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<h1>The future looked so bright for Africa going into the</h1>

Aside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah was the player to look out for in Russia. His stellar season with English Premier League club Liverpool has sent a message across the world.

Since the Black Stars of Ghana made waves at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with the continent’s first host of the biggest football competition on the globe, Africa has had a new spotlight.

Ghana’s quarterfinal step in South Africa, the furthest an African side had gone in the World Cup, could not be matched when Brazil hosted the competition in 2014.

Algeria and Nigeria were the only nations among the five that represented in 2014 to have made it from their respective groups. For the two African sides, the round of 16 was where they bid farewell.

Coach Kwesi Appiah and his men who had given the African football world so much hope in the previous edition were a shame to say the least. Writing scripts for Hollywood was their only mission in Brazil having threatened not to play games until money was flown from Ghana to South America. The story which screams fiction actually did happen.

This would go on to disrupt the love Ghanaians have for the game subsequently leading to them missing the Russia edition of the World Cup.

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Even so, Africa had so much hope going to battle in the cold weather of Russia.

Mohamed Salah made the football season so great with his immense talent it was difficult to rule out Egypt ahead of the game. His Liverpool teammate, Sadio Mane and his Senegal side were full of zeal and pace. Nigeria had sorted out the football problems to make it to Russia with a young and talented side. And then there was Morocco and Tunisia.

Egypt, who played Africa’s first game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament dented all hopes for the continent. Without Mohamed Salah, Egypt were a shadow of the side that pushed away Ghana in their group to claim a spot as one of Africa’s representatives.

The team lost by a single goal to nil to Uruguay which complicated their entire chances of progression with host nation Russia to play.

Morocco did take on Iran in their first game. By the end of 90 minutes, a picture of how African football fans were going to be put through an emotional rollercoaster was drawn. It wasn’t going to be easy. And it wasn’t.

Nigeria had created so much buzz ahead of the World Cup with their kit. Having already been in the spotlight, the stakes and expectations were high as ever.

The West African team were as poor in their first game as poor could get allowing Croatia to take a leap step to an impressive campaign so far with a 2-0 win.

Tunisia slacked but Senegal gave hope to Africa.

Hope from their win against Poland the first time they took to the field in Russia.

Complemented by their fans being polite enough to clean the stadium, the headlines looked good for the first time for an African side. ‘Hope’ was all over the place; in the hearts of people and in headlines.

But hope could not go as far as discipline could.

Senegal went into their final group game against Columbia having crushed the hope they gave into nervy bits. By the time Senegal’s last group game started, no African team had a place in the tournament as they had all been eliminated.

Nigeria’s was a painful one. They could win for a place in the round of 16 against Argentina but were done by a late goal from Rojo.

Senegal had their fate in their own hands in the Columbia game. A win or draw against Columbia and the round of 16 was a reality, no longer a dream.

In time of need, Senegal broke. The hopes Africa had come to an abrupt end. No team. No place in the round of 16. Nothing for Africa.

Having claimed the same points with Japan, scored the same goals as Japan and conceded the same goals as Japan, the battle to progress came down to yellow cards.

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Japan had 4 yellow cards, Senegal had 6. In the end, it was a farewell for Senegal meaning a touch of indiscipline had come to play in an unfamiliar manner.

Maybe, Africa’s slump at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was partially due to talent issues. Maybe. Just maybe.

However, some actions and inactions emphatically prove that when it comes down to football, talent is not the only option. Working hard and not relying on mediocrity as a birthright is key.

Nigeria had matters in their own hands but blew it. In the eye of a goal to boost their chances of qualifying, a player chose not to hit the target but rather rely on a penalty shout to win some accolades.

The same team that was better off staying in their dressing room in their game against Croatia because to put it as it is, Nigeria did not show up.

Morocco decided to put on their scoring boots when it wasn’t needed. Against Spain when the north African nation had already been eliminated, they scored twice. Two goals that could have proved useful in the zone of miss chances galore against Iran and Portugal.

For Egypt, no Mo Salah, no football.

Tunisia goes into their last game against Panama without a chance in hell. They are out and that summarizes Africa’s representation.

