Consistent Human Nature: Players' Tactics to Avoid Matches Before World Cup

Nihar991

"As fans, we truly understand the significance of the World Cup in the hearts of every player. Some players have hidden their injuries from their clubs and national teams to ensure they can play in the World Cup. Some have even gone through closed training sessions just to make it onto the pitch. While the World Cup may not always reach the same level of technical skill as club competitions, the dedication and spirit of the players during the tournament are unparalleled. I once came across a statement in a fan circle that said, ""Club matches are about tactics and systems between teams, but the World Cup is ultimately about mental strength.""

Before this incident, Robert Lewandowski had only received one red card in his entire career, and that was nine years ago. People used to praise him for his clean style of play. However, in this match, just 20 minutes in, he deliberately struck his opponent's neck with his forearm during an aerial challenge. Such a deliberate foul led people to speculate whether Lewandowski was trying to get a red card to avoid the last game before the World Cup. As a Barcelona fan, I naturally condemn this behavior and label him a mercenary.
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It's not just Lewandowski; players like Messi and Benzema, who are already established superstars, have also faced criticism from club fans for seemingly recurring injuries before the World Cup, with questions arising about whether they are feigning injuries for the tournament. In the football world, the interests of club and national teams have always conflicted because clubs pay players' salaries. The decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in the middle of the season has amplified this conflict, leaving both clubs and national teams in a difficult situation. As a fan, I can only say that scheduling the World Cup during this time was a poor decision by FIFA, causing clubs and national teams to be at odds with each other, which benefits no one."

Paritosh4444

For some national team players, representing their country may not be the ultimate goal.

Jatin255

Human nature has always remained constant.

Janak9955

This feeling is somewhat understandable as well, considering that everyone aims to showcase their talent on the World Cup stage.

977Iti

Life is like a drama, it all depends on acting skills.