Futbol Americas: Messi Officially Extends with Inter Miami

28:16You know, obviously we're all devastated, you know, but just knowing that he's talking to us and he's being able to, you know, continue to try to give us hope, you know, even in our worst moments, it just makes you realize how great of a coach he is. Yeah, absolutely. And we saw that confidence from him in you after your 27 starts and 30 MLS appearances. is let's dive into the national team now because that was a very exciting summer for you. I mean, the debut, Gold Cup, playing the 90 minutes. What did that mean to you? It mean the world. I mean, I feel like every day when I put on that jersey, you know, it's just to be able to represent my country and be able to give it 100%, you know, and to be able to, you know, go into that summer and start a lot of the games and play 90, it just gave me that confidence boost that I think I needed, you know.

29:04But obviously, I think it just gave me more inspiration for myself, you know, just to be able to work even harder, knowing that, you know, I got to this point in such early time, you know, and just be able to now continue to be able to work when I go to national team and continue to impress, you know, and be able to work for that World Cup spot. Alex, you're one of the few players from Major League Soccer that really made an impression on Mauricio Pochettino, and you've been involved in the last few camps. There is realistically four months from now into your next competitive game. Going into a World Cup year for a player, trying to make an impression.

29:39How difficult do you think that will be for you? And what do you need to do? What's the plan to stay in shape? Yeah, obviously, it's just to be able to train and be able to not only train, but be able to do the extra work. You know, obviously in this kind of situation that I have where we're on the playoffs, it's just being able to go in and do the extra work, do the stuff that, you know, I think are my weaknesses, you know, and just be able to go into these next camps and just give 100 % and show the coaching staff of the national team just that, you know, how important I can be for the team, you know, and how much I will do for this team, you know, just to be able to step on that field and wear that USA jersey.

30:17And what have those conversations with Mauricio Pochettino been like with you, Alex? Yeah, when I first got there, I think first training, he just came up to me and talked to me about how it's Orlando and how everything. And I feel like having a coach like that, that could talk to you one on one, you know, it just means so much. And to know that he has that kind of confidence in me, you know, being able to play me all those games. It just shows me that, you know, that it makes you want to work harder for him. You know, it makes you want to work harder for a coach to have so much confidence in you and just give you the more that you even have.

30:49So, yeah. Alex, it seemed like during the summer series when the U.S. Men's National Team was struggling, you guys went through a building process together, a cultural shift, if you will. And we saw a change in the U.S. Men's National Team in the last camp. Can you pinpoint what that change was? Yeah, I feel like, you know, obviously this camp, it was different. You know, we had a lot of different guys, you know. Obviously some of the people had never been with the cooking staff before. And I think it was just different for a lot of people, you know, and I feel like for us, it was just to be able to show that no matter who's on the field, you know, they're going to be able to represent the crest in the right way, you know, and be able to give 100%.

31:30So I think this summer was just, you know, each and every one of us trying to prove ourselves, you know, to this new coaching staff and to this new environment that we're in. And just to be able to show the world that, you know, whatever players are playing for the U.S., they can have faith in them. And Alex, you had to get comfortable fast, right? I mean, becoming the youngest player to start all the games here for the U.S. men's national team. What has that process been like for you to be able to adapt as quickly as possible and be, as Hercules mentioned, a short time away from the World Cup?

31:58Yeah, I feel like as a professional footballer, I feel like that's one of the things you need to do in life, you know, and just in life in general is to adapt. You know, I think it's something that people need to do fast or else they're not going to be able to succeed in the way they want to do. So for me, the way to adapt was also, you know, on the coaching staff, you know, for them talking to me, having video sessions, you know, just in that space, you know, maybe, you know, I was playing differently than I played in Orlando. But it was good, you know, because now I have that ability to add to my game later on in Orlando and for the national team.

32:31So I guess it's just having that situation, just being able to make the best out of it. Yeah. And being able to make the best out of it, Alex, with your teammates. You know, I asked you about your relationship with Moniz and Pochettino. Is there anybody in particular that you've been leaning on at the national team level? Yeah, obviously, you know, me and some of the young guys, I think we just automatically just come together and talk a little bit. We've been together in youth camps and stuff like that. Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, all those type of guys. But also like the older guys, you know, like the defenders, Chris Richards, Tim Ream.