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Senegal will rue their missed chances against Japan, the team that eventually beat them to the spot they so needed. Looking at how they had featured in their first game, lapses in concentration were more their enemy that talent of the field.

In their first half of the final group game against Croatia, Senegal could have taken the chances they so needed to give them a breathing space.

The team knew a goal for Columbia could change everything and it did change. It did change Senegal’s prospects of qualifying to the next stage. And in the end, it did change Africa’s look at this World Cup.

Indiscipline costs. And it has in this tournament with regards to Africa.

But there’s one last hope which is certain. Hope that when a team steps onto the field for the rest of this World Cup season, no hearts will be broken on behalf of Africa. That is a sure certainty.

Africa went to Russia. Africa saw in Russia. After a series of mediocre performances, Africa never conquered.

Africa’s time at the World Cup crowned by the indiscipline that has made mediocre a favourite option

<h1>Africa has had a series of poor performances at the 2018</h1>

For the Super Eagles’ second game in Russia, the summary was everything nice and creative.

Nigeria started their game against Iceland on the back foot with a not so good display in the first half. In the second half, John Obi Mikel and his men were persistent, getting the ball in Iceland’s net twice.

Ahmed Musa brilliantly controlled a cross from Victor Moses to give Nigeria the lead before the same player swiftly moved in the box to get one past the goalkeeper again.

Iceland had a penalty but failed to score in their game against the Super Eagles.

For all these, Argentina was watching. And a lot of football fans who had Messi as their ‘GOAT’ (Greatest Of All Time) were also keenly following the turn of events.

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Nigeria’s win gives them the advantage to put their qualification destiny in their own hands.

The same win also opens a slight door for Messi and his Argentine side who were poor against Croatia to also make it through the group stages at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

As it stands in Group D, Croatia has already qualified. Nigeria is in the second position with Iceland and Argentina in third and fourth position with a point each.

With Nigeria to play Argentina in the last group game, a win for Argentina and a defeat for Iceland in their game against Croatia means Messi and his side will progress.

A win for Argentina and a draw in the game between Iceland and Croatia also means Argentina will be in the Round of 16.

If Iceland wins their game against Croatia, Argentina will need a goal more in their winning margin against Nigeria to be able to be on the same goal difference with Iceland and beat them to the next round with more goals scored.

Whatever be the case, Argentina will need a win to have any chance of seeing ‘GOAT’ Messi in the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Lionel Messi and his Argentina team can still be in the World Cup after the group stage following Nigeria's win. Here's how.

How ‘GOAT’ Messi could qualify to the next World Cup round after Nigeria’s win

Football, as it is by the Super Eagles, has so far been poor. Their game against Croatia lacked the creativity associated with the young squad. With games against a resilient Iceland and Argentina to come, that performance was poor, to say the least.

Outside the football field, Nigeria is the talk of the town in Russia.

Their World Cup kit designed by Nike has been all over the place and ranked among the best seen at the tournament.

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For their first game versus Croatia, information about their goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho’s age instantly went viral creating a buzz on Twitter. The commentator said Uzoho was 19 years old and people could not handle the fact based on how he looked.

But looking old but being young in age is not Francis Uzoho’s only speciality. The 19-year-old is a really good Shaku Shaku dancer.

A fan page of Nigerian musician, Davido posted a video of the goalkeeper blessing the entire Internet with some great dance moves.

Verdict? Nigeria’s 19-year-old goalkeeper is arguably the best Shaku Shaku dancer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

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Argentina might have to look elsewhere for that last miracle at the 2018 FIFA World Cup because in Nigeria's camp, it's all about nice kits and Shaku Shaku dance moves.

Nigeria’s 19-year-old goalkeeper is the best Shaku Shaku dancer at the World Cup

<h1>There was no mercy at the hands of the Russians who took to the pitch on Tuesday, June 19 against the Pharaohs of Egypt for their second game at the</h1>

In the cold weather in Russia, Egypt searched for warmth as they crumpled in frozen bits of home support.

Football on Egypt’s side was not good enough.

