El Profesor

I´m now reading books related to the history of rubber exploration, especially in Amazon.

So, according to João Castelo-Branco, Ancelotti has requested Real Madrid's board the signing of Richarlison. IMO Everton should definitely sell him.

They played exactly like 1994 Brazil. Conservative, possession-based football. One of the dullest WC champions ever. Only 8 goals scored during the entire tournament.

2010 Spain was actually an ultra defensive team that used to ball possession to defend. Terrible side to watch. Del Bosque completely ruined Aragonés ´legacy from from an aesthetic point of view.

Finished "The Quiet American" last weekend. I listened to a series of podcast about South Vietnam´s president Diem and then I wanted to read a novel about Vietnam. Loved it, great book. I´m now reading "The Secret Agent", by Joseph Conrad:

Yes, I generally read more than one book at the same time.

Just say a video of Biden using the term "latinx". This has to be the most pathetic empire of all time.

Dembélé out for 3 months. His contract is up at the end of the next season, if I´m not wrong. I have no idea what Barcelona should do in this case. He´s young and the potential is still there, it´s the kind of the player you hate losing for free, but at the same time it feels like that all parties could benefit from a change of scenario.

Not really. I agree, that´s a weird decision by Juninho. The only positive aspect of this signing is that it´s unexpensive.

Would it? I´m far from an expert in contemporary israeli politics so I don´t have a definitive answer. Having said that, the fact that Golda Meir and Ben-Gurion were leftists make me somehat skeptical that a non-right-wing israeli PM would normalize the relationship with the palestinians.

Honestly, I just don´t see how Israel can have a normal relationship with its non-jewish population. The idea of a jewish state in itself is in contradiction with a liberal, non-confessional and multiethnic state. There are good reasons, obviously, that led to its foundation, I´m not going to deny it. But the concept of Israel in my opinion is always going to involve a degree of "jewish supremacy" in its internal borders. The basic problem since its territorial expansion in 1967 remains: they need that territorial expansion in order to avoid being pushed to the sea by a second Nasser, but at the same time they treat the native population of these territories as colonized not as citizens. This, on its turn, estimulates the anti-israeli feelings in the region and we end up falling in a non-ending circle of hostility. I wish there was an easy fix and the two-state solution came into fruition, but I doubt it´ll happen in my lifetime.

With the be Agree. Media was probably even worse in the past. What we have though is the benefit of the hindsight and the work of historians, who work to fill the gaps and find the lies. I mean, in the 1890s New York media barons such as Pulitzer and Hearst published a barrage of lies in their newspapers regarding Cuba in order to push US involvement in the Spanish-Cuban war and increase the sale of newspapers.

Thauvin and Gignac at Tigres is going to be cool to watch. It's a shame that mexicans don't play the Libertadores anymore. Tigres is up there with Flamengo and River as the best team in the american continent.

Chelsea fans, do you guys think Thiago Silva deserves a contract extension?

I've recently found about the "Blowback" podcast and I'm hooked. It's so good. Season 1 is about the Iraq war. For anyone who has some interest in the Near East, it's a must listen. https://blowback.show/

Extending Kimmich should be a priority for Bayern. Do you guys think he could be another Kroos case or is he more of a guy that wants to build a legacy in one club? Also, another question. Seeing Thiago at Liverpool, made me realize how good Kimmich is. Is he Bayern's best player? On Flick's exit, there seems to be a lot of anger from fans. They seem to be really upset by Brazzo. What did happen between Salihamidžić and Hansi?

Wasn´t that incident right after the Soleimani strike? I can definitely see why it happened, since tensions were high in Iran at that time. I wonder if the families of the victims have gathered to sue the iranian government. Not sure if the judiciary is independent in Iran, but they definitely should get at least a huge financial compensation for their loss.

Kayky is only 17. I have seen little of him, since he only recently has been promoted to Fluminense's first team. From what I heard, he's a huge talent. For some, the most promissing young brazilian player in a long time. He's a winger who dribbles and finishes very well. It's a shame that he and Metinho are joining the City Group. Finishing their transition to professional football in Brazil is in my opinion a way better option from a development point of view. City Group has a terrible track record with young south american players.

A new coronavirus variant has been found in Brazil. It combines the Rio de Janeiro, the Manaus, the UK and the south african strains. After P1, this is terrible news. Considering its large population and a president that simply denies the danger of the pandemic, Brazil is a threat to the entire world. It´s terrible to say that, but it´s the truth. The P1 variant has hit Brazil really hard. We´ve gone from a daily average of 1.000 deaths to more than 4000 deaths and still growing. Younger people are now dying much more frequently.

Gabriel Menino is one of the best young players in brazilian football. He was a vital part of Palmeiras' Libertadores title last season. He's a central midfielder but he's extremely versatile and can also play as a right-back. In fact, Tite has called him last to the NT last year as a right-back. Very polished player for his age. I think there are players with more potential in brazilian football, but Menino due to his versatility and maturarity is one of the safest bets. He's the kind of player who doesn't necessarily have an outstanding tool but can do everything well. Atlético de Madrid is also said to be interested.

Rafael Santos Borré is going to play for Grêmio, according to TyC Sports. Lazio had some interest but Grêmio´s offer was just too good. Grêmio is trying to build a stronger to compete with Palmeiras and Flamengo. They also want to bring back Douglas Costa.

Uruguay and Argentina are ill-equipped to host a World Cup. It´s a bad idea, especially for the citizens of both countries who would have to foot the massive bill to adequate their stadiums and infrastructure to the standards required by FIFA and its partners.

Palmeiras. Better team, plays at home and has an advantage.

Sampaoli is a capable coach, but he´s a difficult person. It will be interesting to see if he will be patient enough to lead a rebuild.

Amazing last round. Flamengo wins their 2nd title in a row.