Stars To Watch At The World Cup

21:29Is Vinny Jr. the man to take them back to that? If he concentrates on the football and stops play acting and behaving poorly and at times blaming the referee and blaming the opposition and blaming teammates for not giving him the ball. He is a very, very good player. We know that. He's got pace. We talk about trickery. We talk about his goal scoring. He can link up the play, but he quite often makes poor decisions. And you can tell early on in the game whether he's going to play well or whether he's not. And it's all to do with his mental approach to the game. And that's what he's got to get absolutely right.

21:58Luis says that he's got to feel love. It's not about feeling love for him. It's about him doing the right things for himself and doing the right things for the team. Too many times he doesn't do that. when he's on his game, when he's focused and playing properly, he's an outstanding player. Now, we talk about different players who, when they put on their country shirt, like a James Rodriguez, just become a completely different superhero. If you do look at Vinny Jr.'s numbers for club and country, they're just different. His numbers for Brazil, of course, are nowhere near to what he does for Real Madrid Xhaka.

22:27So how do you feel about this and what are you expecting from him?

22:30Frank Leboeuf:To your question, Vinicius Jr. has the talent, has the potential to be that shining light for Brazil. But at times, this yellow shade has been a little bit heavy. He, for me, has been earmarked as the heir apparent to Neymar. Yet, you have not been able to see that in World Cup qualifying. Throughout the majority of Commonwealth qualifying, he has not been, particularly in Antite. Things have improved under Carlo Ancelotti. Maybe enough to see him be that leading light for Brazil this tournament. But I still have serious reservations as to whether he can carry that shirt, whether he can carry the expectations of Brazil.

23:09Right. Well, we are counting down to the World Cup. But best believe there's still some club football going on over in La Segunda. This is for promotion to La Liga. All the matches are available on ESPN. And here are how things stand after the semifinals. And the second leg, you can catch them today at 3 p.m. as well as tomorrow on ESPN+. Well, they're the two biggest names in world football. And now they're hoping to make even more history. We're talking Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo next.

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25:13Welcome back. And there's some more warm-up games going on before the World Cup officially kicks off on our network. Argentina, the world champions up against Iceland. That's 9 p.m. tonight, Eastern Time on ESPN. Lionel Messi, what more can we say about the Argentine magician? He has finally won a World Cup at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a moment that everybody around the world in the sport felt that he deserved to just add a cherry on top of what would have been already a storied career. but he's still kicking, and now he's heading into a record sixth World Cup. Luis, we had to dig through the archives, but you have known Leo for a long, long time from your days at Barcelona as well.

25:57Did you always know that he would become this much of an icon? Look at those two fresh-faced youngsters.

26:06Alejandro Moreno:No, not really, Alexis, not really. Definitely, that's a beautiful picture that I got with him when he just joined the tour. We were doing an Asian tour with Barcelona, and he was just a kid, a fantastic kid, very quiet, very shy, who joined with only 16 years old, the team, who did well. I think he scored three goals in that season tour. And I left to Liverpool in his state and I was in talks with Eusebio, he was the second coach for Frank Rijkaard back then in Barcelona and he was telling me the kid is unbelievable, the kid is very good, the team is improving, he's got only one thing he said, that is scoring goals every single training.

26:46Alejandro Moreno:Well, the rest is history. I think we witnessed something really special. There are always players who come from the academy, who join the first team in my generation. I did three pre-sessionals before to play for Barcelona first team, and we were around seven, eight players coming from the second team and under 18. And a lot of them, they didn't make it, and we were lucky enough to see Lionel Messi make it to the top to become probably the best player in the history of this sport. And lucky enough to see him lifting a trophy, like the World Cup that I think it was the missing one and everyone wanting because the comparison with the big ones, with Pelé and, of course, with Diego Maradona, he was always there.

27:28Alejandro Moreno:He managed to do it, managed to do it in style. And now we're still watching him play, scoring, assisting at the MLS. And I think the people are really happy to have him once again at the World Cup because he always provides something different. Yeah, let's enjoy him while we have him. And Shaq, I mean, as we said, Messi has nothing else to prove. He has already won a World Cup as well. He's into a record 6th one now. What kind of expectations should we and Argentina be putting on him?

