Michael Sells’ World Cup update!

Posted on 2014/06/27 , tagged as

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Icon’s Sales Executive Michael Sells gives us his take on the World Cup so far, with particular reference to those players on whom we’ve published biographies by Luca Caioli!

Well, with the group stages of the World Cup complete and the knockout rounds upon us there’s been little chance to pause for breath and reflect.

Before we knew it Costa Rica and the USA had managed to shock all to escape their groups, whilst the England team boarded their plane back to Blighty.

Expectations were low to start with for Hodgson’s inexperienced selection, chalked off as a learning experience before the games had even begun, but for other nations this tournament has been sighted as do-or-die.

As the host nation, the expectancy surrounding Brazil is even higher than usual with all hopes firmly pinned on Barcelona’s starlet Neymar. Scoring 4 goals in 3 games, he has been instrumental in guiding Brazil out of their group with the pressure taking its toll on a number of his more experienced teammates.

Meanwhile Argentina’s 100% record reveals only half the story as they made hard work of an easy groups. The South Americans were twice pegged back by Nigeria before winning 3-2 and had to rely on an injury time wonderstrike from Lionel Messi to claim all three points against Iran. It seems that after years of underachieving in an Argentina shirt, the Barcelona star is finally beginning to excel in the blue and white of his nation. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has had an altogether less enjoyable tournament as his Portugal side failed to progress from the groups. Tendonitis prevented the 2014 Ballon d’Or winner from hitting full stride, although he did score the winner in their final game against Ghana. It was a disappointing end to a glittering season for Ronaldo, the highlight of which was undoubtedly Real Madrid’s thrilling Champions League final victory over local neighbours Ateltico Madrid.

Already well on its way to becoming one of the best World Cups in history, if Brazil manage to triumph it would kick-start the party to end all parties.