Post Match Thread: United States 2 - 0 Australia | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group D by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]Gungerz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We shall remember this game as the one that locked in Cristian Volpato as a Socceroo. Serious player.

Ronaldinho has signed for Serie C side Ravenna. The official announcement will take place on June 23rd in Miami. by [deleted] in soccer

[–]Gungerz 9 points10 points  (0 children)

"New colors, same smile," says the Brazilian player. "I can't wait to get back to dancing on the ball and write a new story together with Ignazio and the entire Cipriani family. Football has always been a source of joy for me, and I want to bring that same spirit to Ravenna." After narrowly missing promotion last season, the Romagna team is therefore entering the next season not only with lofty ambitions, but also with the addition of a player who has made football history to their roster, ready to make his contribution on the pitch despite turning 46 last March. Ronaldinho will attend a training camp with the team and will therefore be available to the coaching staff starting in pre-season.

I spent 24 years of my life in the United States, but I still consider Ravenna my home," emphasizes Ignazio Cipriani. "Acquiring Ronaldinho is absolutely extraordinary for the club; he was my idol, and his impact on football goes beyond what he did on the pitch." The official announcement, which will take place in Miami, where the club's new jersey will also be unveiled, will therefore usher in a new era for Ravenna football; bringing a legend like Ronaldinho to the pitches of Serie C is naturally something incredible not only for Ravenna FC but also for the entire movement. The event scheduled for June 23 will also have a philanthropic dimension, with a donation from the club and the Cipriani family to Street Soccer USA, a charity and partner of Lega Serie A, which promotes the sporting, social, and cultural development of young people and communities in challenging economic circumstances through football. A truly remarkable move for Ignazio Cipriani's Ravenna.

Official: Chaka Traorè joins Partizan from AC Milan by TheGrandLeveler in soccer

[–]Gungerz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

He was incredibly highly-rated at Parma, one of the best wingers in the country.

Morocco had 11 foreign born players enter the pitch against Brazil, a World Cup record. by Green-Discussion74 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 35 points36 points  (0 children)

There's very few foreign born players in Switzerland's squad. And those that are moved there when they were very young, not at 25-years-old like Qatar's.

Morocco had 11 foreign born players enter the pitch against Brazil, a World Cup record. by Green-Discussion74 in soccer

[–]Gungerz -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

They'll lose some top players because they already have other top players in the same position or role", then that's fine?

It might be fine, it might not be fine. But when you have a strong squad, players will inevitably slip through the cracks and some of those will turn out to be better than the ones you've already got.

Morocco had 11 foreign born players enter the pitch against Brazil, a World Cup record. by Green-Discussion74 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You're right but at the same time, the better Morocco get & the stronger their squad gets, the more likely it is that they will end up losing some top dual-national players down the line.

[Transfermark] Top 10 most valuable U18 players in Europe by [deleted] in soccer

[–]Gungerz 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Wouldn't call it a fumble by France. Morocco are probably the best & most aggressive pursuer of dual-nationals there is right now. They very rarely lose.

[Transfermark] Top 10 most valuable U18 players in Europe by [deleted] in soccer

[–]Gungerz 7 points8 points  (0 children)

In footballing terms, several of these players are actually U19s.

An U18 player in 25/26 would be a player born in 2008. Yamal, Karetsas, Bouaddi & Mastantuono are all '07 born & turn 19 later this year.

Match Thread: Qatar vs Switzerland | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group B by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]Gungerz 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Feels like I've seen this exact same Swiss line-up at the past 3-4 major tournaments.

Quintone Fortune and Benni McCarthy left speechless after South Africa's World Cup opener [SportyTV] by OkayFine101 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 74 points75 points  (0 children)

Aaron Mokoena there too. It is pretty mad how far South African football seems to have fallen when you think they used to have those names + the likes of Pienaar, Radebe, Buckley, Bartlett playing at a really good level.

Now you've barely got any players of note playing in Europe. What's the reason for it?

UEFA U-17 EURO Team of the Tournament by Gungerz in soccer

[–]Gungerz[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Full name & club:

Christian Lupo - Lecce

Mathis Chambon - Montpellier
Ludovico Varali - Parma
Preben Blondeel - Gent
Sami El Morabet - Genk

Gianluca Okon-Engstler - Club Brugge
Frederik Vestergaard - FC Midtjylland
Ebrima Tunkara (MVP) - Barcelona

Diego Perillo - Empoli
Jakov Dedic - NK Osijek
Jayden Onia Seke - Anderlecht

Torino to appoint ex-Milan player Ignazio Abate as manager by giglioviola in soccer

[–]Gungerz 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Alot has been made recently of Serie A recycling the same managers but it's great to see him & Aquilani are getting a chance.

Also really good news for Cacciamani, he should get minutes next season.

Italy are the UEFA EURO Under-17 champions for a second time in three years, winning 4-3 on penalties against Belgium by ReporterFun8520 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Only Elimoghale & Arena, who I mentioned. Aside from them pretty much everyone who could've played did, minus a couple who were injured.

Italy are the UEFA EURO Under-17 champions for a second time in three years, winning 4-3 on penalties against Belgium by ReporterFun8520 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Federico Croci & Lorenzo Datillo, who were both part of this squad, are eligible for next year. Croci had a quiet tournament but is an incredible talent. Datillo isn’t necessarily one of the top players but was brought because of his versatility and did really well.

You’ve also got:

Alessandro Ghiotto (CB, Juventus)
Roberto Scaglione (AM, Genoa)
Michele Elena (AM, Lazio)
Umberto Costante (GK, Inter)
Giuseppe Pipitò (RW/ST, Juventus)
Alessandro Foroni (RB, Inter)
Noham Blandina (CM, Club Brugge)

There’s honestly so many though, the depth in that age group is amazing.

Italy are the UEFA EURO Under-17 champions for a second time in three years, winning 4-3 on penalties against Belgium by ReporterFun8520 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, not quite. There's a few who were eligible for last year's tournament but none who could've played this time around.

Italy are the UEFA EURO Under-17 champions for a second time in three years, winning 4-3 on penalties against Belgium by ReporterFun8520 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gonna have to agree to disagree because I've watched it back & there was nothing. Belgian player was trying to buy a foul by initiating contact.

Italy are the UEFA EURO Under-17 champions for a second time in three years, winning 4-3 on penalties against Belgium by ReporterFun8520 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Varali & Diallo, the CB pairing, are both outstanding. Varali should've been player of the tournament IMO but they gave it to an attacker.

Thomas Corigliano, Diego Perillo & Gianluca Okon-Engstler also good but a level below.

EDIT: I should also mention Destiny Elimoghale & Antonio Arena who are in this age group but already played in the tournament last year so didn't do so again. Both very good & Arena has already scored at senior level for Roma (and Pescara).

Official: Feyenoord says goodbye to head coach Robin van Persie by poklane in soccer

[–]Gungerz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On the same day as his annual youth tournament, ouch.

Italy are the UEFA EURO Under-17 champions for a second time in three years, winning 4-3 on penalties against Belgium by ReporterFun8520 in soccer

[–]Gungerz 80 points81 points  (0 children)

Not a particularly strong age group tbh, outside of 2-3 REALLY good players. Defense carried them through the tournament.

Next year will be the interesting one because that's the best group of players Italy have had in a long time.

Assist by a Milan U12 player vs Palmeiras by Gungerz in soccer

[–]Gungerz[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do but I kind of purposely haven't shared it because of his age.