Last 8 I don't know (although it will definitely be up there - as he already said) but last 4 - without a doubt


Yes, I'm certain he would because the impact his World Cup win would have had on Argentina cannot be quantified or compared to all the countless CL medals he won with Barcelona. Maybe it's an English thing that people here can't understand the impact a WC win has on a nation

I'm not twisting anything, or doubting viewing figures. If your argument is which one is watched most on telly I'm in full agreement. If you're saying that viewing figures equals importance, no. A national team will get more viewers than a club team because countries have only one of a certain type, and hundreds of the other.

Is it a foreign thing to feel you can speak on behalf of footballers you don't know?

If you read interviews with or autobiographies of players who won stuff, you wouldn't have to be in the dark about their feelings on this.

I'm not in the dark, don't worry and I have read many many interviews and autobiographies. Again you are making statements about things you don't know.

I don't think it's unreasonable to claim that international success is the pinnacle for most players. there is more than enough evidence to suggest this to be the case.

But unless you personally speak to every single player in the world - how would you know?

Saying that some players see it as the pinnacle of their career is nowhere near the same as suggesting Lionel Messi would trade every single bit of success to date for a World Cup winners medal.

I keep going back to it, but the importance to the players, teams and fans has been there for all to see.
The celebrations for goals, wins and even some draws, has been massively wilder than what you get in group stages of the CL. I've been in pubs when CL games have been on and hardly anyone bothers to watch. For many, the CL games are just another football match on the telly.
Many of the group games of the CL are mundane with sometines very flat atmospheres. Indeed, there have been many games in the group stages that have had far better atmospheres than many CL finals. The atmospheres at these championships have been amazing from day one!

For once, I agree!
It's going too far to say a player would give up 15 years of club football for one trophy, even if it I's the biggest in that sport.

Your argument is fans and players celebrating goals? Tell us something we don't know. International football is not the pinnacle of a career. Club football is far superior to international football and the audience and TV deals and money in the game reflects this.

Completely dissmissing the massive difference ib the level of celebrations which is there before you eyes. To you, the wild celebrations have been no different to what we see week in week out. Sorry, you know that is not the case so you are telling a lie.

As for the TV deals.
You are not comparring like with like.
A tournament that lasts 4 weeks every four years against a product that has games several days of the week, 9 months a year, year in year out.
What drives TV money is viewing figures. It is a 100% fact that international tournaments are vastly more popular than club football with TV viewers, so your argument is ridiculous!

If you want like for like then why introduce the comment of England having a bigger TV audience than United. Thats not like for like is it.
A country and a club......

Making the argument in the first place is ridiculous because you aren't comparing on a level playing field anyway.

A smaller nation celebrating an unexpected win is on a par with a major FA cup upset which is often over celebrated too., not that it really matters or is an indication of much.

Yes, but whats considered success ?
Is getting to the last 4 of this tournament greater than winning the CL ?
One you get a pat on the back, which apparently some think is awesome, the other you get a medal you can look at forever.

England are hardly a small nation, but they've been going nuts when they score.
When I see grizely old Keane acting like he did last night, then I need say no more.

Some of you have an sgenda and will refuse to admit the obvious, even when it's there on camera. So, there's no point going round in circles on this .
I know what i'm seeing and hearing with my own eyes and ears and that's good enough for me.

Go look at the celebrations in Leicester or Madrid or any city where a team wins the biggest top domestic and European prize. It's the worst argument I've ever heard you are making about grown men crying etc. Club football destroys international football on every level.

It was playing for your country that was supposedly the pinnacle.

Nonsense. International competitions are the pinnacle of any team sport(, and some individual sports too - eg: athletics).. Unless the sport is played in very few countries at a half competitive level - eg: American football.

Five nations rugby is far more important than club rugby
The Ashes are far more important than county cricket
The World Cup is far more important than the Champions League.

1-Only if you qualify to play for one of the five (six) nations
2-Only if you are English or Australian

Its really not that simple

I can assure you I dont have an agenda at all, I just disagree with a lot of what you say. Im not disputing the level of celebration, I saw it with my own eyes too, i just dispute what you read into it.

Yes it is.
Just as it is for any team sport (and some individual sports - eg: athletics), unless it is only played by a few countries at a competitive level (eg: American football, baseball).

Five Nations rugby is far bigger than club rugby
The Ashes is far bigger than county cricket
the World Cup and European Championships are bigger than the Premier League and th Champions League.

Robbie Brady had tears welling up in his eyes as he ran to celebrate his goal with the Irish fans, you could see it clearly when they replayed it in slow motion. You would never see this type of emotion in a Champion's League game, probably not even in the final. This "international football is finished and club football is where it's at" business is patently untrue.

I''m talking about wild celebrations for just a goal in a group match and you're comparing that to a 5,000/1 footballing miracle and the reaction to actually winning the CL. You are unbelievable!

Not a rugby fan, but the World Cup is far bigger than the six nations.
The Olympics is far bigger than winning a Diamond League race.
You can go on with these kinds of examples.
But somehow, the Euro club cup which has been around since the 1950's, is now bigger than the Euros and World Cup.
Nothing to say when the date was, who said it was or a single scrap of evidence to back their view up.
It's just s tiny group of fans who've plucked this up out of nowhere. All they can do is say it's bigger cuz they say it is. That really is all they have going for them.