33:04I feel like those guys, when I first came in, were one of the guys that, you know, talked to me, you know, the captains of the team, you know, the ones that really had the personality to come talk to me and just see how I am, you know, off the field, you know, which is good. And, you know, under guys like Patrick Ajiman and Malik Tillman are also some of the guys off the field, you know. We joke around and stuff like that. But I think it was just a good group this summer and in the camps after, you know, just a good group. And I'm just excited that I was able to spend time with them. You know, Alex, it takes a footballer some time to have everything come together.

33:37You seem within the last year to have a lot of things come together. You started playing regularly for Orlando City. You got called up with the U.S. men's national team. You started playing in a Gold Cup. Now you're somewhat of a regular with Mauricio Pochettino. And there are even European offers coming your way, reports of Villarreal. This is pretty awesome for a kid who, when he tried out for Inter Miami, was told no thank you and went to their rival. And now all this is happening. Can you kind of describe where you're at in your life right now? yeah obviously uh like i said before it's it's amazing how how i am where i am right now you know i think it's forever to be grateful for that um but i feel like uh those type of situations where you don't make it i feel like it strikes you to do more you know and i feel like for me it was just always knowing that you know i have to do more in order to be as good as everyone else you know i can't uh do the simple stuff i can't do the regular stuff that everyone else is doing so just be able to uh go out and just be able to work hard on and off the field every day 100 % I feel like that's something that I'm going to do every day until even after my career.

34:40So I think it's just something that I go by every day and just be able to do that. I think it will go a long way in my career. Alex, I applaud your mentality and the way that you speak too. A lot of the phrases are very impressive. I mean, at 21 years old, at least I'll speak for myself, wasn't speaking that eloquently, although now it is my job. But I want to go a little bit personal here for you. We know that, obviously, when a lot of people talk to you, they talk about your father as well, an NFL legend. I was listening to a radio interview, a local Baltimore radio interview that you did, where you said maybe he doesn't know a lot about soccer, but he's a great motivational speaker.

35:18What has his message been to you in this transformational year? Yeah, I feel like his message to me is just to be myself. You know, I feel like in this type of moment, it's hard to escape, you know, your personality and just be able to be yourself and be able to, you know, strive on that, be able to, you know, shout out to others. I feel like it's something that he always tells me. And he's a very good talker. And I feel like I think I get some of that from him. But I feel like in all in all, I feel like he's one of those guys that if I need someone to motivate me, he'll be the one to give me that talk and just be able to tell me that, you know, you're great and you're on the field for a reason.

35:56So just go show him why he deserved to stay on it. I could see very well why people would ask you about your father. He's a Super Bowl champion, multiple touchdowns and multiple Super Bowls. Talk to me about your mother, Rochelle Hinkle, because when we talk about athletic development, when we talk about footballing development, I kind of feel like she played a big part for you. Yeah, absolutely. I feel like my mom was one of those moms where I lean towards. You know, she was one of those mentors that, you know, I can't bear to emphasize how much she meant to me. So I feel like every day I call her, every day we talk.

36:31I feel like for her and for me, I feel like it's just being so grateful that I have a woman and a mom like that in my life that's so supportive of me. And and and that's always, you know, on my you know, all my stuff, even when I'm doing wrong, you know, but you kind of need someone like that. That's always there for you in that type of way. So, you know, I'm always grateful for my mom and I love her so much. So just to be able to, you know, have her in my life, I'm just so, so grateful. I love that, Alex. I'm sure she's your number one fan, but I read somewhere that she's a Liverpool fan. How is she doing with this season?

37:03Oh, Lord. Yeah, we have a little, we have a little, yeah, in the house is just a little tension. I can't lie. So, but it's good. It's good to have that kind of tension, especially with her. So it's good for me a little bit. I love that. Great influence for your parents. I'm sure they're so proud of you. Alex, thank you so much for taking the time with us here on Football Americas. We very much look forward to see what you're going to do next in your career. Yeah, thank you so much for having me. Game day at my place is kind of a big deal. If I'm grilling, chilling and watching hoops, my outdoor patio setup better be ready to play.

