Messi, Zabaleta, Aguero, Crespo and more, experienced and young, a mix of football talent that is always guaranteed to result in exciting matches and wowing World Cup crowds. Could this be their year? They play in a tough group, but it is hard to imagine the QFs without this lineup. Isn’t it?
203775
In terms of talent, Argentina is competitive with any nation in the world (including Brazil).  However, they will not win.  I have two words to explain why they will not win:  Jose Pekerman.\n\nThe guy is clueless.  Argentina need to develop a tactical scheme that includes both Aimar and Riquelme.  They should play a 4-3-3 deploying both Pablo and Roman as playmakers with Mascherano protecting the backline.  Crespo should be upfront and young Messi and Carlitos on the wings.\n\nI think that front six is better than anyone else in the world.  However, we all know that Pekerman does not have enough sense to deploy that lineup in that formation.\n\nInstead, we will be treated to the likes of Diego Placente and Esteban Cambiasso in the starting lineup.  Being that Argentina got screwed again in being drawn in the Group of Death, I am not convinced they will even escape their group.  With a proper manager who gets his tactics correct, I would probably favour them to win it all, but they won't so long as Peker-head is the coach.
607841
In the current Argentina squad, there  are three players with English teams; Crespo of Chelsea, Heinze of Manchester United, and Scaloni of Wet Ham.\n\nCrespo and Heinze are doing well, but Scaloni has just been released by West Ham after a disappointing season.
83118
No doubt brazil will be the hottest favourtie but don't forget about germany the host! They're strong once in the finals. Remember last world cup? They're mediocre in the qualifying rounds but fought to the final but lost 2-0 to brazil. Italy ain't bad also and watch out for argentina with lionel messi as their new engineer. These are the 4 potential winners, i believe.
266366
they all great players\n\nPele
339373
Been watching Arsenal since 1972, been to over 400 games, so I've seen a few players. The best? Attitude, commitment and skill have always done it for me so it's Steve Williams, Paul Davis, David Rocastle, Anders Limpar, Ian Wright, Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira, Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn, Stewart Robson, Charlie George, Kenny Sansom, Pat Rice, Sammy Nelson, Liam Brady, Lee Dixon, David Seaman, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Martin Keown, Peter Storey, Peter Simpson, Michael Thomas, Graham Rix, David O'Leary, Jimmy Rimmer, Willie Young, Alan Ball, George Armstrong, Frank McLintock, Charlie Nicholas, Dennis Bergkamp, Nelson Vivas, Remi Garde, Paul Merson, Brian Marwood, Silvinho, Gilles Grimandi, Alan Smith, Jens Lehmann, Kolo Toure, I could go on forever, so there's some names to discuss!
217162
I have the luck to live in Spain, and Barcelona is my team, so I'm more than happy to have messi, etoo and ronaldhino in "my" team. watching the guy play is a real treat, and seen the fact that he's only 18 years old, the future looks good :) he, etoo and ronaldhino play what we like to call "samba football", but something messi has extra, is that he plays a top league game like he was playing with his friends in his backyard. :)
617889
You know, I think Portugal is jinxed. Even when they reached the Euro finals against Greece, they went ahead to lose. They are not likely going to break this duck now. Other countries are playing superbly too. Argentina for starters, will prove too good for them, especially that Messi will be fit to play.
514756
Well, he's definitely someone to watch on the pitch... Now, he will be group along with the brightest young star such as Rooney, C.Ronaldo and  L. Podolski. He's very good but he can be even better in future days. I guess be will be a star in Barcelona and also the 2010 Argentinian World Cup team!!
171825
The most under rated football team in the world would have to be Villarreal they are already in the champions league semi-final and although at this time are 1-0 down in aggregate, they are skill full, passionate and smart. With players like Sorin, Riqulme and Mari. First year in Europe and already in the Champions league semi's. The team with the cities population barely reaching 50,000 are a joy to watch.  And yes they are no Real Madrid, or Barcelona but La Liga is a joy to watch because of them.  Wait in a couple of years they will be a team not to mess with. They made Forlan one of the best strikers in Spain, and after the way he played in Manchester United I thought that would of never happened. Their will be more to come from this club, just wait and see.
565403
If you could elaborate, is that four strict strikers across the top? What do you see as the right combination of players using anyone in today's game? It seems your 2 in the middle would have to be tireless jackrabbit types.\n\nI get it, sort of like a forward diamond instead of Sven's midfield diamond. I could see Chelsea doing this. I hate them, but they have the best players.\nAnd they did sort of do this last year with Drogba forward, Robben and Duff on each side, but Gudjonsen didn't really play like a defensive forward I think how you envision, but he could, with Lampard attacking and Makalele holding.\n Maybe next year they could look like this...\n\n\n                     Drogba\n\n\nShevchenko              Ballack        Lampard    Essien                             back four\n\n\n                    Robben
555419
Juan Requelme, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez, Juan Sorin, Javier Saviola\n\nThis is my 5 picks that will help the team go far playing at the World cup level.
212637
i think cristiano ronaldo is the most talented young player. he will be one of the best footballers the world will ever see. and i think HE IS HOT!!
573558
over rated team... portugal...every year people come out screaming for them but no results..france also just this years team...under rated team....Ecuador...2 wins and dont see many week spots... over rated player...  del piero from italy...just dosent seem to impress me and under rated player kaka from brazil... teams defence have troble with brazil because of amazing stikers and midfielders including kaka who scored and amazing goal and just does what he has to do every game and you also never see him have a bad game...cheers
581987
Far too early to tell, but African teams will have their best ever chance.\n\nNigeria has a very young squad now, they'll mature over the next 4 years and provide a stiff test in 2010.\nArgentina's golden generation will have their final shot in 2010.
656002
It's group E\nItaly - always a powerhouse and looking mighty strong right now.\nCzech - runners up in Euro 04\nUSA - winner of concacaf finishing ahead of seeded Mexico and quarterfinalist in 02\nGhana - Has Essien from Chelsea that helped lead them past strong South African and Congo sides to qualify for the cup.\n\nThree of these teams had a case for being seeded in this cup and if they had they would all be favorites to go through.\n\nWhile the Ivory Coast is strong and can make a case and might get through I don't think the group is nearly as tough especially with S&M as the 4th team.
131290
Not over yet, there are still great players who have passed the 30's year mark and are still strong and mostly better than the youngsters out there, such as Berkamp, Romario, Maldini, Cafu, Serginho, Shearer (recently retired), Zidane, Ronaldo, etc.\nThey shouldn't retire, but indeed, they should be expected and able to take a bench some games without throwing a fit now and then
468909
Have you ever actually put yourself in their situation??? Obviously NOT!!!\n\nDo you have any idea how HUGE football is in Argentina? Their fans are very vocal and will let the players and coach know if they are not happy about something, so can you imagine what it must be life for them to return home to fans who had very high expectations? \n\nI think with players like CRESPO <3 <3 <3, Messi, Teves, Riquelme and Cambiasso they have the ability to live up to their country's expectations. But things do not always workout the way you hoped, look what happened to Brazil in the World Cup.\n\nThe one reason why they get so upset is because FOOTBALL IS THEIR LIFE!!! Its not like they left the world Cup and went back to some ordinary job. Football is their job and people like to be successful in their careers... It is the same as players who cry when the loose a game...they have FAILED.\n\nI think the main reason why they were so upset is because they know that they are BETTER than Germany...things just went a little wrong!!!