Connect with us

Sports

Piers Morgan Names His Controversial All-Time World Cup 11

Published

on


Piers Morgan never shies away from giving his controversial opinions, whether it be on global politics or world football. The British journalist and media personality has now caused a stir with his all-time World Cup XI.

Morgan, an Arsenal fan, has left Lionel Messi out of his line-up completely, despite finally getting his hands on the trophy in 2022. The Argentina legend, largely viewed as the greatest footballer ever, was crucial to his nation’s success in Qatar.

After being called out for snubbing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Morgan hit back by claiming he wasn’t even Argentina’s best-ever performer on the biggest stage. He said: “Messi’s not even the best Argentinian World Cup player… I went for Maradona instead.”

Piers Morgan Picks Cristiano Ronaldo in World Cup XI

cristiano ronaldo

In terms of the players who did actually make his team, the 61-year-old included England’s 1966 hero goalkeeper Gordon Banks, with Italian centre-back duo Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in front of him. The latter didn’t actually win the World Cup, but is one of the greatest defenders of all time.

His full-backs are a pair of Brazilians. Cafu and Roberto Carlos were crucial in the Selecao’s most recent triumph in 2002, while the former had lifted the trophy eight years prior. They are largely seen as the best right and left-backs in the competition’s history.

Morgan named a stacked midfield consisting of three Ballon d’Or winners. Lothar Matthaus played in five World Cups during his career, winning it once in 1990. Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho were the geniuses behind France and Brazil’s 1998 and 2002 wins.

The front three includes Argentina’s best World Cup player, in Morgan’s eyes, Diego Maradona. The diminutive superstar tore England apart and was generally unplayable during the 1986 World Cup.

Accompanying him in the forward line is Ronaldo Nazario, who was vital for his country winning in 2002. The second player in Morgan’s XI who has never won the World Cup is Cristiano Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner could still change that as Portugal are among the 2026 favourites.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Inclusion Angers Fans

Cristiano Ronaldo Rodrigo Antunes via Reuters

The biggest talking point on social media was how Ronaldo managed to sneak into Morgan’s XI, despite never scoring a goal in the knockout rounds. Messi and Brazil icon Pele missed out as a result, something that annoyed one X user, who said: “No Pele, no Messi. You must be joking, right? What’s Ronaldo doing there lol?”

“All-time WORLD CUP XI with Cristiano Ronaldo. Sensational rage bait, he’s got me,” another stated. Some think it’s biased due to the fact Morgan has a personal relationship with the Al-Nassr star: “Oh my god, you’ve put Cristiano, not Ronaldo, because you think he’s your mate and you’re on first-name terms with him.”

The 41-year-old’s poor record on the biggest international stage was further compounded by a fan saying: “Noticed how most of the players here have a World Cup trophy and the one he adores has never seen the semis twice.”

This will be a sixth World Cup for Ronaldo, and the zero goals he’s managed in knockout ties is the biggest factor people have pointed out: “Picking an attacker that has never scored a knockout goal at a World Cup in an all-time World Cup team. Listen. Fair play.”

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Club Open To Tottenham Player Sale For £26M After Contact Made

Published

on

By


Tottenham have been handed a boost in their pursuit of one transfer target, but could face a battle to land him over their rivals in the coming weeks in the market.

It’s part of a busy summer for Spurs, as Roberto De Zerbi and the recruitment team have already shifted focus towards rebuilding the squad to avoid a repeat of the consecutive 17th-placed finishes the club have suffered from.

Two deals have already been sealed in the backline, while moves are also being made to sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke in swift fashion.

Other targets are in mind too, with an open race to land a particular forward.

Antonio Vergara Transfer Battle

Antonio Vergara

Tottenham have been linked with a move for Napoli forward Antonio Vergara, as CalcioNapoli24 claims that the club are monitoring a move for the 23-year-old.

Spurs aren’t the only team in the mix, as Como are also eyeing a move as they look to add more homegrown talent to their squad ahead of their move into the Champions League next season.

It’s claimed that the Serie A side have already made contact for the 23-year-old, as the two teams position themselves for a possible deal in the market.

Napoli are believed to be open for a switch in the region of £26 million, which could prove to be a bargain, if Tottenham are able to agree a switch.

It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi’s side will formalise their interest, as Como appear to be pushing ahead with their own move for the forward.

You scored

out of 20

How Good Is Antonio Vergara?

Antonio Vergara in action for Napoli Matteo Ciambelli Via Reuters

A move for Vergara could add more attacking depth to the Tottenham forward line, but there are question marks over how well he would adjust to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old can play as both an attacking midfielder and as a right-winger, but he has often been used as a squad player since returning to Napoli from a loan spell at Reggiana.

Last season, Vergara made 19 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and assisting four times, with just under 1,000 minutes to his name.


Roberto De Zerbi on the sideliens during his first match as Tottenham boss


Tottenham Could Sanction ‘Absolutely Insane’ Transfer This Summer

One of Spurs’ rising stars has been tipped to leave the club this summer

The former Italy youth international saw his season interrupted by injuries, which certainly didn’t help his case to be a regular starter under Antonio Conte.