37:42That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grilling accessories, Wayfair's got it all, and it shows up fast. I'm talking championship-level fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and your outdoor chill game and head to Wayfair.com now to get your outdoor space ready for the season. Need parts fast? O 'Reilly Auto Parts has fast. Need them now? We've got now. No matter what you need, we have thousands of professional parts people doing their part to make sure you have it. We're O 'Reilly Fast. Just one part that makes O 'Reilly stand apart. The professional parts people.

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38:39Sticking with MLS here, let's talk about Chucky Lozano, the athletics. Tom Bogert saying the following on X. Sources, Chucky Lozano's status for San Diego's playoff run is uncertain. Situation stems from verbal altercation that happened around Lozano getting subbed out at halftime in the game against Houston. One source says Lozano needs to prove to locker room how committed he is. The burning question. Is this something, nothing or everything, Shaq? Potentially everything. Because of Lozano's kind of high profile status with the football club, you're going into MLS playoffs. On decision day, San Diego had an outstanding result without him.

39:28So all signs point to why do you necessarily need him if he's going to upset a dressing room? So for Lozano, I'm not, given where we are in terms of where we are in this season, I'm not sure what's the way back for him. and with, and again, with good result without him. I'm not sure why you maybe upset that dressing room, upset the personalities within it. That was a must-win game, as Shaq was just telling us. They needed home field advantage. They needed to win the West. And yet they said, nah, we're good. Thank you for the disrespect. We are good. This isn't the first time Chucky Lozano has been involved in this type of indiscipline.

40:18He just got back to the Mexican national team for the same thing. Indiscipline with Jimmy Lozano, with the Mexican Federation, he gone. He comes back after he worked so hard to the Mexican national team, and now this is happening. He's the highest paid player on the team. More than$7 million a year. He wasn't their best player. Was not their best player. Andrews Dreyer, who is a MLS candidate, MVP candidate right now, is their best player. Nine goals, 10 assists. Great. $7 million. I don't know if that's the stats that we're looking for. I don't know if the jersey sales are up there. I don't know if the headache's up there.

40:56Mikey Varis is a U-20 coach at a youth national team level who took this team into first place in the Western Conference. I applaud Mikey Varis. That is not an easy thing to do for any coach, let alone a debutante. What he just gained in respect out of the players in that locker room is hopefully going to carry them a long way. And if it doesn't, he still did the right thing. And if I'm Chucky Lozano right now, I am praying, I am praying that Javier Aguirre, Rafa Marquez, the Mexican Federation are too busy with whatever they got going on to not pay attention to this. Because you just got back to the team for the exact same reasons.

41:35Chucky Lozano, who for many years had not done much. Mexican national team, the last time we could say Chucky Lozano was Chucky Lozano was 2018. At the club level, Napoli, he left. didn't fulfill that transfer fee, that record transfer fee, even though he wasn't a prime player when they won. Remember what happened at Napoli as well, right, with Gattuso? Of course, of course. And it's always somebody else's fault. Ask him to leave training. It's always somebody else's fault. He's a grown man. He's 30 years of age. I'm hoping he doesn't need another call to attention here. I want to go back to something that Herc just said about how Mikey Varas is handling the situation because he was obviously asked about this, Shaq, and he just said we had a situation we're dealing with internally.

42:16Yeah. As a coach, as a player in that dressing room, that is handled perfectly. What happens within our doors stays within our doors, and it doesn't need to spill out. And mind you, that doesn't mean to say that it's going to be a slap on the wrist, it's going to be the end of Chuck Lozano's career, it could be anything in between. But what happens inside stays inside. And as a player, you respect the outward messaging. As a player, you are also looking for the inside action, what happens internally. And as of right now, he's handled this to absolute perfection from a player's perspective sitting in that dressing room.

43:05I mean, it could be this kind of message. which Xabi Alonso just had to deal with a similar situation, right, where I think it was Vinicius Jr., correct me if I'm wrong, that was bothered about having to be subbed. And the way that he said was like, I love this passion. The players always want to be out there. But Mikey Varas, what I want to say with this, Herc, is that he didn't deny that something happened, and he didn't have this speech that we saw from Xabi Alonso, for example. And I think he handled it the right way. We're handling it internally. From his standpoint, there's nothing else to say to the press.

