The Euro Final: 14 July 2024

A Word From the Author

mrs. madrista: Why are you still going — what’s the point...?

Juninho: I’m here to tell world I’m from [redacted]. Been diving in the deep water like I know the sharks.

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Welcome to The Daily Merengue — a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name!

Shoutout to the Mods who do a fantastic job, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho (the “boogeyman”).

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Brief Madrid News

Pintus Loading. It’s almost preseason time!!!!! Thank God. I don’t know about everyone else but I’m good on international football for a few years. These tournaments have been a bit of a struggle. Anyway, Pintus is smiling as he prepares to break every living bone in Mbappe as well as Kylian’s willingness to live. We may see the greatest version of Mbappe soon.

Transfer Rumors. More rumors swirling the expectations of the rest of our transfer window. Of course, we’ve heard the recent Yoro news (which I believe is as good as done) but there are rumors swirling that Madrid have also signed Franco Mastantuono from River Plate for around 40M. Of course the young Argentine sensation is only 16, so we wouldn’t see him for another few years but maybe we’ll begin to filter highlights as well as more of his story. Anyway, I expect an eventful upcoming week with news regarding Yoro, Davies, and potentially Mendy.

The Match

Who You Should Root For. Probably Spain. If we simply do a Real Madrid player analysis, there is one Real Madrid player on Spain as well as three former players (if we want to include Morata). Additionally, as the best club in Spain, the biggest Spanish club, and a signal of everything Spanish in football, it would make sense for MMers to root for Spain. These players are a representative of La Liga and could bring more spotlight to the league we all love.

I’ll admit though that it is hard to root against the Golden Boy. With a Euros win, Jude Bellingham will be assured the Balon D’Or, which will also further highlight the brilliance of Juni Calafat, Florentino Perez and Real Madrid. Jude is having an absolutely remarkable season and his winning mentality seems to be undeniable. If you’re rooting for England because of Jude, I’ll forgive you.

Who Juninho is Rooting For. Spain. This isn’t even close. I love Jude (shoutout to Ivatar + TR for assisting me in the fight against the MM masses who labeled Jude overrated British hype who was also far too expensive). I personally think Jude deserves the Balon D’Or. I also feel like this is Jude’s last opportunity to win such award at Madrid so it may even be preferable for him to win the Euros and seize glory.

However, England is one of the most painful teams to watch. Besides the fact that Jude seems to have injected them with a bit of Real Madrid magic, this team is inept. Phil Foden looks like a system player. Saka has legitimately one move to beat players. Harry Kane seems washed. Declan Rice is weirdly uncomfortable under pressure. Trippier isn’t a LB. Walker looks washed. I like Mainoo so he’s exempt. Only god knows how Southgate (or DD or Dorival Junior) has a job and keeps getting away with these final appearances. Also don’t even get me started on the average England fan.

This Spanish team is the exact opposite of this lifeless English corpse. They’re young. They’re fast. They move vertically. They attack space. They want to win games and play aesthetically pleasing football because “winning is not enough.” Winning is a requirement; however, simply winning isn’t satisfactory.

Football is a game of copycats, so I’m hoping a Spanish win further bleeds into the ethos. I’m incredibly tired of the robotic nature of football in its current form.

The Prediction

England Victory. It pains me to say this but I expect England to win a close match like 2-1. I really hope this isn’t true but there is something about this English team which seems uncharacteristically destined to beat their many many odds. Jude Bellingham just feels inevitable at the moment. Of course, I reserve the right to change my prediction if England score first. This English team imo looks dreadful when trying to protect an early lead. They shrink into themselves and play supremely conservative.

England is winning a tight match or Spain is simply blowing them out.

In the end, hopefully its a good game with zero controversies and we can just turn our attention to the Mbappe presentation + USA Tour + 24/25 Season + Treble Coming.

Advice For the Lil Homie

“I long for lovin’ and affection. These posts ain’t what I need, I need direction. Juni don’t leave me, please, swear I learned my lesson. But, we still chase thrills, we’re imperfected...I don’t want to talk on the blog, leave me a message. Voices still in my head, voices still in my head...Beef with the closest of fans and made no amends. I’d rather troll him instead. Out of all the flagged posts to spread. You pick the one that’s gon’ get us premod time?

Val still texting about Daily Thread deadlines..”

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Shame on the devil. I’m touched by an angel. The lord made me special. Yet, I’ve prayed for days like this...

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