Ahmed Fathi was benevolent on the day, an unwanted act in the circumstance under consideration. His own goal boosted the hosts who went on to get two more from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba.

Before the fixture between Russia and Egypt, these were not names football fans across the globe looked up to. In fact, there was only one name, Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian magician who had won against football’s injury woes to cross the Sahara of his motherland overseas into the cold temperatures of Russia had a mission to complete.

A mission that started with his move to English Premier League club Liverpool. Salah didn’t know he would be compared among football greats by the time he made his first ever FIFA World Cup appearance.

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Mohamed Salah did score in his first appearance for Egypt at the World Cup, a penalty kick for his team’s only goal against Russia in the 3-1 defeat.

For football’s personal accolades, Egypt’s sensational attacker was ranked among the best for the next world best footballer of the year.

What has been the case in recent years is a dual between Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

So, for <a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/world-cup-2018/salahs-frustration-photos-could-make-you-hate-ramos-the-more-id8503133.html" id="f82519b6-4c1d-54e9-a222-82534d23f7c1">Mohamed Salah</a> to be mentioned among these two is a feat in itself. A feat that did not just come out of nothing.

Salah was a sensation for Liverpool in the just ended season. The Egyptian scored 44 goals for his club, the same number of goals current World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi led the goal-scoring chart with 45 but was sidelined in the middle of the world best predictions because Salah’s Liverpool had a Champions League final game against Ronaldo’s Real Madrid.

The game was played. After the final whistle in Kyiv, Real Madrid came up top, winning their 13th UEFA Champions League trophy.

With Cristiano Ronaldo underwhelmingly performing in the Champions League final based on his own performance, another stage was set for the debate of who wins the world’s best player.

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FIFA World Cup tournaments always give a different twist to these awards. Lead your team to glory for a whole new debate on who deserves it.

Cristiano Ronaldo went to Russia as captain of Portugal, Lionel Messi went to Russia as captain of Argentina with Mohamed Salah leading the Pharaohs of Egypt at the World Cup.

Salah’s slightest hope of being the next world best player heavily relied on how Egypt fared in Russia. After two games, that story is nothing to write home about.

Egypt started their campaign with a game against Uruguay without their talisman. An only goal from Jose Gimenez took all points from the African nation, denting hopes of a successful run in Russia for the Egyptians.

In their second game at the tournament, Mo Salah returned in all his goal-scoring glory. However, his penalty goal was not enough as a determined host nation Russia scored three more having scored five already in their first game.

Mathematically, Egypt has a slight chance of making it out of their group ahead of their last group game Saudi Arabia. Realistically, all hope is lost and same goes for Mo Salah’s chances of pipping Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to be named the World Footballer of the Year.

Salah’s case has not been helped by Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance for his two games played. The World Football of the Year and leader of the European champions, Portugal almost single-handedly claimed a point for his side in the game against Spain.

His only goal against Morocco also claimed all three points for his team making him a better player at the FIFA World Cup than Mohamed Salah.

Ronaldo has four goals at the World Cup. Mohamed Salah has one and Messi has none.

Between Messi and Ronaldo, the competition still offers the opportunity for these two players to shine.

For Mohamed Salah, however, a dream to of winning the world’s best footballer got frozen in the cold of Russia as he couldn’t make an impact as he would at the hands of Russian ‘mafia’ whose hopes of a host and win could only get better after eight goals in two games.

Africa's Mohamed Salah was mentioned among the strong contenders for the world's best player alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In Russia, those dreams for Africa's most prolific attacker at the World Cup got frozen.

How Mo Salah’s world best dreams froze in the cold at the hands of Russian ‘mafia’

For most of the games involving the five representative of Africa that is Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and Senegal, the name Africa has been mentioned more than the respective nations.

You don’t hear commentators mentioning Europe to embody the likes of Spain, Portugal and France. It is also not done for the Americans.

But Africa unites at these world events and almost always shine or flop together.

<a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/world-cup-2018/senegal-is-africa-s-only-hope-after-a-first-win-id8517569.html" id="ba449813-bf77-52d8-b305-010ad57006e1">Senegal</a> earned their stake as Africa’s only hope at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia following their win against Poland.