43:38the outside world. Right. Because that's exactly the way you're supposed to handle it. And I don't know what was said. I don't know the altercation. It really doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter. If you are upset because you come out, you are disrespecting not only your coach, the player who came in for you. You're disrespecting your teammates. Chucky Lozano may be Chucky Lozano, but you're not Anders Dyer. You're not Lionel Messi. And if you were, I'll tell you what, you probably would have played that must win in the last day of regular season in decision day. We were here on this very network, on this very panel, when Chucky Lozano came to San Diego and we did an over-under.

44:19It was 14 and a half goals, over-under. I said, Chucky wouldn't get to 10. I was right by one. He did a lot better than I thought. He was injured, though. That's part of being a footballer. That's part of being a footballer. It's staying on the field. It's staying on the field. That context doesn't matter to the season ticket holder. It doesn't matter to the person who wanted to see Chucky Lozano on the final match day, and they said, nah, he's not going to be here because he's acting a fool. So it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. He has not fulfilled his end of the bargain. I guarantee you for$7.3 million, that front office is thinking, wow.

44:58But also to your point, Christina, I have no problem with a player being upset with being substituted. That's fine. Chucky Lozano is not the first to be upset. You'd rather that, right? He sure as hell won't be the last. But what happens from there on in? Vinicius Jr., to use the example that you made, you used, kind of kicks up a little bit of a sting. Javi Long just ignores him. That's fine. Do that. But as of right now, we don't know what Lozano did within the dressing room. We don't know what was said. We don't know how animated he got, how heated it was. But if he starts, I want to use a stronger way than questioning, questioning the authority of the manager or insulting players around him.

45:43Undermining the authority of the manager or insulting teammates. Then that's got to go. The line is well and truly crossed at that point. That goes beyond being upset and being substituted and even questioning that. And that is my fear with Chucky Lozano in this instance. Because being upset that you're being substituted, we've all kind of been there and all kind of acted out as a result. I agree, Shaq. I just think there's so much history with Chucky Lozano. Enric, the way he's acting around Madrid, he's a kid. The first time this has happened to him, he's a teenager. If this was a developmental player on the San Diego team who broke out and scored some goals and he was acting this way, I was like, okay, I kind of get it.

46:30You know, he'll learn his lesson. He's a 30-year-old man. He's a 30-year-old man who's been to World Cups, who's been the figurehead of the Mexican national team, who's been the most popular player in a program, and at San Diego was supposed to be the face. Mikey Varys handled this perfectly. I've got nothing to say about Mikey Varys. I'm actually very surprised, pleasantly surprised. Well, we'll see if Chucky Lozano is eventually included in San Diego's playoff run because it's been quite the run for them this season. Mike Ivaras making history already, not looking like a rookie in this league at all.

47:09I was going to say speaking of rookies, but nope. A lot of experience on ESPN FC available daily on ESPN+. Take that, Stevie. Aw, don't mess with Stevie. cluster only here for la quinta by wyndham summer means travel and for a lot of people that includes their four-legged mvp mine is a yellow lad named quinney but finding a hotel that actually welcomes pets can feel like striking out at la quinta by wyndham pet friendly stays are part of the game plan so you don't have to leave your best travel companion behind you can bring them along for every inning of the trip because the road is better when the whole team's together.

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48:58Prescription required. Always consult your doctor to determine if this product is right for you. All right, it's time to run it back. Starting Herc with Patrick Ajiman getting his third EFL championship assist. Yeah, if you were going to tell me Patrick Gaginan had a championship assist, that's exactly how I would have drawn it up. I was just using his strength, bulldozing players, and just very delicately given to the first option he sees. Very well done. He's not scoring goals, but he's doing all those little things that teammates just love. The goals are going to come. Yeah, as for Josh Sargent's Norwich City, it's not looking good there.

49:36Fighting, relegation, let's take it to the Champions League. Weston McKinney we saw him there eyes closed very concentrated played 90 minutes in the loss to Real Madrid Chuck yeah he said performance for McKinney and Juventus 14 loss to Real Madrid which on paper doesn't doesn't say an awful lot I still think Real Madrid have yet to hit their full stride disappointing defeat nonetheless they better hit it quick yeah yeah all right Let's take it to Sergino Dest for starters in this PSV dominating performance against Napoli. He played only six minutes, Herc. Well, he played six minutes because this knucklehead was late the day of the game.

