Is International Football Dead?

[Captain Sensible]

As the champions league seems to be the most money spinning and important tournament to most clubs and players, has that made international tournaments and international football second rate? Can the big players of Spain, Italy, Holland, France and England really be bothered? I think not. They see the friendlies as an annoyance and the tournaments it now seems aswell. With Greece winning the Euro 2004. There is no doubt that it is very important to all the fans but not so for the millionaire players. Something must be done to give the Euro's and the World Cup back its attraction. This Euro 2004 was crap. I know some will say that if England had won it I wouldn't be saying it, true, but someone in another country would. Greece? I mean come on! It's pathetic. We need back the excitement of Spain 82, Mexico 86, Italia 90 and Euro 96. It is now club before country not just for the chairmen of the clubs but for the players aswell. How soon for the fans?

 

[coventrygull]

All the big teams lost because they are filled with over paid worthless rubbish well done Greece and here's to Latvia winning the world cup

 

[Zebedee]

If you're on £100K a week, how do you motivate yourself? I've often wondered that.

 

[fatboy]

So what is the point of the likes of Greece and Latvia competing.

They should go back to the old days with only 8 teams.

Make it a closed shop; England, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Portugal and Columbia.

At least that way a big team would win.

 

[Soul Finger]

Columbia?!?

 

[sullyupthewing]

I think it was Franz Beckenbauer who said International football was on the wain and European club football is more important to some people, maybe he was right.

 

[Gotsmanov]

Let's have an international league system, 10 teams per league, 3 promoted and relegated every 2 years. It would serve to render FIFA's wanky ranking system obsolete, and we'd get to play Argentina and Germany more often.

 

[Chesney Christ]

What a shame. International football should be the pinnacle of any players career and yet it seems that all they care about is the stuff that makes them the most money. It is especially sad for me because, as much as I love the Albion, the fortunes of the national team is more important to me, and is my true passion.

Mind you, the look on Cristiano Ronaldo's face after tonights game would tell you that at least some of the "millionairre players" still care about the international stuff.

 

[oapdodge]

no

 

[Beach Hut]

It is devalued as clubs pay the wages which are foolishly high.

Maybe we could learn something from Rugby and Cricket where they have international contracts ?