Danny

tbh Di Vaio is a good striker. He's not *the* most prolific of all times, but in his career at Juve and Valencia he's known the way to goal. But £4M seems a tad excessive.

I suppose the worst part of this is he's gone squealing to the Sun to defend himself. Absolutey no class, and not the right way to go about things.

On the surface yes, but he's received reds before for violent conduct so it's by no means an isolated incident.

It was a moment which will haunt him for the rest of his days. It's hard to have sympathy for him because it was just lunacy. As soon as I saw the replay I just hoped justice would be done and a red card issued. I wonder how the French will feel when they hear/read the truth.

Truth is Colsh, we know nothing, and any suggestions about comments Marco might have made are little more than conjecture. All we know for sure is he put his arms around ZZ, ZZ walked away, they appeared to exchange words, ZZ grinned, then went further ahead before turning around and charging him. Unless either of them come out and talk about the moments leading up to the incident, speculating about what they might have said is completely futile. I've even heard a mad rumour that ZZ was on something, and got the red to avoid being drug tested by FIFA. Most likely a crazy rumour, but it all is just futile conjecture.

I'm disappointed in Ricksen. I thought he was a reformed character season before last, but last season he went back on the rough, and then PLG came in and he had a clean slate and a chance to make amends and return to the scene. He's made an ass of himself now apparently, and it shows PLG is a strict disciplinarian who operates a no tolerance policy. It shows a clear message to the rest of the players about what is expected and will make them understand what's at stake. I think we may have seen the last of Ricksen.

Like I said, I was dreaming. It's just that he wasn't really a first pick for the Argies and he's in a lower league so...y'know...

It makes you a showboater, not a bad footballer. It was to make a point that as an England (Hate Portugal) and Chelsea (Hate Man Utd) supporter, you're not the best person to judge Ronaldo. You despise his cheating yet you're not condemning Robben and Drogba for similar crimes. You seem to imply Ronaldo's less than a very good player. That's just not correct. I'm just suggesting that your dismissal of his talent is based on not very much besides your partiality against him. Because even a blind man knows Rooney's a player. No offence. None of this is intended as offensive, and certainly isn't personal. It's just a debate and I apologise if you're taking it offensively.

Can't say the replays showed that.

That's probably the most colourful game of the tournament, for good reasons and bad. First of all Materazzi gives away a dodgy penalty which Zidane is excruciatingly lucky to score, then Materazzi scores with a bullet header. Cue chances for both teams and end to end football, before possibly the most absurd moment I've ever seen on a football pitch. Even seeing the replay wasn't believing - it was absolutely astounding. Obviously the right decision was reached but of course the French fans weren't to know what their icon had done and roundly booed the Italians. It was probably the most memorable moment of any football game in the last decade, for all the wrong reasons. A great football icon, in his last ever match, has the chance to win the world cup and instead bows out in absolute disgrace. It doesn't really matter what Materazzi said to him, what he did was assault and in *that* of all games...well it's inexcusable. Italy looked absolutely shattered in ET and ended up at walking pace. Anyway, off to penalties we go and both teams took them well actually, and I feel a touch of sympathy for Trezeguet for missing but at least he's won both the world cup and the European Championships. The Italians have recently won nothing. Anyway, that game will be remembered for one incident more than the result. Which is a real shame.

Purely, purely speculative thread this, because there's really no chance of us getting him, but I just thought I'd dream a little. On our side: he is currently in Brazil for Corinthians so he's not yet been snapped up by a big European club. So is there even an outside chance of us putting in a bid for him? He really, really impressed me during the WC - probably the best displays I saw by any striker - looked hungry, tricky on the ball, gifted with the pass. Just brilliant imo. Do you think a sneaky �£5M bid would steal him?

You know, for £40K I'd go for it. It's a lot of cash but he's world class imo.

It's hard to say any defender can light up a world cup. Good defending is admirable but not what people look for when it comes to the highlights. He's been the best 'player' for sure, but he's not really lit the tournament up because it's not his job to do that sort of thing. That's left to the Kakas, Riquelmes, Ronaldos etc. And the majority of them let themselves down.

Colshy's clearly a big fan of young Ronnie

<Cracks knuckles> Did you take a single breath there None of your points really prove him a poor player, just a poor sportsman. I suspect if he played for Chelsea you'd be more lenient. So, that said, feel free to do a 7 point condemnation of Robben and Drogba... If he is so bad, why is he a regular for Portugal? Why has he had a very good world cup (Excluding the bad side)? Why has Capello, one of the best coaches in the game, gone on record as saying he really likes him? Do you think he's an idiot? I completely accept his personality is not the best and he does have unsporting tendencies, but to say he's an inneffective player is ignorant at best and downright biased against Man Utd and Portugal at worst. No offence.

Aye, hence why my edit realising my error was pretty much instant

I think they're all excellent. Just wish this forum allowed us to use such sigs.

There are only 2! I thought she was referring to the Michelin Man.

I wouldn't say any one superstar has had a brilliant world cup. You have a fair point there. There have been a lot of let downs in this world cup. I'll be watching him and Sheva with great interest next season. Agreed.

It's singularly down to that. With Koller in tow they would have made the latter stages if not the final. He's not the greatest striker but they need him for their system. Aye, Australia were quite impressive. As were Ghana - did very well indeed. So did the Ivory Coast and were unlucky to be given the group they got.

My thoughts on Henry are clear, but how was Ronaldo guilty of anything? EDIT: ah, that one

Haha, it won't last Jon

Totally. Been poor throughout and his antics against Spain were just despicable. He's in the running based on his form for Arsenal, not for France.

Totally agree - he had a dreadful tournament. Him and Adriano were huge let downs.

It amazes me that Henry's in the running...