New Kobe and Messi Commercial

[EArl]

I'm loving this battle between Euros and Yanks to out ignorant the other.

We don't know who Messi is!

Oh yeah? Well we don't know who Kobe is!

Lol They just don't get it . I'm trying to explain to the non-Americans here in this thread that Messi isn't a name people are familiar with in the USA. I'm using the analogy of Peyton Manning, not to compare their worldwide popularity, but so they can better understand Messi's (lack of) popularity in America. Peyton Mannings popularity outside of the USA is comparable to Messi's popularity within the USA.

For you Europeans saying "I don't even know who Peyton Manning is, how can you compare him to Messi????". That's exactly my point! Manning is the face of the most popular sport in America, but outside of America no one knows who he is. By the same token, everywhere outside of the US, Messi is a household name. But in America, if you ask 100 random Americans who Lionel Messi is, I'd be surprised if even 5 knew. I don't say this to insult Messi or his fans, I'm just describing the reality of soccers Insignificance in Amerian culture.

The thing for me is, in Australia nobody cares about Soccer or American Football, and I still know who all these guys are. If you don't know the best players from all of the major sports than you're just not a sports fan.

You'd be surprised about Strayans not knowing about Football. I know a couple on the Aussie board that follow American Football.

[BadWolf]

it's weird that you follow sports so closely to practicaly live on the sports froum yet don't know some of the biggest sport stars in the world. Even Americans can't be that ignorant .
I have no data, but from talk with some American friends, they said soccer is the sports most played on the streets. Any truth to that?

[JellosJigglin]

I'm loving this battle between Euros and Yanks to out ignorant the other.

We don't know who Messi is!

Oh yeah? Well we don't know who Kobe is!

Lol They just don't get it . I'm trying to explain to the non-Americans here in this thread that Messi isn't a name people are familiar with in the USA. I'm using the analogy of Peyton Manning, not to compare their worldwide popularity, but so they can better understand Messi's (lack of) popularity in America. Peyton Mannings popularity outside of the USA is comparable to Messi's popularity within the USA.

For you Europeans saying "I don't even know who Peyton Manning is, how can you compare him to Messi????". That's exactly my point! Manning is the face of the most popular sport in America, but outside of America no one knows who he is. Everywhere outside of the US, Messi is a household name. But in America, if you ask 100 random Amerians who Lionel Messi is, I'd be surprised if even 5 knew. I don't say this to insult Messi or his fans, I'm just describing the reality of soccers Insignificance in Amerian culture.

The problem is that Messi is pretty famous even in the U.S while Brady is not.
just because you don't know about Messi, doesn't mean that other people don't know either.

If Messi is popular in the US then it must only be among the immigrant population. South Americans are probably the largest demographic of soccer fans in North America. It's obvious just looking at the turnout when the US and Mexico play. I only know this because the Galaxy are forced on me now that they're on the Lakers Time Warner channel.

[Wont Trade]

Lol They just don't get it . I'm trying to explain to the non-Americans here in this thread that Messi isn't a name people are familiar with in the USA. I'm using the analogy of Peyton Manning, not to compare their worldwide popularity, but so they can better understand Messi's (lack of) popularity in America. Peyton Mannings popularity outside of the USA is comparable to Messi's popularity within the USA.

For you Europeans saying "I don't even know who Peyton Manning is, how can you compare him to Messi????". That's exactly my point! Manning is the face of the most popular sport in America, but outside of America no one knows who he is. By the same token, everywhere outside of the US, Messi is a household name. But in America, if you ask 100 random Americans who Lionel Messi is, I'd be surprised if even 5 knew. I don't say this to insult Messi or his fans, I'm just describing the reality of soccers Insignificance in Amerian culture.

The thing for me is, in Australia nobody cares about Soccer or American Football, and I still know who all these guys are. If you don't know the best players from all of the major sports than you're just not a sports fan.

You'd be surprised about Strayans not knowing about Football. I know a couple on the Aussie board that follow American Football.

I was speaking generally. I follow it relatively closely too, but I still knew these guys before I ever watched a game. It just comes with being a sports fan. You hear names and discussions even if you're not into it.

[BadWolf]

and then ther's this ona quick google search

Lionel Messi's nine seasons as a professional have been notched by eye-popping achievement, be it the record-breaking 324 goals he has netted for Barcelona, the 91 goals struck for club and country in 2012, or the four Ballons d'Or landed along the way. Yet the Argentinian star's most recent accomplishment may prove to be among his most astonishing: The 26-year-old has just become the first international footballer to break into the top-10 list of America's favorite athletes, according to the vast ESPN Sports Poll (October 2012-September 2013.)

[JellosJigglin]

it's weird that you follow sports so closely to practicaly live on the sports froum yet don't know some of the biggest sport stars in the world. Even Americans can't be that ignorant .
I have no data, but from talk with some American friends, they said soccer is the sports most played on the streets. Any truth to that?

No way. Not even close. Soccer leagues are popular among the 5-10 age groups because parents just want their kids to run around and get some exercise while they pick up the groceries (hence the popular term "soccer mom" in America). I was one of those kids in he 80's. My 6 year old niece is also in a league. Soccer is a sport that's usually forced upon kids, it's not a sport played on the streets by choice. American football, baseball, and basketball are still the top "street" sports in cities across America. In Canada it's ice/street hockey.

