FEATURE: Messi vs Ronaldo or Inter Miami CF vs Al-Nassr FC || Luka. Man, What are you doing? || THE ORIOLES ARE SOLD

Edition #48

Intro

We’re two more editions away from big #50! I have something very special planned, but to continue with that stuff, I need your help! All you need to do is go to the subscriber chat, and then enter an NBA question! Not all may be able to go into the newsletter, but some will! I promise! Anyway, onwards with today’s edition! (No NFL news! Just for your sanity!)

Messi vs Ronaldo

When you go anywhere around the world, other than the US, people are not only split on which Club Football team is the best but who is the G.O.A.T. of soccer (I’m going to continue calling it fútbol). Or ranking the Top 3.

My favorites ranked?: Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo

I personally think Ronaldo is just a guy who tries to fake getting a yellow card, but that’s basically what the whole game of soccer is about, lol.

Statistically: Messi is always going to be #1 although it is still pretty close.

But let’s talk about 2nd for a minute.

Ummm yeah. Ronaldo actually might be worse… Now obviously, this was 4 years ago, but it’s nice seeing a comparison.

Background

All of the people in the US, obviously know about Messi coming to the MLS. What about Ronaldo? Neymar? Where do they play now for Club Football?

Well, Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr

Neymar plays for Al-Hilal

Messi plays for Inter Miami CF

Now, let’s kick out Neymar until Neymar and another superstar play together… Right now, Neymar needs to focus on his messages to the world about his weight…

But, what’s all this Al-whatever stuff?

Well, they play for Saudi Arabia now. Yes, Saudi Arabia. Oil sales boom there and they had enough money to start bringing in so many famous European players that Club Football in Europe is boring now…

Ronaldo vs Messi. Who’s the GOAT?

Who’s the GOAT?

It’s literally the biggest debate ever…

Let’s look at a goal comparison real quick!

The only thing is that Ronaldo has played two more seasons than Messi has. That’s probably why he has the lead right now.

Each of them has remarkably netted over 690 club goals in their career so far, with the five seasons between 2009-10 and 2014-15 proving particularly golden as they pushed each other to greater heights.

While Ronaldo currently has more goals overall, Messi has the edge in the scoring department, with a higher season average (37.9 to 35), having hit a high of 73 goals in 2011-12.

Interestingly, while Ronaldo's seasonal totals have declined somewhat in recent years… He failed to break the 30-goal mark in 2018-19 during his first season at Juventus. Messi's have remained consistent, though the Argentine's rate slowed after joining PSG.

Now before I dive a bit more further, let’s look at some more stats…

Yeah! When you dive a bit deeper into that, you might think that Ronaldo is actually better! But why do people remember Tom Brady? Is it because he threw a 99-yard touchdown? No! Because of the number of Super Bowl rings he has! And I really think that deeply impacts what we’re seeing here.

It isn’t just about the individual titles, either. Check out how many league titles he has… 11! Ronaldo doesn't even have a World Cup win yet! He might be considered an amazing player, but he can’t be the best!

Who’s winning?

Now futbol isn’t just about one guy. It’s about everyone. If one person misses the big shot, the only opportunity... It doesn’t just hurt them, it hurts everyone…

Al-Nassr is coming in with a 6 game-win streak. Miami has 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses. I really do think it’s going to be the same tale for Miami. It’s going to be another loss… 4-2 should be the score. Messi and Ronaldo, 1 goal. Ronaldo 1 assist.

Now this doesn’t mean that Messi = sucks Ronaldo = GOAT, but it’s a H2H meeting won for Ronaldo…

ORIOLES ARE SOLD

John Angelos has agreed to sell the Baltimore Orioles to a group led by Carlyle Group Inc. co-founder David Rubenstein.

THE VALUE WAS 1.725 BILLION DOLLARS

Rubenstein, a Baltimore native, reportedly will take over as the team's controlling owner.

Major League Baseball still must approve the sale. Owners are scheduled to meet next week in Orlando, Florida.

A sale must be approved in a vote of at least 75% by the 30 major league teams. The sales approval process typically lasts several months.

The Angelos family has been in control of the Orioles since 1993 when Peter Angelos purchased the team for $173 million. Angelos' son John has been the team's chair and managing partner since 2020, because, sadly, Peter suffers from dementia.

The weird thing about this is…

The Orioles recently finalized a deal with the Maryland Stadium Authority to remain at Camden Yards for the next 15 years, with a path to expand the commitment to 30 years.

Then why would you sell the team???

The Orioles are coming off a 101-win season and their first American League East title since 2014. With young stars Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson and another top prospect on the way in Jackson Holliday, the future looks brighter than ever before for a team, as this team hasn't won a World Series since 1983.

But, payroll has always been an issue for these Orioles and Angelos said one time, “When people talk about giving this player $200 million, that player $150 million, we would be so financially underwater that you'd have to raise the prices massively.”

What’s going to happen next? That’s up to the new owners to decide. Will they be a bit more aggressive/change the Oriole way like Josh Harris? Or will they stay the same old and make Orioles fans even more angry?

Luka. What are you doing???

Heading into the 2023-24 season, a player has scored 70 or more points in a single game just 13 times. Now, thanks to Joel Embiid’s 70-point night against the Spurs, and then Luka Dončić’s 73-point outing against the Hawks just 4 days later, that historic club has expanded to 15 occasions.

73 points

73 POINTS

IN AN NBA GAME

ISN’T

THAT

CRAZY?

Well, yeah! It is! That’s why it’s 4th all time in the NBA All-Time-Scoring-List.

Well when someone hits 73 points, they’ve probably just been shooting all day right? Focusing on the shot, no assists, and no rebounds. Oh, but Luka has to do something new, right?

He collected 7 assists,10 rebounds, and a steal in 45 minutes of play, which was enough to edge out the 5-point win.

YES!

73 POINTS AND IT’S STILL ONLY ENOUGH FOR ONLY A 5-POINT WIN!

Remember, the Mavericks have Kyrie Irving along with Super Doncic, but they’re still only 8th in the West. Now, obviously, the Timberwolves may be better, but the Mavs, they just can’t be consistent with winning and how they win.

Conclusion

I have a few questions for all of you guys. Answer it in the comments below.

#1: What place do you think the Mavericks are going to end up?

#2: Who’s going to win, Ronaldo or Messi?

#3: Who’s better Ronaldo or Messi

Thank you so much for reading another edition of Sports Square. I really appreciate it. Hopefully, you guys enjoyed it! (Sports quote below…)

“I just knew if it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.” —Gertrude Ederle