World Cup Rivalry

BY PEDRO VAIL Staff Reporter

After four years of waiting for the biggest and best sports tournament, the World Cup in Qatar starts Nov. 24.

Many people from Sequoia are excited for the World Cup, the best sport in the world, football, the real football (not the American one).The tournament is between 32 countries, 64 games, calling the best football players to play against each other on the biggest stage representing their country. Viewers will expect many last minute game winners and upsets for example the infamous “7-1” where Brazil lost seven-to-one against Germany at the Brazil World Cup 2014 Semi-Finals.

Some players miss the tournament though.

“Imagine missing the world cup it was just around the corner, It’s gotta be one of the saddest things for a player,” Duran said.

This World Cup will likely be the end of an era for this generation.

“Many players that we grew up looking up to are retiring after this one,” senior Isaac Lopez Rivas said.

It will be the last for Lionel Messi, who plays for Paris Saint German (PSG), and Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Manchester United (Man U). They are the best football players in the world– top one and two. Messi is playing for his respective country Argentina which is a South American powerhouse. Ronaldo is playing for Portugal.

One of the biggest questions in history ever could be settled at this World Cup: Messi or Ronaldo? (I think it’s Messi; but I will not get into it.) If either of these players manage to win the World Cup it will “confirm” the real GOAT.

“I think Ronaldo is just as good as Messi. If I had to choose though, it would be Messi,” government teacher Juan Duran said. “It’s just those things where people are split, you know, Chivas v America, Pele v Maradona, Barcelona v real Madrid. [I’m lucky] to be living at the same time as two phenomenal incredible players.”

Students would argue otherwise.

“Ronaldo because he does more for the team,” Rivas said.

The debate has fans pointing fingers at each other.

“[Ronaldo fans] are delusional, I think they have a bias. They think that scoring goals is better than actually helping out the team,” senior David Rubio said. “Messi, stands out better to me, I like what he does. He takes on the whole team, passes the ball and gets an easy assist. Ronaldo just stands there, cherry picker.”

People are excited for other players too. Neymar Jr. of PSG, thinks this will also be his last (though there’s a small chance it won’t). Other top players playing, Kevin De Bruyne, from Belgium and playing for Belgium, Benzema and Mbappe from France and Phil Foden from England, are coming to Qatar from the world’s top football leagues.

“[The best young players are] Phil Foden, Mbappe, Gavi, Pedri, and Vinicius, especially Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He’s one to watch,” Rivas said.

While fans will witness the retirement of amazing players we grew up watching, fans will also witness the evolution and growth of new players, judging whether these fresh faces will do good in the future of their career or bend under pressure.There will be some underdogs from teams that people don’t expect to do well, who will shine and pop off.

“I’m just excited for that, and just like the goals that are gonna come out and the memorable moments,” Duran said.

The World Cup can be watched on Tubi and other streaming services after they end.To stream live the World Cup can be watched on Fox Sports on monthly subscription services. The Spanish television channel Telemundo streams for free. Fans can download the ESPN app to find the schedule for the games that play at all hours as Qatar is in a different time zone.

“I just kinda wish it wasn’t during school so I could watch every game. I’m gonna have to sacrifice a couple hours of school, wake up at 12 a.m. to watch games,” Rivas said.

Soccer fans do not want to miss any games.

“I’m gonna try and set my alarm on,” Duran said. “I’m definitely hyped up man, definitely been waiting for four years.”