Men's Soccer (Football) Thread [ARCHIVED] Soccer • Page 2084

I think we underestimate how difficult it is to turn down significantly more money in sports (or life), even for those who are already obscenely wealthy. Im sure much of the pitch to get him to Al-Hilal will say “you could get hurt tomorrow and it’s over,” to say nothing of the allure of being a pioneer. If the league takes off, he makes a billion a year forever. Maybe the club World Cup finally means something more than the UCL. Those scenarios are obviously unlikely, but either one is an easy mental “out” for people who are tempted and looking to rationalize a career move. It’s a low risk move when Real Madrid and UCL glory are still virtually guaranteed in a year.

I don’t think he’ll take it because he’s young enough for that competitive spirit to still drive his decision making, but we’ve seen enough “good” people in life make “greedy” moves to make me think that it’s just impossible to truly empathize with the choices these people make. I mean, even Kante even took a Saudi offer. They’re in different stages of their career, but surely even Kante is already set for life, no? yet even he is still not “above” the Saudi league.

 

Where am I saying he should be staying? I’ve been advocating him to move on to Madrid for years now, a player like that especially this early in his career is wasted in France. If the option is one more year at PSG v going to SA he’s better off staying at PSG.

 

I think sometimes we also credit footballers with more of a moral conscience than they really have.

We know why joining the Saudi league sucks, but does a pampered millionaire who spends 75% of their time in an overtly masculine, jock environment? Most of them basically leave school at 16 and go straight to full-time sport, they probably aren't very clued in. Besides, if you already play for PSG/Man City/Chelsea, you probably figure it doesn't make much difference.

 

I also think we maybe underestimate the level of poverty that a lot of these players come from. I won't pretend to know Mbappe's background, but many footballers come from really impoverished backgrounds. I imagine it's much harder to say no to some of the figures that are banded about when you've been used to having nothing.

 

It’s 776 million dollars, which is a mind boggling amount to virtually anybody. I don’t think the difference between growing up in poverty vs middle class (or even upper class) really makes a difference here.

 

In other news, that Kane news from last night is odd. It was all United related journalists but United came out today and quashed it. Basically saying no chance at all. Must have been Kane’s team giving that to the journalists.

 

Let's not underestimate Mbappe's agent (his mother) in this case. She's meant to be a major piece of work.

 

I'll go be sober and celibate for a year of footy for that amount.

 

I think people are really over looking the payment issues that have happened with the Saudi league recently. 4 tribunals in 18 months, advocating for sanctions, and 50 labor disputes in 12 months. What are the odds Mbappe even sees all of that (pre-tax) money? Probably less than 50%.

also his net worth is north of $150 million right now. Mbappe is already generationally wealthy.

 

Seeing some reports that PSG accepted it and now it’s on Mbappe’s hands.

 

I can’t believe we think we have a chance

 

Might be somebody at the club leaking this story to the press to soften the blow of losing Kane? Just a thought.

 

So many different takes in here just to defend obscene greed. Because thats all it is. Any player that goes to the Saudi league is doing it for this one reason, greed. They are all multi-millionaires already. The league is a joke sporting wise. There's no reason to go there except for that one thing - greed.

 

Madrid will end up sending a low ball offer to PSG and get him for like €80m.

No other club stands a chance.

 

Pretty sure Ronaldo went there so he could be considered the best player in the league... you know since won't come to MLS.

 

Pretty sure Ronaldo is a rapist that I couldn't care less about...

 

I liked this headline too " Fans convinced ‘Adidas are sending a cry for help’ with new Man Utd away kit release after Arsenal ‘monstrosity’"

 

that United away kit is crazy because, to me at least, the short-sleeve version is actually kinda ok but the long-sleeve is one of the worst I've seen in some time

 

Yeah the long sleeve is so bad.

 

Gallagher is a nice fit for an Ange midfielder but Chelsea’s price tag might too much for me. They rejected 40m from West Ham and I’d be surprised if we paid more than that.

 

This stuff is always cringe, but it’s impressive that Gabi Martinelli manages to act like a gun is being put to his head lol. Rare to see a footballer THIS unhappy to be in a video lol.

 

Saw on TikTok last night (very reliable source, y'know), that Barcelona lost $3m dollars by having to cancel their friendly vs Juventus this weekend (due to gastroenteritis in a large portion of the team) because they couldn't reschedule because Taylor Swift's stage had to be set-up the next day...and she brings in $15m/show so the stadium chose her.

 

Locatelli for 25m??? Sign me up.