For the seasonal fan, it’s pretty confusing and slightly intimidating. In my opinion, the smart move would be to simply sit back, grab a massive bucket of buttered popcorn, and watch the drama unfold in real time (maybe even drop a few comments from your fake account to trigger the die-hard fans).

We have entered an era where the actual matches feel like background noise for a global soap opera. The debate over who the GOAT is has left behind all common sense. It is now a Facebook comment tournament that runs completely on its own, no matter what happens on the pitch. Every single matchday plays out like a perfect stage play.

If Messi scores a standard penalty, “Penaldo” starts trending among the opposition. Then again, if Ronaldo scores a simple tap-in, the “Pessi” propaganda machine fires up its engines to call it pure luck. His fans will instantly write long essays calling a simple five-yard pass a historic moment of magical genius, while Ronaldo’s supporters immediately print out charts showing his legendary fitness, high-altitude jumps, and incredible diet. No hate intended to either of the players; they are both football geniuses and deserve nothing but love and respect for each of their greatnesses.

At this point, most people have given up on trying to understand the actual tactics of the matches. Why waste energy trying to decode complex defensive lines or midfield shapes when it is way more fun to watch people argue online? Fans will spend hours fighting over the tiny details of how both men play on the field. People will fiercely debate whether Messi’s tactical style, walking around the centre circle to find gaps before suddenly accelerating, is superior to Ronaldo’s modern style of waiting in the penalty box as a precise target man. It is now a multi-million-dollar reality show where every pass is treated like a plot twist.

The real irony of this total focus on two distinct players is that while the world looks left, the actual trophy is quietly moving right. The collective obsession with giving either Messi or Ronaldo a fairytale ending has created a perfect smoke screen for the rest of the teams. While the crowd is watching the social media noise, a few highly organised, incredible teams are moving up the ladder without any heightened internet drama. These teams favour teamwork and perfect discipline over individual fame, and they are parading through the tournament without much attention.

Look at Germany, for instance. While the internet is busy arguing over old video clips, the German squad is preparing to take over the tournament. Led by the brilliant creativity of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, instead of hunting for individual viral clips, these two operate in the half-spaces, pulling apart low blocks with quick, one-touch combinations and dragging central defenders completely out of position to create massive gaps for overlapping full-backs. They do not seem to care about social media narratives at all and are simply letting their tactical teamwork do the talking.

An even bigger surprise is the rise of Norway, making a spectacular return to the world stage. They are forcing everyone to pay attention to a group built on Viking athletics rather than historical politics. On the pitch, their strategy is direct. Martin Ødegaard dictates the entire tempo from midfield, dropping deep to escape pressure before launching curling through balls over the top into the channels. That is where they unleash the incredible physical power of Erling Haaland, who times his runs perfectly to exploit high defensive lines.

(Let’s be honest, if you see a giant Viking running to take the ball from you at top speed, would you save the ball or yourself?) The Norwegians are letting this amazing counter-pressing and strategic finishing do the talking. While everyone else is refreshing their phones for updates on the traditional giant teams, Norway is securing wins and moving into the next rounds. With the public busy arguing over who owns the past, these young squads are making plans to walk away with the solid gold future.

As a traditional Brazil fan, I am naturally obligated by birthright and delusion (obviously) to enter the chat. The hopeful side of me desperately wants to believe that this chaotic media distraction is the perfect setup for a legendary Brazilian comeback. I want to tell you that Neymar Jr. will suddenly step out of the shadows, cut through the drama, end the global debate, and finally bring the long-awaited sixth World Cup home. It is a beautiful thought that helps every fan sleep peacefully at night.

However, if we look at the current situation realistically, the reality is much farther from that. Right now, Neymar is experiencing this World Cup exactly the same way the rest of us are: from an exceptionally comfortable, premium seat in the stadium, watching the drama unfold while wearing an immaculate designer outfit, a pair of large sunglasses, and holding a front-row view of the pitch.

We all know the routine by heart. The talent is always there, waiting to be used. But with his current pace of recovery, Neymar will be on track to reach his absolute physical peak, perfect rhythm, and total optimum state right around the time the groundskeepers are packing up the stadium seats, the international fans have flown home, and the next four-year World Cup cycle is already starting. He will be perfectly ready to crush the tournament exactly when the tournament is over.

Until that moment of perfect fitness arrives, the best thing we can do is keep the popcorn close. The digital theatre is amazing, the comment sections are completely out of control, and the entertainment value is higher than ever. A spectacular show is on air for the next 25 days, right up until a midfielder from Germany or Norway (or Brazil) casually lifts the actual trophy and walks out the back door while everyone else is still arguing online.

Make sure to watch the matches and participate in the debate online (maybe use a few less curse words because a certain colleague of mine might just be on the verge of tears).