At 23, there is room to grow further, but it’s unclear whether Tottenham can take such a risk when they have a squad filled with potential but a lack of quality for the here and now.

Continue Reading

Sports

Man Utd Chiefs Now Confident They Will Sign Elliot Anderson

Published

on

By


Manchester United are optimistic they will beat their rivals to a key signing this summer, according to The Guardian, as the next phase of the squad rebuild moves into effect.

For Michael Carrick, the summer offers a chance to reflect on a successful stint so far, having returned the Red Devils to the Champions League, before pushing on and finding areas to improve upon.

The recruitment team are already putting plans into place for some key additions to the squad, with the midfield being the main area of focus so far.

Ederson is set to join the club from Atalanta, as Manchester United have agreed the terms of a move and are moving closer to the deal being finalised.

The midfield interest doesn’t stop there, however, as the Red Devils continue to monitor other options, which includes a potential move for Elliot Anderson.

Elliot Anderson To Man United Latest

Elliot Anderson waves to the Nottingham Forest fans
Elliot Anderson waves to the Nottingham Forest fans

Anderson appears to be one of the most-wanted stars in the Premier League this summer, after the Nottingham Forest midfielder has shown his class for both club and country – leading to rave reviews and an “elite” description of his performances.

A move appears awkward for a few clubs, after Forest placed a price tag in the region of £100 million on the star, as they brace for interest elsewhere.

Manchester City have already made an offer, which has been rebuffed, as it seemed as though everything was moving towards Anderson joining them.

However, it appears as though there could be a twist in the tale, as the Guardian claims that the Manchester United executives are optimistic that a deal for the midfielder can still be completed.

As it stands, Man City seemingly remain the favourites, but there is belief that the Red Devils will be able to convince the England international that they are the right destination for him.

Perhaps even more importantly, the report claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is willing to fund the wage demands of the 23-year-old in the summer window.

It all comes down to whether United can fully convince Anderson that Old Trafford is the ideal destination, even if the project still needs time to build.

You scored

out of 20

Anderson Is Perfect For Man Utd

Elliot Anderson

As Man United look to improve their midfield ranks, a move for Anderson would appear perfect to help try and set the club up for the short-term and long-term future.

The England star is a generalist, someone who is good at a bit of everything, which is the exact profile that could take the Red Devils to the next level.

The 23-year-old is comfortable evading pressure when building up from deep, has the creative instinct and vision around the box in the final third, and has an engine that allows him to put in a shift when out of possession.


Michael Carrick Manchester United manager (2026)


Manchester United Make Decision Signing ‘Best Defender In The World’

Man Utd have been linked with a move for Tottenham star Cristian Romero

Much like how Declan Rice helped transform Arsenal, Anderson could end up doing the same for Man United, giving a player who platforms everyone else.

It will be costly, but it could accelerate the project at Old Trafford by a few years.

Continue Reading

Sports

Tottenham Want Jean-Matteo Bahoya In Transfer Switch

Published

on

By


Tottenham are stepping up their interest in transfer targets, as a report from BILD claims that a winger is back on the club’s radar for this summer.

Spurs have already wasted no time in trying to strengthen Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, adding the free signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while progress is being made to try and sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke.

However, after the head coach claimed that “only ten to 12” players were good enough to play for the Lilywhites, there is still work to be done.

That is why Tottenham continue to push forward with a few other key moves, with a winger seemingly on the shortlist for a switch this summer.

Jean-Matteo Bahoya Transfer Move

Jean-Mateo Bahoya celebrates scoring for Eintracht Frankfurt Kai Pfaffenbach Via Reuters

According to a report from BILD, via Sports Witness, Tottenham are described as “particularly interested” in a move to sign Jean-Matteo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.

It comes as the Bundesliga outfit are looking to raise funds in the transfer market, with the 21-year-old winger listed as one of three players who could be available in the coming weeks.

North London rivals Arsenal were linked with a potential move for Bahoya, but the report suggests that the Gunners may well have walked away from a move.

The French winger has impressed over the past season, with promising performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, suggesting he could become even better in the future.

Bahoya has been described as “unbelievably fast”, potentially adding an injection of pace that Tottenham need in the forward line moving forward.

That said, it remains to be seen whether an offer will be lodged in the coming days and weeks of the market.

You scored

out of 20

Tottenham Transfer Challenge

Spurs chiefs Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

While Bahoya may be a promising option for Tottenham, the priority has to be on improving the base quality of the team, not the potential for the future.

Spurs have plenty of young players who could become great, but miss that consistent quality that can often be found with the stars who have experience, particularly in the Premier League.

This approach in signing the likes of Robertson, Senesi, and Van Hecke shows that the club know this, but the same must come from the forward areas.


Roberto De Zerbi on the sideliens during his first match as Tottenham boss


Tottenham Could Sanction ‘Absolutely Insane’ Transfer This Summer

One of Spurs’ rising stars has been tipped to leave the club this summer

Manchester United used this effectively last year, with the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for the forward line.

While Savinho has some experience, he still lands more on the side of potential, meaning that Spurs should look to land more immediate forward quality.

Continue Reading

Trending