matches won by a player at the football (soccer) FIFA World Cup - 18

Most minutes played in the football (soccer) FIFA World Cup - 2,489

We are witnessing history.

[ᜰ 🇦🇷🇯🇵 @markklfc]

Miroslav Klose on Lionel Messi breaking his World Cup goalscoring record:

🗣️ “When I scored my goals at the World Cup, I never imagined a day would come where someone would not only break the record, but completely redefine what it means to score at this level. Seventeen goals… that is something truly extraordinary.”

“I always believed records are made to be broken, but some records feel like they belong to a different era of football. What Lionel Messi has done is take that record and elevate it into something far beyond what anyone expected.”

“What stands out to me is not just that he broke it, but how he broke it. The consistency, the timing, the pressure moments this is not accumulation, this is dominance on the biggest stage in world football.”

“I played against the best defenders in my time, and I know how difficult it is just to score one goal at a World Cup. To reach 17, in such demanding conditions, across different tournaments, is something almost unimaginable.”

“There is also something special about the way he plays he doesn’t just finish chances, he controls games, creates moments, and changes matches in ways that go far beyond statistics.”

“I feel proud in a strange way, because if someone had to break my record, it had to be a player like Lionel Messi. A player who has defined an era and given football moments people will never forget.”

“At the end of the day, records are part of football’s story, but legends are what give those records meaning. And Messi has given this one a completely new meaning.”

“When people speak about World Cup history now, they will not just mention numbers they will mention greatness. And his name will always be at the center of that conversation.”

[Seven Screen Studio @7screenstudio]

Some men belong to an era.
Some men become one.

To the man who mastered both
and became a phenomenon of his own ♥️

Wishing our dearest Hon'ble Chief Minister,
Vijay sir, a very Happy Birthday ♥️

@actorvijay @TVKVijayHQ #HBDCMJosephVijay

[Selección Argentina in English @AFASeleccionEN]

Just another day at the office 😎

[Johnny @johnnyrox4ever]

Right pass to the player in the best position.. Bruno said it best. Team first, stats later. Portugal drew, not lost. The goals will come for #Portugal & #Ronaldo soon. Some fans care more about individual stats than the team's success—that's the real problem. #FIFAWorldCup2026

[Moha @MohaXtra]

🎙️ Bruno Fernandes on the criticism directed at Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s style of play:

🗣️ “Yes, I’ve seen the criticism. I know some people are talking about me and other Portugal players, saying that we don’t do enough to help Cristiano Ronaldo. I understand the passion of the fans because Cristiano means so much to Portugal, but sometimes people misunderstand what happens on the pitch.”

“Cristiano is our captain, our leader, the greatest player to ever represent Portugal, and one of the greatest footballers in history. Every player in this squad respects him enormously. What he has done for our country over the last two decades is incredible and something that may never be repeated.”

“But football is a team sport. Some fans think every attack should end with a pass to Ronaldo, but that’s not how football works at the highest level. The objective is to make the best decision for the team. If Cristiano is in the best position, of course we will find him. If another teammate is in a better position, we have to make that pass instead.”

“People ask why I don’t always pass to him. The answer is simple: we are trying to win matches, not force statistics. If Cristiano has the ball, he can pass to me. If I have the ball, I can pass to him. That’s how football has always worked. Nobody in this team is playing for individual numbers.”

“About free-kicks and set pieces, Cristiano has never forced anyone. Sometimes I feel confident and ask to take them myself, and he respects that. We have a great relationship and complete respect for one another.”

“At the end of the day, we are here to fight for Portugal, to make our fans proud, and to bring trophies to our country. We are not here to help Cristiano score a brace or a hat-trick. We are here to help Portugal win. That is the responsibility of every player who wears this shirt.”

[Sage @Sage_FCB]

🚨Cesc Fabregas on Rodrigo De Paul's assist for Lionel Messi's first goal against Algeria:

🗣 “Everyone will remember Messi's finish because that's what naturally catches people's attention. It was a fantastic goal. But for me, the real masterpiece was Rodrigo De Paul's pass.

When you watch it back, you appreciate just how difficult that ball actually is. The timing is perfect. He doesn't rush it, he waits for the exact moment when the defensive line is at its weakest, and then he plays a pass with the perfect weight and direction.

With one action, he takes four defenders completely out of the game. That's not luck,that's football intelligence, awareness, and outstanding technical execution.

People often celebrate the goalscorer, but sometimes the assist is the hardest part of the move. Rodrigo created the entire opportunity. Without that vision and precision, the goal never happens.

What I admire most is his understanding of space. He constantly scans the pitch, recognizes where the advantage is, and has the courage and quality to attempt passes that most midfielders wouldn't even see.

These are the details that separate good midfielders from elite ones. De Paul may not always receive the headlines, but performances like this show exactly why he's so valuable to Argentina. He gives balance, intensity, creativity, and in moments like this, he produces passes that completely change the game.

For me, that assist deserves to be spoken about just as much as Messi's finish because it was every bit as special.”

[Dona Lúcia @DonaLuciaHexa]

REUNIÃO DE CRAQUES NA COPA DO MUNDO 2026

[JonyBall @Jony_Ball]

The Art of Vacating Lines: Scaloni's Trap vs Algeria.

Let’s break down the opening goal second by second.

THREAD 🧵

1 )16:02
Algeria’s compact 4-4-2 limits the space between lines. Argentina’s attackers are completely trapped inside this narrow mid-block. 👇