50:17He was going to be a starter. Peter Bosch has rules. Like, come on. And this is exactly what he said. Sergino was late today, so he won't be playing. This isn't a difficult decision. We made agreements three years ago. Everyone has to abide by them, and so does he. Unfortunately, he didn't. If you're not on time, you know the consequences. Malik Tillman can speak to that, too. Not on my watch. Listen, Christmas is coming up here, so maybe it would be a great present to get him a nice, pretty alarm clock. Let's take it to Ricardo Pepe, though, also in this game here. Shaq, he scored his third goal in all competitions versus Napoli.

50:55Yeah, it's a good look for Ricardo Pepe. Timely Moreno finish from all of the yards. but he's taking it. Listen, I think it's a big year, not just for Ricardo Pepe, but for every player in that U.S. men's national team roster. That's one way to continue to announce itself to Mauricio Pochettino. Yeah, to keep putting that hand up for the ninth spot. Yeah, he had an assist as well coming off the bench. Listen, this game was over. I didn't recognize that version of Napoli. Not PSV's problem, not Ricardo Pepe's problem. Ricardo Pepe's problem is when he's on the field, he's got to make an impact.

51:31He's got to ask questions of players. So Peter Bosch says, okay, I have to get him on the field now because he is fit now. And if Peter Bosch is getting him on the field and he is fit, he's putting the ball in the back of the net. He's proven it for every club he's been to. Sansa, Ashbrook. But they would have their own questions about that. And with the U.S. Men's National Team, excuse me. When he comes off the bench, when he starts, that's who he's been. So if you're Ricardo Pepe, that's who you need to continue to be. Whatever you need to do to get the eye of Marisa Pochettino, because in this time, he's got a shiny new toy, Farrell and Balogun.

52:04In this time, Haji Wright is scoring goals. This is Ricardo Pepe. He's probably the most, I would say, disrespected striker that the U.S. Men's National League has had in the last four or five years because he scores goals. Because he is there for multiple coaches. And something always happens. Something always happens. Greg Verhalter doesn't take him to the World Cup. He gets injured with this coach. He comes back from injury. He scores a few goals. He leaves when he leaves for the national team for quite some time doesn't come back now He's got an opportunity, but there are other players performing.

52:35It's well within his reach well within his power Well within his power, but to a point about Ricardo Pepe over the last four five years for so long regarded as as that super star was the player to bring on the bench is to score goals Maybe that might be an asset and in one instance, but may may haunt you in another And right now, going into 2026, and you look at who Pochettino's called on, and more to the point, in this last window, last international window, the performances of Balogun. Hadji Wright. Even Ajay Mang, who... Ricardo Pepe is a better finisher than Ajay Mang, but he brings something different...

53:16Profile, yeah. ...than any of the other three. So you almost want to... you're almost encouraged to take Adjirman because he has that physical presence that you don't get from a Baligan or a Haji Wright or Ricardo Pepe, that you just get something different. And as a result, now all of a sudden Ricardo Pepe finds himself arguably third in Q, if not, again, because of the option of Adjirman fourth. And that's a difficult task. And in a short time to convince a coach that you're deserving of at least your place on the roster. I can absolutely see what Shaq is talking about. maybe many fans don't rate Patrick Gagiman, but you see the goal, he scores a Derby.

53:55It's literally hung up there, and he dunks on like two players. He's got a physical presence about him. And quite frankly, this is a World Cup. The U.S. Men's downstream is not going to be on the front foot with many teams. There may be a situation where you're down a goal, limited time, and you need to create something. You need to just get something in there. That different profile could be on the back of Mauricio Pochettino's mind. So Ricardo Pepe, it literally, as unfair as it seems, because he's always been there. He's always been contributing. He's against the clock right now. Yeah, and again, as unfair as it seems, it's hard to separate what we're seeing, a talented Ricardo Pepi, and the injury history that he's had in the last year too, Shaq, because it's a tight tournament.

54:35It's a short tournament, and you need your players to be... Sorry, you said the players can't be at 100%, but you need them to be very well near 100%. Correct, and available. You need to have them available, and in form, and scoring, well, for your strikers, and scoring goals. And while, yes, injuries is a part of this game, it's never a good time to get injured. You have to have that run of form. Because while, again, you know his talents, you know what he brings to the table, but until you can see that for yourself, on the field, for your team, Mauricio Pochettino has no option but to think elsewhere.