27:51Frank Leboeuf:None, in all honesty. Play for fun. It's not for fun when we're talking about the World Cup and we're talking about Messi stepping on the part. But I felt the kind of emotion, the sentiment around four years ago in his fifth tournament, still hadn't won a World Cup. It felt very different from how it does this time around. Now he's left European football, playing here in Major League Soccer, and a world champion. And with that, it almost feels as though he's playing with house money, compared to how it was four years ago, which has its own issues, allowing Lionel Messi that kind of freedom to play with all that kind of weight of expectation.

28:31Frank Leboeuf:You know, you can figure out whether MLS is high enough a level or not, he'll soon prove it. But it allows Argentina and multi-point Lionel Messi to go into this tournament knowing that there isn't that same expectation. There isn't that same pressure. They are one of the seeded teams. That provides them at least a clearer route through to the semifinal. And from there, as we all know, at this level, it's anybody's game. There's no question that Argentina are talented enough. Let's see if they can go as far this time around. Well, you know, we can't talk about one and not the other. So we're talking about Messi.

29:09Let's talk about Cristiano Ronaldo. Because when we're having the debates about the goats of this modern day era, it usually comes down to these two. And what always does set Messi apart too is the fact that he has won that World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, Robbo, has won a Euros with Portugal, but it still does not compare to winning a World Cup. So Cristiano Ronaldo, what do you expect from him for Portugal this season? I expect him to be a box player, which he's been for the last eight or nine years now. He's still good in the air. He's still a decent finisher. Can he make runs down the side of defenders?

29:41No, he can't. Can he beat players in 1v1 situations? Not very often these days. He's become an out-and-out centre forward who just likes to score goals and gets himself in the right positions. I saw him a few years ago when he went to Juventus and that was the decline of Juventus because they had to play. He never really worked hard enough without the ball and with the ball. He became a box player and the team had to be built around him And that's what Portugal have to do. So if you're looking between the two players, Messi, in my view, has far more to offer than Ronaldo. Luis, do you agree with that?

30:15How much do you think Cristiano Ronaldo can offer Portugal this summer?

30:20Alejandro Moreno:Yeah, I agree 100%. I think that we've been following a little bit how he's been playing in Saudi. You can see the amount of goals that he provides. Of course, without any kind of work, I think the Saudis are still developing lately. They got good teams, but the rhythm of the competition is nothing to do with MLS. The strength, the intensity is not even there. So I think it's going to be quite difficult for Roberto Martinez when he has to choose the 11-0 start. How he's got the intention of playing Cristiano Ronaldo as a number nine because I think that is the only position where you can use him.

30:55Alejandro Moreno:You can use him in the wide areas because 1v1 is not going to be the Ronaldo that we all knew. and being inside of the box is always dangerous, good in the air. It's very quick on finishing, very good finishing. But I think that the way that Portugal wants to play, I think it's going to be more important than something that can add to the game. So we'll have to wait and see what he can deliver to Portugal. But right now I see Lionel Messi adding more things to Argentina than Cristiano Ronaldo. And we are talking only about the field. Well, I tell you what, Xhaka Hislav hates to see Cristiano Ronaldo coming because Cristiano scored on you, hasn't he, Shaka?

31:31Frank Leboeuf:That was a long time ago, though. But Cristiano's still playing. Why are you sitting here cozy in a studio in a jacket and tie? Without causing too much rest to me. Did you see him walk into the studio? That's why. Maybe he should be as well. Oh, Shaka. But to that point, he's seen his best years. And this is in no disrespect to one of the greatest goal scorers this game has ever seen. But he's been on the decline for some time. Substituted more times than not four years ago. And now four years on, do I trust Roberto Martinez to make those strong decisions that Fernando Santos did four years ago?

32:03Frank Leboeuf:No. And unless that is managed and managed well, that can prove the undoing of an otherwise very talented Portugal team. Do you know what? I think it's an honor to have Cristiano Ronaldo score on you, Xhaka. So I think you deserve a medal for that one. Well, OK then. All right. Well, there's plenty more ESPN FC coming your way tonight. There you have it. Dan Thomas will be back in the hot seat alongside Julian Laurenz, Craig Burley and Juergen Klinsmann will be joining them. When you're at work, you never know when you're going to get interrupted, like when an office fire drill happens right in the middle of your presentation or constructions going on just outside your window.

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33:42For your next home project, try Thumbtack. They know homes. Hire the right pro today. Since his arrival in Germany, Harry Kane has been having a party. Kane and oh! Magnificent! Inevitable. You just know what he can do and what he does for Bayern time and time and time again.