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The continent started with Egypt and a late goal broke Africa’s heart. The attention moved on to Morocco who were extremely poor against an opposition which should have inspired them to do better.

Nigeria, who had been hyped as Africa’s leading pack to take Russia by storm played their first game against Croatia and the result is one the continent would like to forget.

Tunisia scored Africa’s first goal from a spot kick against England but a sluggish display in the later parts of the game meant they took nothing away from the English.

Then there was Senegal. The team most people have forgotten were representatives of Africa and surprisingly so.

Sadio Mane and his team started energetically giving the hope that had for the entire tournament eluded Africa.

Pressure from Aliou Cisse’s men paid off in the 37th minute when Thiago Cionek was pressured to put the ball into his own net giving Africa its first goal from open play in the tournament.

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Mbaye Niang scored a second and despite Poland pulling one back through Krychowiak, Senegal held on for a win in their first game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament, the first win for Africa as a continent.

The party had already started for Senegal with their players showing how to celebrate a win with some gorgeous dance moves.

For the many fans in the stands who watched on, the feeling was just too good to be true.

In a typical football game, fans troop to the stadium to see their stars shine and leave when done. On days when the excitement is heightened with a win, nothing else matters.

Senegal was high on joy but their fans did not leave their act of kindness at home giving the world some cleanliness goals after their win against Poland.

The fans stayed behind to clean up their section of the stadium following their victory in Russia, an act that has received a lot of plaudits from people across the globe.

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On a day where Senegal showed their other African counterparts how it’s done, their fans gave football fans in the world some cleanliness goals. Africa is winning in Russia and Senegal deserves all the accolades.

When Senegal players were showing other African teams at the 2018 FIFA World Cup how it's done on the football pitch to secure a win, their fans cleaned up the stadium in an act of pure kindness.

Senegal players show Africa how it’s done; their fans give the world cleanliness goals

<h1>The last few minutes showed hope but also gave a reflection of nervousness based on what had happened to</h1>

Honestly, the African teams at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament had been poor until that last game in the first round of matches.

So, it was highly forgivable for onlooking fans to not have the believed in their stars in green, Senegal, even when they led by two goals against Poland.

Egypt started Africa’s campaign with their opening game against Uruguay. Despite Mohamed Salah not being fit to start, Africa still looked for a chance to shine in the cold lands of Russia.

A cold feeling it was for the continent in the end, and Salah, who could not make an appearance for his team’s opening fixture had heartbreaking photos from the bench, to sum up the collective feeling.

The lackadaisical approach to their game against Iran is an attitude not worthy of their part among Africa’s five representatives.

With Portugal and Spain in the same group, losing to Iran raises questions.

Questions that will only have positive answers if Morocco is drenched in the full anointing of being underdogs who were a part of the biggest upsets in Russia.

Because quite frankly, it will be an absolute miracle to have Morocco beat Spain and Portugal to boost their qualification chances. Especially with that shambolic performance against Iran.

That’s one of those ‘football, bloody hell’ moment that does not have a chance in hell to happen.

The most popular African team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament is Nigeria.

However, it was no effort or fault of theirs getting that recognition.

Nike’s creative team did a really good job of trying to mix the colours green and white, resulting in the most talked about jersey for Russia 2018, Nigeria’s kit.

When the likes of Germany were discussing how Sane’s drop could affect the FIFA World Cup defending champions, Egypt stressing on Mohamed Salah’s fitness level due to his ability, Nigerian minds were occupied by which half shoe fits their designer wears from Nike.

Of course, they had to make an impact at the FIFA World Cup, but football was not the subject of that memo.

The most exciting part of Nigeria’s first game against Croatia was the opening minutes. Not the opening minutes of the game itself.

The opening minutes of the entire fixture.

Adorned in their most talked about apparels, the Super Eagles majestically made their way unto the football field and that was it.

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Football itself, for the purpose of which John Obi Mikel and his teammates had made their way unto the pitch, was lacking skills, ability and zeal.

