Ryan Baldi @RyanBaldi_ Twitter profile | Pikagi

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Ryan Baldi

@RyanBaldi_

10,808

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2,225

Following

2,130

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Sportswriter: @Guardian_Sport , @BBCSport , @WorldSoccerMag , @F365 . Books: They Always Score; Arsene Who?; The Dream Factory; The Next Big Thing

Worcester, England

https://t.co/dgix1DVGJa

Joined September 2015

Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 months

OTD 1999: Manchester United clinch the Treble by beating Bayern Munich 2-1 at the Camp Nou Here are 8 stories from that game you might not have heard Taken from my book ‘They Always Score: The Unforgettable, Improbable, Iconic Story or Manchester United’s Treble Winners’ 🧵

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Again: you hire an Ajax-bred coach, given him a Sam Allardyce squad and ask for good football, then sack him after four games? Unbelievable

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

I think Dave Jones is excellent at his job and I’m sure he was being told to say that at the end. But he undermined Gary Neville’s reasoned and right-thinking argument. This kind of faux journalistic balance is part of the reason why we are where we are

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Between 1996 and 1999, Ronaldo was an alien. Nothing like him before or since. Might have been the best ever if not for injuries. He was still magnificent when he came back, but human.

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

The year is 2047: The Super League has been an overwhelming financial success, but its eight most successful clubs are tired of sharing the pot with the perennial stragglers. They band together to announce the formation of a new breakaway division, The Super-Duper League

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Beautiful goal

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Rashford completed 43 (89.6%) of his 48 attempted passes. Only two of his incomplete passes were in the middle third. None in the defensive third. He also completed four of six take-ons and set up the game-winning goal I think he’s doing just fine. Amazing, actually

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Brozovic with the Iniesta moves

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Saw the fawning over this ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold before I saw the pass. Expected it to have been overhyped. If anything, it’s been undersold. Phenomenal pick-out

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Opposition to the Super League is not implicit endorsement of the status quo

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

3 years

Goran Pandev has been balding longer than Jude Bellingham has been alive. I respect that longevity

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Shaqiri for £13.75m is a very tidy piece of business for Liverpool. He picked up eight goals and seven assists in the worst team in the league last season and will look twice the player surround by higher quality. Versatile, experienced and somehow still only 26

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

John McGinn: take a bow. This is incredible

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Messi has scored 614 goals for Barcelona. Feel like he’s scored this one at least 150 times before

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Ronaldo, the PSV years. 54 goals in 57 games. A kid on the brink of becoming a superstar. Nothing like him before or since

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

While Bale and Ronaldo dropped hints about leaving, Zidane just quietly packed his bags and rode off into the sunset

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

I think Alderweireld, even at £60m, is a good signing for Man United. Signing another 29-year-old attacker for big money would be a bad move given the young talent in that department. But an experienced, Premier League-adjusted, top-class CB is what they need

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

David Beckham, free kicks. Enjoy

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Only De Bruyne (9), David Silva (8) and Leroy Sané (8) have more Premier League assists than Pogba (7) this season — all three have played at least 250 minutes more than the Frenchman

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

If Harry Maguire is your second-best defender, I think you’re in great shape. If he’s your best, I think you have a ceiling

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Players whose contracts expire at the end of 2017/18: Lionel Messi Alexis Sánchez Mesut Özil Ander Herrera Juan Mata José Giménez Stefan De Vrij Ross Barkley Leon Goretzka Emre Can Daley Blind Faouzi Ghoulam Luke Shaw Fernandinho Jack Wilshere Marouane Fellaini Mario Balotelli

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

It’s a headline-grabbing piece of business and Van Dijk (or any competent CB) fills a big hole for Liverpool. But don’t get it twisted, Naby Keïta is their game-changing signing

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Alderweireld for £60m would make it £120m spent on centre-backs in the last three years for United. Should be no excuse for seeing Smalling and Jones start a meaningful game together anymore

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Lukaku’s ability to drive in from out wide has always been underrated. Brilliant goal

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Think it’s safe to assume Liverpool gave Michael Edwards such a prominent role in their transfer decisions based on his degree in bussiness management and informatics, experience and record of success. Their criteria wasn’t simply: “Did you play here?”

@MailSport

Mail Sport

5 years

Manchester United 'to create transfer committee of three ex-players to make sure they avoid signing flops' as club look to copy Liverpool-style model

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

With Serie A moving from Eleven Sports to Premier Sports in February, the yearly cost to UK viewers who want to watch the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and Serie A is now around £1,015, spread across four subscriptions

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

We not gonna talk about Bailly’s pass here? Ok

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Mohamed Salah had never scored 20 goals in a season before he joined Liverpool. He’s now scored 20+ four years in a row. We might be in danger of becoming a bit numb to his consistent brilliance

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Van Dijk has had an amazing year. He’s the best CB in the world by a mile and worthy of the recognition he’s getting. Like so many before him — Robben, Ribery, Xavi, Iniesta, Sneijder — he’s unfortunate to be around at the same time as Messi when it comes to the Ballon d’Or