55:16Yeah, absolutely. He will have an opportunity to keep proving himself this weekend at the club level. A top table match in the Eredivisie Fire Nerd facing PSV Sunday 9.30 a.m. Eastern. You can watch that on ESPN Plus and streaming live on the ESPN app.

55:37And the countdown to El Clásico continues. Some mixed news here for Barcelona. Let's start with the good because Rafinha is expected to get the medical clearance for this weekend's clash after completing a couple of full training sessions. They're being sidelined for nearly a month. However, Frenkie De Jong didn't train today after what appeared to be a mild illness that prevented the midfielder from participating. Now, he hasn't been ruled out of the match, but they're obviously monitoring his situation very closely. Asked for his team at Marcus Rashford. He's ready to go and caught up with our Martin Einstein.

56:13Marcus, I see that you smile a lot. are you having a great time? Yeah, like anybody when I'm happy I'm smiling so I'm having a good time, I'm learning a lot and I would say as a team we are not even in our maximum yet so we have to keep pushing and try to improve every game, every day so we have to do this and then when we get there we have to stay at the top level So we have a lot left to do this season. I think it's been an OK start. But of course, this next game is a big opportunity to accelerate the process for us. So we are looking forward to this and like any game, we just try to get the job done and try to win.

57:01How many times have you dreamed about playing against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu with the FC Barcelona? No, I think for me it's the biggest game in football. It's a game that even for me, of course I'm from Manchester, it's not the biggest game in England or in Manchester. But even for me, from a young age, we are always watching El Clásico. If there's one game to watch, it's this game. And playing it? No, playing it is of course going to be an unbelievable experience. But for me it's about winning. To make the experience memorable, I have to try to help the team to win. So this is the main objective.

57:47Of course, it's a great team that we are playing against and they are in really good form. So it's not going to be easy, but we will give our best to win the game. Why is it that you have connected so well with the team, with the city, with the fans? I don't know what it is exactly, but for me, the change, I know it's a big change, but it doesn't feel so big. I think I've come here and I fit in well with the team. And even now I still don't speak the language full, so it's something that I'm still trying to learn and will also help the process of fitting in. You know what, I think you speak the language, you speak the language of football, the style, the teammates that you have.

58:32I have watched Barcelona, especially in the recent years, so many times and I always felt if I was to move, this team would be a perfect fit for me. So I'm happy I am here, but still we have objectives that we must hit and now to be with the group is a special feeling. But I hope we'll continue to get better.

58:58A great chat, as always, from our Martina inside there with Marcus Rashford. Let's take it to some odds and prop bets for any time score, you know, considering that. I have no idea what any of those numbers mean. OU's over-under. Well, that's letters. I don't know what the numbers mean. Well, that's the odds. Over-under is three and a half goals. Yes. was plus 105 Real Madrid. That means the odds of Real Madrid winning this game are plus 105. And for Barcelona, it's plus 210. So Real Madrid is more favored than Barcelona. So if I put a dollar in Real Madrid, what do I win? A dollar 05. Oh, okay.

59:36All right. I love the math lessons going on here. I don't know. I was there not too long ago. Trust me. I'm knee deep in it still. I have no idea. So it pays 3-1 for the draw? Yes. Yes. Yes. All right. All right. Okay. Let's take it to book it. Book it. Let's do it. Is it classical book it time? It is. All right. Well, I'm going to pick a parlay in this one. Okay. Oh, it's actually a very easy parlay. I am taking the over-under, but I'm going to take it at 2.5 goals, which is minus 330. There's a reason it's minus 330. It means it's heavily favored. And I'm going to take a Rashford, Marcus Rashford, anytime goal or assist at plus 115.

1:00:23You parlay that together, it's plus 134. There's a reason I'm taking Rashford. It's goal or assist. He was heavily criticized for his time in Manchester United, for his time in the UK, for a plethora of reasons. I think that has more to do with Manchester United, how toxic they are, than his actual ability. He has ability. He is a player that from the wing position or as a nine or as a withdrawn nine can make things happen. And he's got, get this, in league play and Champions League in 12 games, five goals, six assists. Rafinha, maybe a go. But there's a big difference between being medically cleared and match fit.

