What started as training in a warehouse led to the world stage. That’s where Tim Ream’s coaches taught the discipline and fundamentals that still define his game today. Watch his story in The Assist from New York Life.
Zlatan Ibrahimović on Hossam Hassan's claim that Argentina were favoured because of World Cup marketing:
🗣️ “Every time Messi wins, people suddenly start talking about conspiracies. It's the same story over and over again. Instead of accepting defeat, they look for excuses.
“If you're leading 2–0 and still don't win the match, don't blame marketing, the referees, or the tournament. Look at yourselves first. Football doesn't forgive mistakes, especially at the World Cup.
“I have no respect for excuses like that. A national team manager should be setting the example by taking responsibility, not creating narratives that take attention away from what happened on the pitch.
“Argentina fought until the end and earned their result. If you lose, accept it, learn from it, and come back stronger. That's what football is about.”
🚨🎙️ Julián Álvarez on how Argentina treats Lionel Messi:
“People think we take care of Messi because of everything he's won.
That's not the reason.
We take care of him because he has spent his entire career taking care of Argentina.
When you share a dressing room with him, you quickly understand that he never asks to be treated differently. In fact, he's usually the first one to joke around, the first one to congratulate a teammate, and the last person to make anything about himself.
That's exactly why everyone naturally wants to protect him.
If Messi loses the ball, the first thought isn't, 'Why did he lose it?'
It's, 'Let's win it back for Leo.'
That's the mentality of this team.
We know that one touch, one pass, or one moment from him can change everything. So if we have to run an extra five or ten metres to give him that chance, we'll do it every single time.
For us, Messi isn't just the captain.
He's the heartbeat of Argentina.
Wearing the same shirt as the greatest player in history isn't pressure.
It's a privilege that we'll be telling our children about for the rest of our lives.”
FIFA introduced a Round of 32, reduced Ronaldo’s red-card suspension, handed Portugal the softest penalty imaginable, and still had to watch Croatia equalize in stoppage time which they ruled offside.
Absolute robbery to favor Ronaldo. 😭
Imagínate que tu papá sea un Futbolista que estuvo en 3 Copas del mundo y ahora esta retirado y sin absolutamente nada que hacer y quien te cumpla el sueño de llevarte al Estadio a ver a uno de tus equipos favoritos sea tu mamá que se encuentra en medio de la gira más exitosa de su vida 💛 😍🥰🥰🥰
Definitivamente el mejor lugar para esos niños es al lado de Shak...
🚨🎙️ ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIĆ ON LIONEL MESSI'S INFLUENCE ON ARGENTINA AFTER THEIR WIN OVER AUSTRIA:
“I'm obsessed with watching Messi.
Not because he's my friend.
Not because of nostalgia.
Because after all these years, I'm still trying to understand how one player can control a football match without touching the ball every minute.
I watched Argentina today and the first thing I noticed wasn't the scoreline.
It was the way Austria reacted whenever Messi moved.
One step to the left, defenders follow.
One drop into midfield, the entire shape changes.
One glance over his shoulder panic.
That's not football.
That's psychological warfare.
And that's why I laugh when people reduce him to goals and assists.
They don't understand what they're watching.
Messi isn't just Argentina's best player.
He's Argentina's system.
He's their confidence.
He's their belief.
He's the reason every teammate walks onto the pitch thinking the impossible is possible.
People ask me about the GOAT debate.
What debate?
Seriously.
What debate?
For me, there isn't one.
The debate exists because television needs content and social media needs arguments.
When I watch football, I don't see a debate.
I see Messi.
Then I see everybody else.
That doesn't mean other legends weren't incredible.
It means I've never seen another player influence a match, a team and an entire generation of football the way Messi has.
And today was another reminder.
He didn't need a hat-trick.
He didn't need to score from 40 yards.
He just needed to be Lionel Messi.
And suddenly Argentina looked like a completely different team.
That's greatness.
Not when everything depends on you.
When everybody becomes better because you're there.
I've played against great players.
I've played with great players.
But Messi is the only player I've ever watched and genuinely thought:
'This isn't normal.'
The scary thing?
Opponents know exactly what he's going to do.
And they still can't stop it.
That's why I don't waste my time with comparisons anymore.
Some players become legends.
Some players become icons.
Messi became a category of his own.
And after today's performance, if you're still asking me who the greatest footballer of all time is...
You're asking the wrong question.
The right question is:
Will football ever produce another one like him?”