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

2 years

He had no right whatsoever

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

If Raiola uses unscrupulous methods to bring a player to your club, you can't be surprised when he uses the same methods against you

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

What a statement of intent Liverpool’s signing of Fabinho was last year. Deal completed just two days after the Champions League final. His performance tonight is a huge reason why they’re back there again, and as favourites

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan reuniting at Arsenal has the potential to be something special. If they click with Özil too, that’s a scary front three

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

. @GNev2 on Sky now saying it’s a “disgrace” that, if true, United have leaked that Mourinho is to be sacked. “Furious” with how the club have operated over the last four years. He’s right

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Lukaku's record in big games would be so much better if he received the kind of service Azpilicueta just provided for Morata

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Whatever your feelings on the last Manchester United manager, to have two talents like Pogba and Martial and not build the team around them is just negligent

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

2 years

I’m not leaving any meeting satisfied after being told I need to do more work for half the pay

@utdreport

utdreport

2 years

Xavi has spoken with Frenkie de Jong. He made it clear he is counting on him, but if he wants to be part of the project, he has to make an effort - that includes almost halving his salary. They both left the meeting satisfied #mulive [ @diarioas ]

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Michael Laudrup had every type of pass in his locker. And he could see round corners

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

If United aren’t sold on Jardim or Zidane as their next manager, perhaps a stop-gap appointment (like Hiddink at Chelsea or Heynckes at Bayern) is the best way forward. End the Mourinho malaise, make a push for top four and work on wooing Pochettino for the next six months

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Just been asked for some football book recommendations. All of these are ace:

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

3 years

FFS. Why do we need to hear from this moron? The players have told you what it means to them. They’ve told you why they do it. You don’t get to tell them “yeah but actually...”

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

It’s an underrated skill of certain elite players to be able to coax bad decisions out of opponents. People panic around Ronaldo and do stupid things too often for it to be written off as coincidence. There’s a real value to that

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

I still maintain that Martial is an Mbappé/Dembélé-level talent. He’s got the potential to be one of the very best in the world if properly nurtured

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Move over, “He’s 28 until he’s 29,” there’s a new sheriff in town

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Samuel Eto’o, one of the most underrated players of the last 20 years

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Apologies to anyone who’s messaged me on here over the last few days and not had a response. I’ve been a little busy welcoming this little man to the world

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Thread on why Cristiano Ronaldo is actually a better comparison for Mo Salah than Lionel Messi

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Leeds fans, if you’re wondering what to expect from Marcelo Bielsa, here’s a piece I wrote a couple of years ago about ‘El Loco’, detailing his tactical philosophy and how he has influenced many of the game’s best coaches

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

So Barça's transfer strategy now is to just hijack Serie A clubs?

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

The narrative being built around Man United’s players after Mourinho’s sacking is weird, isn’t it? If they start playing well now they’re snakes who stopped playing for José; but there are “no excuses” to not perform or else they’re not fit to wear the shirt. Can’t win there

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

2 years

Or, you know, continue under the terms of a mutually agreed and legally binding contract

@ManagingBarca

Managing Barça

2 years

🚨🚨| A final meeting in the coming days with Frenkie De Jong & he must decide: Either reduce his salary or leave. @gerardromero [🎖️]

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

FIFA Best Award – It's not an award for the best player in the world if Messi doesn't win it, much less even make the top three

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

I’m sure people will use Pogba’s performances at this World Cup as proof he can play in a two, and question why he’s not as effective there for Man United. The difference: N’Golo Kanté

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

So, looks like Man United are about to sign the best player from a top-six rival, who was also a top target for their cross-city rivals, while also tying their own best player down to a new contract. That makes for a pretty impressive January

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Signed by napkin, left by fax. An analogue man in a digital world

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

More football book recommendations here:

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Remember when Mo Salah couldn’t finish?

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

As he did last year, Andreas Pereira looks great at DM for United. His movement to always give the centre-backs a passing option is really smart and his use of the ball is great. Always positive and doesn’t hold on to the ball too long

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Been so long, forgot how to pub

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

3 years

Ladies and gentlemen, your goal of the tournament

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

This >>>>> Alisson’s vs Napoli last season

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

It’s one thing to see the pass, but then to execute it so perfectly? Incredible assist by Jorginho for Tammy Abraham

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

If Klopp could build a midfielder from scratch to be perfect for his system . . . well, he wouldn’t have to because he’s bought Naby Keïta

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Messi in the kind of mood tonight whereby you owe it to yourself to be watching if you aren’t already. Regardless of allegiances and rivalries, we love football and he does it better, more beautifully than anyone I’ve ever seen. He won’t be around forever

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

2 years

Nice to see that Romario, at age 56, is still doing absolutely ridiculous things on a football pitch

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Nine years younger and about €20m cheaper, Malcom makes a lot more sense than Willian for Barcelona. Can play anywhere across the second line of attack and will help ease the creative burden on Messi

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

5ft 9ins Sadio Mané’s eight headed goals since the start of last season is more than any other Premier League player except Chris Wood (9)