1:01:01So I think we're going to see a heavy dose of Marcus Rashford wherever he plays. And if anything, if I've learned anything in these games, is there's going to be goals. 16 goals. 16 goals in the last four Clásicos. So there's going to be a tendency for the over. Defensive issues with Barcelona. Defensive issues with Real Madrid. The inability to maybe win the big one with Xabi Alonso. The situation right now with Lamine and Hansi Flick. I think there's going to be fireworks. I think there's going to be goals. And I think Marcus Rashford gets one. Shaq? I think there's going to be a lot of goals in this game.

1:01:34For all the reasons that Higg just pointed out. Keep in mind you're talking about a Barcelona that play this suicidally high offside line. And Kylian Mbappe, one of the quickest players on the planet. In form. Not the Kylian Mbappe that we saw. at the very least in the first class to go last season, that just couldn't get his timing right. That Kylian Mbappe is long forgotten. He scored three goals in that game. Right? I mean, it was just so thin. And now he's got those timings better. He's playing with confidence, as much confidence as we've seen Kylian Mbappe for quite some time. And a very attack-minded Real Madrid, who ever since Hansi Flick arrived, their philosophy pretty much has been, we're going to try to outscore you.

1:02:14So for me, I think if I'm looking for a bet out of this one, it is about the number of goals, and I go quite heavily on that. In terms of who wins it, I make Real Madrid very narrow favorites, probably because it's at the Bernabeu. Other than that, I think these are two very good teams making for a classic, classic goal. I wanted to stay away from who's going to win it because I... You can't stay away. At least tell us. You know that question. I'm not asking you to put your mortgage on it. No, no, no, no. Trust me. There's no more to put on it. But the thing is, Shaq, you just said it. Barcelona just won the last four.

1:02:57Before that, who had won the last four? You know, it goes back and forth. If you look at the overall history of these two, if Barcelona wins again 4-0, everything will be tied. Goals scored. Goals against. Wins. Draws. Everything's going to be even. And that's how evenly matched this series has been. I just think there's so many variables leading into this. Shaq highlighted that insane suicidal high line by Barcelona. And you saw Olympiacos give them fits. Frivile's are starting to figure it out. 60th minute. There was maybe a second yellow that shouldn't have been a second yellow. That's what I'm saying.

1:03:30That was the worst kind of season in life. And you're playing a man up. And then there's a foul that Marcus Rashford draws where I thought it was him trying to make more contact and the actual goalie making contact that I wouldn't have called as a penalty. I digress. They ended up winning, but Olympiacos caused them fits. And then you see Real Madrid in this very much Jekyll and Hyde situation where they're not necessarily convinced at times against the Getafes of the world. And you've got Vinny concentrating on other things. You've got Xavi with the narrative that he can't win the big one. I don't want to touch this.

1:04:01I really don't want to touch it. I have no idea which way it's going to go. All I do know is there's going to be goals. You don't want to, like, lean maybe towards one or the other. I'm going to lean towards Barcelona because history has shown me that Hansi Flick understands this. And I'm going to go with the experienced coach here. And the experienced coach is Hansi Flick. And his players from a very young age in La Masia have understood what it's like to play against that white jersey. There are not a lot of new elements on this team for Real Madrid that I don't necessarily know if they have that.

1:04:33And I would have felt more comfortable if not for Xabi Alonso, tinkering the way he did in Champions League versus Juventus and taking Artigula out of that natural position where he was thriving with Mbappe. So I'm a little hesitant there. Yeah, it'll be interesting to see because we know that Kylian Mbappe has met the moment several times but as both of you mentioned was called back because of that Barcelona high line. But we'll be able to see what happens this week and our coverage of El Clásico. Real Madrid versus Football Club Barcelona Sunday 11 15 a.m. Eastern our coverage beginning at 10 a.m.

1:05:09Eastern on ESPN plus ESPN2 and the ESPN app. I don't know where to lean with the with the Clasico as well because it's it's it's a Clasico but I'm leaning a little more towards Barcelona. Xabi Alonso is still getting that really tough experience. Fancy Bernabeu. It was at the Bernabeu last season. Yeah, good points. Good points. I'm just saying, with Aquila Nbappé, who is doing great, so his teammates now have to meet the moment with him. Let's see who plays. If Asensio's playing on the right-hand side or in the center back position, I'll bet you're out. Anything can happen. We'll talk about it Monday on Football Americas.

1:06:14Good energy in. Good energy out.

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