Youthful exuberance that had no purposeful goals was the summary of Nigeria’s opening fixture.

In fact, the only goal Nigeria gave the African continent in that game came from their goalkeeper; how to be forever young in age but old in stature.

<a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/world-cup-2018/twitter-cant-believe-nigerias-goalkeeper-is-19-years-old-id8506171.html" id="3d31dc6c-99ed-5cf7-8c9e-ad2caabb32fb">Francis Uzoho</a> as a 19-year-old at the FIFA World Cup was the centre of attraction setting Twitter on fire after the commentator mentioned it.

Uzoho’s age wahala was no fault of his and to single him out will be kind of cruel. The entire Nigeria team deserves that accolade … failing to show up when it needed most on the football pitch while excelling as fashion enthusiasts.

Sadio Mane had been brilliant for Liverpool in the ended season, helping his team score goals for fun. Against Poland, he was a leader who channelled his inspiration to his teammates.

It is funny that the focus of Africa hasn’t had him in the centre yet. It has been Nigeria for all the wrong reasons relative to football. And Mohamed Salah, which is rightly so considering the feat he achieved in goal scoring and impact ahead of the FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

<a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/world-cup-2018/hope-of-africa-senegal-showing-the-way-in-russia-id8517304.html" id="ca00f6bf-ae4e-5118-84e3-365261e37165">Senegal </a>was exciting to watch. Like Mexico against Germany, their pace and quick feet troubled Poland.

They worked hard for each tackle and looked a team that was willing to make Africa proud after their mates had underwhelmingly made their mark of a no-show.

And after so many minutes of waiting, Africa had its first goal at the World Cup from open play. A well-deserved goal for Senegal and a second, that came from the men in green’s hard work and pressure.

Following the accounts of what has been (and not), Senegal holds the potent potion of going far among the continents’ representatives.

One game is sometimes an early stage to judge. However, winning your first game at the World Cup gives you the confidence to go far. And the statistics also help because two wins mean qualification.

Senegal looks that team for Africa. A 2-1 win against Poland. Possible qualification against Japan who also seeks to achieve same results after edging Columbia. These games are highly volatile. No doubt.

Notwithstanding, after a first round of games for Africa at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Aliou Cisse’s team gives hope as the continent’s best team so far.

Africa pushed Senegal to the background and looked up to Nigeria to make it proud at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Turns out, the team in the spotlight was just a group of fashion enthusiasts with the real hope being the push asides.

Senegal is Africa’s only hope after a first win, the Nigerians were just fashion enthusiasts

<h1>Football and age have always gone hand in hand. You hear people writing</h1>

Clubs have a keen eye on the numbers a player has racked up on earth when it comes to signings. National teams consider these conditions too because the ideology is, the older the player, the lesser his activity on the field also, old players are prone to injuries.

So yes, age is a part of the game of football.

But with so many eyes watching these days, people have their own specifications of what a certain age should look like. If a player claims he is a certain age, he must look like it. Well, that’s how football fans see it especially those on social media.

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Nigeria, one of Africa’s representatives at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia played their first game against Croatia on Saturday, June 16.

One of the highlights of the game was when the commentator mentioned that Nigeria’s goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is a teenager.

The comment did not go past the ever-willing ears of Twitter folks. Despite, no official confirmation from Tweeps that Uzoho is not a teenager, people can’t handle the comment purely based on the goalkeeper’s look and Twitter is going berserk.

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Twitter can't handle the fact that Nigeria's 2018 FIFA World Cup goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is 19 years old.

The commentator said Nigeria’s goalkeeper is 19 years and Twitter is going absolutely berserk

<h1>For a football argument, anything will do.</h1>

Just like Pele’s 1000 goals, there was no social media, however, the feat is popularly accepted by many who love the beautiful game.

The idea of breaking and setting records does not have sole proprietorship when it comes to winning an argument in football. But it does help. When the going gets tough, people typically switch from the quantitative ‘how many goals?’ jargon to the qualitative ‘what’s his/her impact on the team?’.