[EArl]

and then ther's this ona quick google search

Lionel Messi's nine seasons as a professional have been notched by eye-popping achievement, be it the record-breaking 324 goals he has netted for Barcelona, the 91 goals struck for club and country in 2012, or the four Ballons d'Or landed along the way. Yet the Argentinian star's most recent accomplishment may prove to be among his most astonishing: The 26-year-old has just become the first international footballer to break into the top-10 list of America's favorite athletes, according to the vast ESPN Sports Poll (October 2012-September 2013.)

Well there you go.

[JellosJigglin]

and then ther's this ona quick google search

Lionel Messi's nine seasons as a professional have been notched by eye-popping achievement, be it the record-breaking 324 goals he has netted for Barcelona, the 91 goals struck for club and country in 2012, or the four Ballons d'Or landed along the way. Yet the Argentinian star's most recent accomplishment may prove to be among his most astonishing: The 26-year-old has just become the first international footballer to break into the top-10 list of America's favorite athletes, according to the vast ESPN Sports Poll (October 2012-September 2013.)

Well there you go.

How was this poll conducted? Was it online? Was it asked at random or were they targeting sports enthusiasts? Was it in person? Too many variables. Give a link.

[BadWolf]

http://bit.ly/IFtI8o

[EArl]

and then ther's this ona quick google search

Well there you go.

How was this poll conducted? Was it online? Was it asked at random or were they targeting sports enthusiasts? Was it in person? Too many variables. Give a link.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/fir ... ted-states

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/relegatio ... 52?cc=5901

[BadWolf]

tohelp you

a monthly telephone survey of 1,500 Americans ages 12 and over

[JellosJigglin]

tohelp you

a monthly telephone survey of 1,500 Americans ages 12 and over

Thanks. That's still not enough info. I don't doubt that there are pockets of America where he might be popular. Like I said earlier, the largest demographic of soccer fans in north America are immigrants from Latin America. I just read Messi is from Argentina, which is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. If the calls were made to major cities, where there are entire neighborhoods of Latin Americans, that could skew the results. Also, the younger their age, the more likely they are to have some type of connection to soccer since many preteens play it. Twelve is a pretty young age to include in a survey. I'd also imagine the majority of the answers went to the top 3 or 4 athletes, so the drop off to seventh is likely huge. Still, thanks for sharing. That is interesting.

[BadWolf]

You're basically saying you'll disregarding any data that's not consistent with your opinion.

[Johnny Firpo]

That 1000+ random household phone call survey is actually very standard, and gives a fairly precise data. That is an astonishing result for Messi, and clearly proves he is the most famous athlete in the world at the moment.

[Johnny Firpo]

Thanks. That's still not enough info. I don't doubt that there are pockets of America where he might be popular. Like I said earlier, the largest demographic of soccer fans in north America are immigrants from Latin America. I just read Messi is from Argentina, which is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. If the calls were made to major cities, where there are entire neighborhoods of Latin Americans, that could skew the results. Also, the younger their age, the more likely they are to have some type of connection to soccer since many preteens play it. Twelve is a pretty young age to include in a survey. I'd also imagine the majority of the answers went to the top 3 or 4 athletes, so the drop off to seventh is likely huge. Still, thanks for sharing. That is interesting.

They call random households, your argument about latin american neighbourhoods is not very legit for this conversation.

[Damas]

tohelp you

a monthly telephone survey of 1,500 Americans ages 12 and over

Thanks. That's still not enough info. I don't doubt that there are pockets of America where he might be popular. Like I said earlier, the largest demographic of soccer fans in north America are immigrants from Latin America. I just read Messi is from Argentina, which is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. If the calls were made to major cities, where there are entire neighborhoods of Latin Americans, that could skew the results. Also, the younger their age, the more likely they are to have some type of connection to soccer since many preteens play it. Twelve is a pretty young age to include in a survey. I'd also imagine the majority of the answers went to the top 3 or 4 athletes, so the drop off to seventh is likely huge. Still, thanks for sharing. That is interesting.

Is this guy serious or is he trolling? No seriously I haven't read anything more ridiculous in my life.

[SlowPaced]

JellosJigglin guy is not worth arguing with hence me not even bothering to write an answer to him.

To the other guys, you're missing the point.

Football = Every country besides the US and Canada. Not just Europe.
Basketball = Almost every country with significantly less attention paid to it.
American football = Only North American fans.

Therefore comparing the popularity of Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi is fair, but Peyton Manning and Lionel Messi is not. A fair comparison to Peyton Manning would be the best cricket player in the world who I'm not familiar with because only Commonwealth nations care about that sport. Much like only Americans caring about American football.

[Von Oswald]

This discussion is so pointless anyway. It has accomplished nothing, the fate of humanity it's the same as before, the Heat will three-peat, the raptors will suck, etcetera

[superLuigi21]

lol "messi wood"

[Don Draper]

JellosJigglin guy is not worth arguing with hence me not even bothering to write an answer to him.

To the other guys, you're missing the point.

Football = Every country besides the US and Canada. Not just Europe.
Basketball = Almost every country with significantly less attention paid to it.
American football = Only North American fans.

Therefore comparing the popularity of Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi is fair, but Peyton Manning and Lionel Messi is not. A fair comparison to Peyton Manning would be the best cricket player in the world who I'm not familiar with because only Commonwealth nations care about that sport. Much like only Americans caring about American football.

I would even say you can't compare American football to cricket. Cricket is widely popular in the Carribean and the most popular sport in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It's also very popular in former British territories (ie. Nigeria and South Africa)