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Still struggling to understand how the world’s best clubs have seemingly decided Willian — who’s ~good, not great, and turns 30 next week — is worth £65m. Chelsea would be crazy to not sell him

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Sergej Milinković-Savić’s season by numbers: 24 Serie A games 9 goals 2 assists 30 dribbles 36 key passes 46 tackles 21 interceptions 59 aerial duels won As a midfielder, he can do it all. Just turned 23 and set to be this summer’s hottest property

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

3 years

Jadon Sancho has got 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 games for one of Europe’s top clubs. Got a chance or unlocking a tight game, I’d say

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Setien-ball. Sign me up

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Thomas Lemar wants to join #MUFC and Monaco willing to sell if £60m valuation met, according to @DuncanCastles in his latest podcast.

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

2 years

“The person who made me want to play football was Cristiano Ronaldo” For any Chelsea fans wanting to know more about Noni Madueke, I interviewed him just over a year ago for @BBCSport

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Noni Madueke: The English teenager who rejected English giants to star for PSV Eindhoven - BBC Sport

Noni Madueke has not had as much media attention as some other young English talents but he is attracting interest from Europe's biggest clubs.

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Yep. Best striker at the World Cup so far

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Frenkie de Jong justified the hype, the fee and the comparisons tonight. Dominant in the biggest game of his career, outplaying Kroos and Modric at the Bernabéu while never seeming at all rushed or uncertain. Some player

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

2 years

Would be nice if at some point the ITV coverage gives us a bit of analysis on one of the most entertaining second halves at the World Cup, instead of insinuating a nonsense conspiracy about a ball that looks quite a lot like it didn’t cross the line

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Struggling to think of a better goalkeeping performance over the last few years than David de Gea’s today. Best in the world

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a 17-year-old with a skillset as broad and complete as Mason Greenwood. Effortless technique and a deep bag of tricks

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

3 years

Marcus Rashford is national hero and inspiration, and there’s nothing a right-wing shit rag and its hypocritical hit pieces could do to change that. He is the best of us

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

White sweater guy just knew the fact he's seen the Matrix 38 times would come in handy one day

@RexChapman

Rex Chapman🏇🏼

4 years

Incoming...

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Reminder: a healthy Gareth Bale is one of the best players in the world

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

1 year

"unfiltered"

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@NetflixUK

Netflix UK & Ireland

1 year

This is BECKHAM – a four-part documentary series telling the unseen, unheard and unfiltered story of one of the most recognisable and scrutinised athletes of all time. Premiering on Netflix, 4 October.

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Of all the places Frenkie de Jong could’ve ended up, PSG is the least interesting

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Pretty sure Fosu-Mensah is better than Darmian

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

My take on the Lucas Moura to United rumours: he’s not good enough If it’s a loan until the end of the season purely to add numbers and a different option, fair enough He hasn’t progressed nearly as much as expected though. Like a Brazilian Walcott in many respects

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

Messi with an absolutely outrageous dummy

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

The difference in United’s defence with and without Bailly is night and day. As an outstanding one-v-one defender with bags of recovery pace, he was always going to be United’s best hope of keeping this Liverpool attack at bay

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

The talent gap between Messi and Barcelona’s next best player is wider than ever (Neymar gone, Suárez off form, Iniesta ageing). If Barça win the title this year it’ll be among Messi’s greatest achievements. Carrying this team. 🐐

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

I’ve come to the realisation Messi is actually one of the most underrated players in the world; no matter how good you think he is, he’s better

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Ox doing Messi things. Beautiful finish

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

Tahith Chong is ready to be one of the breakout stars of Man United’s pre-season tour A piece breaking down what makes the wild-haired teenager such an exciting prospect #MUFC #MUTour @FB_WHISPERS

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Fully prepared to take pelters for this but... I think Vardy actually suits this England system better than Kane

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Martial has transformed this game. When he's got a point to prove he's unplayable. Needs to maintain this level of motivation.

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

6 years

I think this might be the most beautiful finish I’ve ever seen. Messi ... bloody hell

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 years

Inside the mind of Rhian Brewster - in conversation with family, friends and coaches to understand why he’s determined to become a Liverpool legend A long read but I think this is the most comprehensive profile of Brewster to date | @LivEchoLFC #LFC

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Inside the mind of Rhian Brewster, by those who shaped it best - Liverpool Echo

LFC Stories: The rise of Rhian Brewster has been sharp, and it has been chronicled by family and coaches

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 months

Nicky Butt on Sir Alex throwing a projective at his head when the midfielder unexpectedly got a question right in a pre-match quiz at the team hotel

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

7 years

Messi, Neymar and Rashford all score free-kicks within minutes of each other

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

4 years

We know football is fucked. The solution is not to blow it up and make it even fuckeder

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

3 years

The boy who would be king: a 19-year-old Ronaldo at the 1996 Olympics

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@RyanBaldi_

Ryan Baldi

5 months

Ferguson’s surprise pre-match guest in the changing room: Eric Cantona

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