34:06Frank Leboeuf:His movement, his attitude, he's everywhere on the pitch.

34:10Alejandro Moreno:It hasn't taken him long to become a Bayern Munich legend.

34:15That's right. In just a few short seasons, Harry Kane is indeed a Bayern Munich legend. He's coming off of a phenomenal season where not only has he found the back of the net many a times, but he's also helped create a lot of goals that led Bayern to yet another Bundesliga title. They did, however, fall short in the Champions League. I know that that one stings, but right now, Robbo, it's all about Harry Kane and England. He's a leader. He helps to create. He also bangs in those goals. Is he England's most important player? Of course he is because he's a centre forward that doesn't always play in the centre forward role.

34:48So it means, again, you've got to build a team around him. You've got to have players running beyond him. He's a player that links up the play, comes short and hits those big cross field passes. And if you look at his actual assets or attributes, he's not particularly quick. He's not a great header of the ball in terms of jumping above people. He's not going to make big runs down the side of defenders, but what he has got is great technique, great awareness, and he's a very good finisher. And more often than not, he's a good character as well. And that's what he brings to England. He brings the all-round centre-forward play, dropping short, creating opportunities, scoring goals, but also leading the team.

35:24Hurricane still was able to lead England quite far in last year's tournament, Xhaka, as well. But what's different this year that you feel that he can take them one step further?

35:34Frank Leboeuf:I think his game continues to evolve. Harry Kane, without questions, as those stats would show, one of the best goal scorers in the game today, if not the best goal scorer in the game today. But what he also does for Bayern Munich is he has this ability to drop off deep, to involve his wingers, whether it's Olyse or Luis Diaz or Sané. The playmaking ability of Harry Kane, I don't think any other goal scorer is able to match. And as a result, he gives defenders a lot of problems in terms of how do you mark him? Do you track him? Do you pass him on to midfield? Whether England have those midfielders that Bayern Munich can rely on, I'm not as certain.

36:20Frank Leboeuf:So whether he'll be as effective in dropping off into those pockets, again, I'm not sure. But he certainly, without question, has that ability. All right, well, we're going to welcome in back our World Cup winner in Frank Leboeuf, because we're going to talk about yet another striker, and that is Norway's Erling Haaland. He knows how to find the back of the net for Manchester City. Just have a look at the silly numbers that he's able to put up. But Frank, if we're comparing him with Harry Kane, who would be a bigger headache for you to defend?

36:53Hard choice. I would say that Erling Haaland is a typical striker and for 90 minutes you know you're going to suffer, you're going to have to fight for 90 minutes. Where Kane can not disappear but he will go a little bit downer on the field to distribute and to organize the game because he's more technical. I think technically it's harder to cope with Kane because he has all the tools needed. He can be using a lot of fitness to score a goal. He's very clever on everything. Where Alan will go for it and as a real Viking, you know, will show his strengths and his power. That's what it is. They are absolutely exceptional players, both of them.

37:46But I would say that I would be more worried about Kane and knowing where he can stand, where he can go, what he could do, where you exactly know what you're going to face when you play Erling Haaland, a big fight. Yeah, Robert, you talk so much about the different layers to Harry Kane's game that we're, a lot of us, commoners are seeing now, but you said it's always existed. So does that give him the edge if we compare him to Haaland? Totally different players. And Frank's just said it. Now, I think Haaland can be the best sender forward in the world because I mentioned that Harry Kane hasn't got attributes like pace and real strength, whereas Haaland has.

38:20Haaland is dynamic over the first 10 yards. If the ball comes into him, he's got the strength to hold people off. He can make runs down the side. But I've been disappointed with him at Manchester City. Yes, he's scored lots of goals, but I want to see more. I want to see more of his all-round ability. When I watched him play for Borussia Dortmund, he was unstoppable at times because he was involved in the play. Because Man City go wide and they don't pass it forward quite enough, He hasn't looked so dynamic in lots of the games. And he has to wait for the ball to be played into the box. If Norway play to his strengths and get the ball into him quickly and play the ball down the side of him, he can be the best centre forward in the world.

38:58There's no question about that.

