I believe congratulations are in order!

“The happiness that I feel today cannot be described. I dreamt about this moment countless times. Since the last Copa América, it was clear that this group was very strong and motivated. Sometimes I had to lose a final, but I knew that this day would eventually come.

“I feel that God was saving this moment for me, against Brazil in the final and in their country.”

– Lionel Messi

F I N A L L Y! 

The wait is over!

Apart from Euro 2020, I’ve been following the Copa América for Argentina. I knew from the beginning that they’ll get it right this time after seeing them lose 3 Copa finals in 2007, 2015, and 2016. But last night, they got it right.

This is Argentina’s 15th Copa América title, the first one since 1993.

This is also Lionel Messi’s first major international trophy. He’s also the Top Scorer and Player of the Tournament. It took him 28 years to win a trophy with his beloved Argentina, but he never gave up. He had a great tournament:

Best Player of the Tournament ✔

Top Scorer of the Tournament ✔

Most Assists of the Tournament ✔

Another player that had a great tournament was Argentina’s goalie, Emi Martínez. He made 4 penalty saves (including 3 in the semis), 4 clean sheets (including one in the final), and he became the first Argentine goalie to win the Golden Glove since the award’s introduction. A pretty good year for the goalie if you ask me. I’m sure a lot of clubs are going to want to snap him up soon!

Overall, I’m truly happy to finally see Leo lift a trophy with Argentina.

Truly deserved, Argentina! The football world celebrates with you!

As for Euro 2020, I just watched the final between Italy and England, but everyone seemed to be enamored with a specific guest: Sir Tom Cruise. Yes, I said that with a pompous British accent.

Prince George LOVED it 😂pic.twitter.com/OHySiGlJ43

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 11, 2021

His reaction was priceless. And that’s the tea.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1414304578380566530

TC showed up to support England, and it was good to see him enjoy the game, but I rooted for Italy because from the beginning of the tournament I envisioned them in the final. My sister is still asking how I knew they were going to end up there. Well, two things really: their coach Roberto Mancini and they reminded me of Les Bleus 2018.

Special shoutout to the Player/Goalie of the Tournament, Gianluigi Donnarumma! It was a joy watching him guard the post.

This is their first win since 1968.

This is 34 games unbeaten.

𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗜 𝗗’𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗔!

Congrats Italy! This was truly deserved. The football world celebrates with you!

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (July 2021):  

And rend your heart, and not your garments, 
and turn unto the Lord your God: 
for he is gracious and merciful, 
slow to anger, 
and of great kindness, 
and repenteth him of the evil. 

Joel 2:13 💙

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Marchons, marchons!

There’s a lot of things to say about France’s lackluster display in this competition and so many fingers to point and poke the blame at for those responsible, but after all is said, done, and weighed, it just was not to be.

We win together, we lose together.

In victory and defeat, we stand together.

Marchons, marchons!

Allez Les Bleus!

Photo via @equipedefrance

On another note, I made a list of the teams that I’ll like to see get far in this EURO: Denmark, Spain, Germany, England, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, and France, obviously. Netherlands and France are out. Today, England or Germany goes home. Still, so many exciting games left, but I’m rooting for Italy to be champions because of Roberto Mancini.

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (June 2021):  

Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him. 

1 John 2:15 🌎

Euro 2020: France edge past Germany

And we’re off and running in this tournament after winning 1-0 against Germany thanks to a Mat Hummels’ OG, but overall, France had a pretty good game. I was disappointed that Deschamps didn’t play Giroud for he would’ve been perfect for this game.

There were some winning performances from the likes of Kanté, Hernandez, Varane, and even Lloris. Pogba was given the Man of the Match award, but my MOTM was Griezmann. He had a spectacular game!

Focus now shift to Hungary on Saturday. They’re a tough opponent, so France have their work cut out for them.

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (June 2021):  

Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him. 

1 John 2:15 🌎

Olivier Giroud on the cusp of making history.

Earlier this evening, I sat down with my sisters to catch our favorite team’s last friendly match (against Bulgaria) before the big tournament (Euro 2020). Les Bleus won 3-0 with a firecracker from Griezmann and a delightful brace from Giroud. It was a nice win, the only downside being Benzema’s injury. I’m not sure how serious it is as yet, but I’m hoping for the best.

A few photos from the match via fff.fr:

As for Giroud, he’s only 6 goals away from becoming France’s top scorer:

1. Thierry Henry – 51

2. Olivier Giroud – 46

3. Michel Platini – 41

4. Antoine Griezmann – 37

5. David Trezeguet – 34

Definitely rooting for my boy! 

GIF via gifer.com

I’m still contemplating covering the Euro for the blog, but I’m still uncertain. However, I’ll be supporting Les Bleus win or lose, so I may cover their games if I’m up to it. 

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (June 2021):  

Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, 
the love of the Father is not in him. 

1 John 2:15 🌎

Welcome back, Karim Benzema!

After five and a half years of being exiled from the French national team, Karim Benzema is back after coach Didier Deschamps handed him a shock recall. I’m not willing to go into details surrounding Benzema’s absence from Les Bleus for you can find all of that on the internet, but him being back is interesting. Over the years, he has been petty by poking fun of Olivier Giroud causing football fans to take sides, and this childish behavior did not sit well with me.

And some of us have been questioning Benzema’s return: Was this actually necessary? seeing that we were fine without him all along. Will he cause chaos in the dressing room? Many Les Bleus fans have ugly, scarred memories of pitch and behind-the-scenes bust-ups. However, I’m a fan of second chances, so I’m giving Mr. F1 the benefit of the doubt.

All there is left to say is welcome back, Benzema. Take this second chance and run with it.

In other football news, I’m thinking of covering the Euro 2020 competition as I did the World Cup in 2018, but I’m not certain how that would fit into my busyish schedule. If I do cover the Euro, it’ll mostly be Les Bleus’ games, but that remains to be seen.

** If not all, the majority of LPMB graphics are created using Canva; images via Pixabay. GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPMB are via Google Search (Right-click on the image for the source of origin if not credited.)

Disclaimer

VERSE OF THE MONTH (May 2021): 

Turn ye now from your evil ways, 
and from your evil doings: 
but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, 
saith the Lord. 

Zechariah 1:4 👂