Sure that it is better from a fan perspective. But what is unique is more precious. Like in Eminem's song: "if you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted, one moment, would you capture it, or just let it slip?" Now for a skater in ladies there is truly one shot to capture the OGM after years and years of training and competitions. Trusova, Scherbakova, Kihira even Valieva as 2026 OGM contenders? I would rather say no than yes. That's why the drama, that's why the emphasis.
Why not? She's been the absolute master of her craft, one of the most successful figure skaters in history, regularly winning in popularity contests, respected by opponents and adored by fans. You can't compare the SPORTS, it's prosperity and populariry, but you can compare the ATHLETES within. Besides, it's much about demographics as well - ask preteen Russian girl about Zagitova, Messi and Ronaldo and she will reply Alina skates in Jacksons and she doesn't know two other brands.Of course she cannot possibly be compared to people like Messi or RonaldoNot even Yuzuru can. They are multi millionaires. Then have fan merch. They are international celebrities. Go anywhere in the world and people know those names. Ask someone on the street outside of Russia about Alina Zagitova, or any skater, and they'll have never heard of them. Figure skating is not a popular sport and never will be.
Russia and Japan are the best we can do, the rest of the world doesn't care really.
I don't think there is a thing like not well deserved popularity. Popularity is popularity. Alina is indeed lacking a bit of drama in her popularity profile. She is seen as the very beautiful extremely successful figure skater. she is not as sparkling and interesting as zhenya for example. Everything is too smooth. While Zhenya is full of drama in everything she does (skates at nationals, public fall out with lifetime coach and reconciliation, traitor, but comming back to mother russia, intense looks, meltdown performances, covid, too thing too fat, and on and on) . If Alina doesn't add something interesting in her profile, or some sort of drama, she will be forgotten very soon. She is quit far away from beeing a legend. How about public fall out with Tarasova or Yagoudin?
She obviously doesn't like them and both of them would fire back full blast for sure
I don't think there is a thing like not well deserved popularity. Popularity is popularity. Alina is indeed lacking a bit of drama in her popularity profile. She is seen as the very beautiful extremely successful figure skater. she is not as sparkling and interesting as zhenya for example. Everything is too smooth. While Zhenya is full of drama in everything she does (skates at nationals, public fall out with lifetime coach and reconciliation, traitor, but comming back to mother russia, intense looks, meltdown performances, covid, too thing too fat, and on and on) . If Alina doesn't add something interesting in her profile, or some sort of drama, she will be forgotten very soon. She is quit far away from beeing a legend. How about public fall out with Tarasova or Yagoudin?
I don't think Zagitova is hungry enough for pork to go out and hunt for it.How about public fall out with Tarasova or Yagoudin?
Compare athletes? Messi's considered once-in-a-generation type of a talent if not more(with another one like that in Ronaldo) while Zagitova's outperformed athletically by people immediately following her, lika Kostornaya, Trusova, Shcherbakova etc. and the list will only grow.Why not? She's been the absolute master of her craft, one of the most successful figure skaters in history, regularly winning in popularity contests, respected by opponents and adored by fans. You can't compare the SPORTS, it's prosperity and populariry, but you can compare the ATHLETES within. Besides, it's much about demographics as well - ask preteen Russian girl about Zagitova, Messi and Ronaldo and she will reply Alina skates in Jacksons and she doesn't know two other brands.
Messi, an once-in-a-generation athletic talent? Are you kidding me?
Well, that's the point. That's why you can't compare football stars to figure skaters.
...you cannot be serious. He may not be physically commanding, but there is absolutely no doubt that is he a once-in-a-generation kind of talent. You cannot have even the slightest knowledge of football and deny this. But then again, you wouldn't be saying clueless things like "if Messi was half the winner Maradonna was, he would've won the world cup twice". Football is not an individual sport, and tactics (which were nothing compared to what they've evolved to become today) have developed a LONG way from the 80s, making it harder for forwards to just run through brute force through defenders and score. In short, it's gotten harder than ever for one person to carry a team but Messi has still managed to do so throughout his career. And many people will argue that Messi is more technically gifted than Maradonna and Ronaldinho, so I'm not sure why you find it so ridiculous that he is undeniably a legend of the sport and arguably the greatest player of all time. Speaking strictly on what Messi means to football and what Alina means to figure skating, there simply is no comparison. He'll be talked about as one of the greatest talents of all time in decades to come. And I'd think even hardcore Alina fans would agree with this.Messi, an once-in-a-generation athletic talent? Are you kidding me?
Guy is short, unproportionally built, not naturally muscular at all, needed growth hormone as a kid to even take on sports, while
Alina in her best competitive shape looked like a supermodel with supernatural stamina. You must have confused personages we're discussing.
Wait I thought we were discussing sport not a beauty pageant or a bodybuilding competition for who has the hottest, muscular body. Having tons of muscle doesnt automatically makes you a better athletes esp in football. Its not American football where its more about brute strength. Also Messi being short is actually an advantage for him because his center of gravity is lower therefore his balance is much easier. Thats why he can do all those crazy dribbles.Messi, an once-in-a-generation athletic talent? Are you kidding me?
Guy is short, unproportionally built, not naturally muscular at all, needed growth hormone as a kid to even take on sports, while
Alina in her best competitive shape looked like a supermodel with supernatural stamina. You must have confused personages we're discussing.
Ever seen Messi play football?Messi, an once-in-a-generation athletic talent? Are you kidding me?
Guy is short, unproportionally built, not naturally muscular at all, needed growth hormone as a kid to even take on sports, while
Alina in her best competitive shape looked like a supermodel with supernatural stamina. You must have confused personages we're discussing.
To be fair, a footballer retiring at age 18 would be much like a figure skater retiring at about 13. An 18 year old footballer is pretty much in the very beginning stages of his career in present day football. Messi was already well established as one of the best talents of his generation at age 21 and was widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time at age 25. A footballer's prime years is generally in his late 20s to early 30s. If Messi had been performing at his peak in his teenage years and retired at age 18, people would surely remember him but he wouldn't be the legend he is today. Furthermore, it is absolutely not true that the athletic skills required to succeed in football have stayed the same, but that discussion would get far too long. But this is straying from the point. My point is, and not addressing you, that you CANNOT compare Alina to figure skating and Messi to football.
Agreed, but it's not me who used "once-in-a-generation athletic talent" phrase. I respect Messi, he's certainly my top 5 footballer of all time, still he wouldn't be my top 500 athletic talent, that's all. I have no idea why Shayuki used that argument supporting Messi's greatness.
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Pork? Did u just body shame TAT?
Who's talking pretty? Can't you see the girl has been perfect jumping/power/rotational machine with long, graceful legs and arms letting her rock those swan/ballerina extentions? Add to this her insane stamina (she sad after her Olympic FS she could skate one more right away) and you understand she's unique physical phenomenon.