38:59Frank Leboeuf:I think a part of the frustrations with Erling Haaland matches the City. It's just how they play. And more to the point, how Pep Guardiola wants him to play. There are times a couple of seasons ago where Erling Haaland would drop deep to try and get on the ball. and Pep Guardiola pushing back up alongside the centre-halves. And as a result, you see some games where he's got less than 10 touches. He might have three or four goals, but he's got less than 10 touches on the ball. And I think that is frustrating to him. It's frustrating to neutrals like us who want to see him. Who knows? He can drop off into those half spaces and then run into the channels and use that pace that he has.

39:39Frank Leboeuf:Also, again, how Man City play. Sometimes it's a little bit slow. It's not overly on the counterattack. And that just kind of limits the room that Erling Haaland can run into to exploit. All right. Well, we can't really give pre-tournament photo shoots the World Cup trophy. But if I could, I would give it to Norway because they went all out. Look at this, man. They absolutely led into their Viking history. and they had all of them dress up. Frank, you love to dress up. So how do you rate this one? I'm so envious, you know, because of the hair. You want to be a Viking? I would love to have those hair.

40:19I'm a Viking and my origins are Viking. I'm a Viking. I'm from north of France. I'm from Normandy and we're all Viking. Viking came to invade north of France and they went until Paris and then they came back north. But I'm a Viking, But I don't have the face of a real Haaland, you know, Viking with her long hair and everything. Face of a killer. At the same time, you love the guy. The guy is handsome like that. It's a beautiful picture. Beautiful picture. I love it. It's a brilliant picture. As far as pre-tournament photo shoots go, I think Norway have won that one. And look, it's their first time back in the World Cup since 1998.

40:54I would go all out as well. Robbo, you liked it. I liked it. I'd like to see Frank in a wig like that. That would be great, wouldn't it? You should do that. Frank, you have a lot of costumes. Surely as an actor, he has to put makeup on and wigs on and all sorts of things. Exactly. You know, they tried on the movie, The Theory of Everything. They tried to, they shaved my beard and they put me a wig. I have a picture. And really, when I saw the picture, I said, wow, my mother. Strange feeling. So, and they decided, so, no, no, what? Go bald. That's all right. Go bald. Don't wear a wig. That doesn't work.

41:30In case anybody's wondering. Leave me alone. In case anybody's wondering, Frank, LaBeouf can not only win World Cups, but he also moonlights as an actor, and he was in The Theory of Everything. So check him out, indeed. Something else that you guys should check out is the new Gab and Jules show because they have not one but two World Cup previews available now. You might want to grab some coffee before you listen to them. All right, we're going to take another quick break, but when we come back, I will get the guys' predictions on who they think will be the player of the tournament.

42:10Welcome back to ESPN FC. NWSL goes on a bit of a break, but we'll be back on July 5th on our network with this matchup, Boston Legacy up against Bay FC. That's July 5th, 12 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN. future spotlight is brought to you by draft king sports

42:34all right well if you have a look at some of the recent fifa world cup golden ball winners as player of the tournament you can see them right here oliver khan back in 2002 probably the only goalkeeper in that one and then of course no surprise leonel messi winning it twice in 2014 and 2022. Luka Modric in 2018. What an absolute legend. All right, so just a reminder that this is not the golden boot for who scores the most goals. Of course, that's why Oliver Kahn is there. It is who is the best player of the tournament. And now it's time for predictions. We're going to welcome back Frank LaBeouf and Luis Garcia because we're going to get predictions from the guys as to who they think will be the best player when it's all said and done at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

43:21Shall we start with my boy, Frank Leboeuf? World Cup winners go first, I suppose. So, Frank, who is your best player? Well, right now, before the competition, there is no doubt for me that Michael Elyse has to be predicted the best player of that next World Cup. And I really wish him to do so because the talent that he showed this season and even the season before puts him easily for the favorites of that competition. All right, so Frank is going for Michael. He's biased. I mean, France are one of the favorites. And Olisse, we all love watching him, don't we? I think that's a solid pick. I'm kind of jealous because I also low-key would have put him.

44:02But now I'm going to change things up. Luis Garcia, what say you?

44:08Alejandro Moreno:This might shock you a little bit, but I think that I'm going to pick Lamine Jamal. Oh! Right now one of the young players. Countrymen sticking with their countrymen. I'm not a certain trend here. Fias again. Fias. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Two very popular people. Listen guys, I think that it's totally fair to say that he is in a great moment, fantastic season. And the most important, that break that I think allowed him to rest and to arrive to the World Cup in perfect form. And surrounded by so much quality. Pedro, Thubimendi, Fabian. A fantastic two fullbacks that I think that La Fuente is going to give him the option to don't come back that much and be sharp and fresh for attacking with Llorente and Pedro Porro.