So, has been the case for the most debate-igniting footballers of our time;<a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/ronaldo-hat-trick-steals-the-show-as-portugal-and-spain-draw-classic-id8504113.html" id="148cd120-a51d-53ad-8f9c-fbf1d6533499"> Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and Lionel Messi. Records, however, have played a major role in these debates.

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When Cristiano Ronaldo put three goals past arguably the best goalkeeper in world football at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia when Portugal took on Spain, there was bound to be a record-shaming, record-touting, record-subbing in the football community.

Cristiano Ronaldo had done it again and normally the shading target is Argentina’s very own Lionel Messi.

Just that this time, there was an unfamiliar foe, Ghana Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan.

Not unfamiliar in the sense of performing on the big stage. No! Asamoah Gyan is Africa’s leading top scorer at a FIFA World Cup tournament. And that counts.

But unfamiliar when it comes to a debate involving Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has that accolade.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s three goals against Spain in Portugal’s opening 2018 World Cup game has sparked a debate in world football, with Africa in the spotlight.

The commentator in the game said Ronaldo was the first player to have scored in eight consecutive major football tournaments.

Since the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has not played in eight FIFA World Cup tournaments, the ‘major football tournaments’ were obviously not limited to the World Cup.

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What are the major football tournaments for national teams then?

International competitions with regards to major football tournaments are loosely grouped in three; the world, continental by confederation and Asia (the largest continent).

The World part of the categorization has the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup with the Continental by Confederation having the UEFA European Football Championship, CAF Africa Cup of Nations, CONMEBOL Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup. Asia has Asian Cup.

News that the African Cup of Nations qualifies as a major tournament sets the tone for a social media war with regards to what record reporters think Cristiano Ronaldo might have set.

For clarity, the record proposed indicates Cristiano Ronaldo is the first man to score in eight consecutive major tournaments.

"It should come as no surprise that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, scorer of 43 goals for Real Madrid this season and widely regarded as one of the greatest to have played the game, etched his name into the history books in the process -- becoming the first man to score in eight consecutive major tournaments and only the fourth to score in four separate World Cups."

No. Ronaldo is not if Gyan’s records are anything to go by.

Asamoah Gyan does one better having scored in NINE consecutive major tournaments for his country.

The Black Stars captain scored at the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament in Germany, the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa, the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

That makes it nine in all for Ghana’s prolific striker.

The argument extends to the fact the Africa Cup of Nations is played at a two-year interval and that could be the reach of Ronaldo’s feat. But rules are rules.

READ MORE: <a href="http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/world-cup-2018/world-cup-2018-ronaldo-the-star-as-portugal-draw-spain-3-3-id8503784.html" id="eaa0aa9e-ba81-5e71-84fa-ac1fed1e9378"> Twitter hails King Ronaldo as Portugal draw Spain 3-3 in opener</a>

And once FIFA recognizes the time-space of Africa’s top international tournament, its relevance cannot be undermined.

Asamoah Gyan has been criticized for a lot of things and denied many accolades he deserves. The leader of Ghana’s senior national team who is a great goal scorer has sometimes not had his full praise due to the location he scores his goals.

But time and time again, Gyan has proven that he can rub shoulders with the game’s biggest scorers. He has done it at the highest stage of international football; the FIFA World Cup.

So, don’t take this one from him because you lack the instinctive football decency to recognize the Africa Cup of Nations as a major football tournament.

Asamoah Gyan was the first player to score in eight consecutive major international tournaments. He's done nine now. Fact.

However, in football arguments, whatever makes you look good is what is highlighted upon. We could see a twist in what has already been said just to keep Cristiano Ronaldo looking good in the eyes of the football world.

Don’t be surprised if you see ‘Cristiano Ronaldo is the first Ballon d'Or winner to score in eight consecutive major tournaments’.

Well, Gyan has never won the Ballon D’Or and this shade gets to Lionel Messi the more. The usual norm we’re used to.

When Cristiano Ronaldo scored against Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, news broke that the Portugal captain was the first player to score in 8 consecutive major tournaments. No! Ghana's Asamoah Gyan has that record and it's 9 consecutive major tournaments.

kwame

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