44:52Alejandro Moreno:So I think that La Millamale is going to be there at least fighting to be the best player of this World Cup. All right. So both of them sticking with their countrymen.

45:01Frank Leboeuf:You've got to go for an Englishman now. Obviously. I know. Well, Xhaka in my country did not qualify for this World Cup. one, one, one, Shaka, in the absence of Trinidad and Tobago, you have to choose another country. So which one of these will be your player of the tournament? All right. I will join Frank in going with Michael Olysee, who I think at the end of this tournament. You need to put him on your own thing. Is that what it works? All right, over there. I thought I had to put him on there. All right. You're really following Frank. Yeah, I've been practicing that for about 15 minutes before the show.

45:34Shaka's getting on in age. technology and Shaka. But anyways, you're going with Michael Alise.

45:40Frank Leboeuf:Yes, I think this tournament, Olysses, if he hasn't already, establishes himself as the best midfielder in world football. I think if France go all the way, Olysses has a big role to play in that. And again, my play of the tournament. Well, we're talking about, everybody's talking about tricksters and players that can go past people and score. That's always important, but you need a midfield player that's going to run the game. And I've seen him a lot over the last couple of years and particularly last season. Who I think is the best central midfield player in the world who can dominate games, can see a pass, can close the ball down as well, can run with it and create goals.

46:18It has to be Pedri. He's had his injury problems beforehand, but I think he's a player like Luka Modric, who is always a world-class player. Pedri can do the same for Spain. Luis, what do you make of Robbo's pick of Pedri? Because I know you definitely respect this player a lot too.

46:38Alejandro Moreno:Yeah, of course. I mean, what can we say about Pedri? I think LaMilla Mal can be the best player in the world having him next to him. So it could be either of these players because he cannot give you something different on the midfield. He controls the game, the tempo, ability to arrive. And I think he's going to have more options to get into the box in this World Cup with Rodri and to be mainly just holding his back with Fabian. And so I think the Pedri has something to say on this World Cup, too. I mean, are we all saying a France versus Spain final then? It kind of looks like that.

47:09Frank Leboeuf:Where are you going, Alexis? Well, do you know what? I had Michael Alise, and I thought because everyone was going to go with them, Bappes, La Minha, Malz, maybe even throwing a Messi, just because Messi's Messi, let's be honest. Come on, stick to your ideas. Do you know what? You're right, Frank. If you want Michael Alise, yeah. Do you know what? I'm going to give our favorite Ninja Turtle in Kylian Mbappé as the best one of the tournament because I think that absolutely what we saw from him at the 2022 World Cup final, the way he was able to put France on his back, especially at what was still a young age, I think that must burn him that they just fell short on penalties.

47:47I think he'll be back. We already know he's capable of finding the back of the net, of being that talisman. I love me some Olisse, but you know what? I'm going with Kylian Mbappé. Hey. You got me a little... No, I don't like the cheek. You don't like the cheek. We already won the World Cup. France won the World Cup. Yeah, if we look at this, it could be 3-2. 3-2. I was going to go with Lamine, but Luis as well said it. Anyways, remember last time I told you that Frank Leboeuf could not just win World Cups, but he also acts. And this is Frank in the theory of everything. Frank, this is where they have to shave you from head to toe.

48:21What? Exactly. And I'm facing Felicity Jones. that was quite something. It's when I have to stop, you know, Stefano King to suffer. That Swiss doctor who decided to stop the machine, but his wife said no. So she was right. She was right. The guy has been a fantastic scientist. And I had the chance to play that doctor, that silly doctor who wanted to stop. All right. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. This is where we make your dreams come true. Frank said he had the hair of early fella. He wanted to be a Viking. So, Frank, we have made your dream come true. You are officially an ESPN FC Viking. All right. Well, have a look at what's coming your way on ESPN FC tomorrow.

49:12We had to reach through the archives. Who are all those people? With the likes of another World Cup winner, Juergen Kinsman, Stevie Nichols, Stuart Robson, who used to have hair, as well as Ale Moreno. That's it for this edition of ESPN FC. Join us again later on this evening and tomorrow. Thank you for hanging with us. Bye for now.

49:34Good energy in. Good energy out.

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