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Latest Episodes:

The Making of Messi: Part Two - Coming to America Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

In the second episode of this documentary series, presenter Mike Zimmermann explores what Lionel Messi’s arrival will mean for American Soccer.

Pablo Maurer looks back at the stars who have tried to crack the USA, while Felipe Cardenas looks ahead to how Messi and Inter Miami will attempt to build on this.

You'll also hear from Ex-MLS players Bradley Wright-Phillips and Nedum Onuoha, who talk us through playing Soccer in the States, and how they think the Argentine will fit in.

Produced by Jay Beale.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Making of Messi: Part One - Becoming the GOAT Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to the Making of Messi, our new three-part narrative series.

Following in the footsteps of former stars of the footballing world like Pele, David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi is attempting to crack the US with his move to Inter Miami.

The Argentine has won it all in domestic and international football over a glittering career at Barcelona, PSG and for his country, Argentina.

In the first episode of this audio documentary series, presenter Mike Zimmermann takes us on the journey of Messi becoming, in many people’s eyes, the greatest of all-time, or GOAT.

We go back to Messi’s roots in Rosario, Argentina, hearing from Felipe Cardenas on his early years, Pol Ballus provides insight on his 20-year spell at Barcelona, and Tom Williams recounts his time at PSG.

James Horncastle assesses his international career, which reached its peak in that epic 2022 World Cup win in Qatar.

You’ll also hear from Michael Cox on Messi the footballer, and Nick Miller on the Messi the man, and the money.

Produced by Mike Stavrou.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Football on Turkey's Fault Line: Part Two - 'Kahraman' means Hero Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

In part two, The Athletic's Adam Leventhal continues his journey along the Turkish fault line, to reveal more stories of remarkable heroism, tragedy and finding refuge in football, four months on from the earthquakes.

As all eyes fall on Istanbul and the glamour of a Champions League final, Adam finds a technical director who pulled five people out of the rubble, the story of a goalkeeper's wife whose cry for help sent shockwaves around the world, and visits Iskenderenspor - the team that played on.

Produced by Adonis Pratsides

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Football on Turkey's Fault Line: Part One - Christian Atsu's Hatayspor Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

In the first of this two-part audio documentary series, The Athletic's Adam Leventhal heads to the capital of Turkey's south-eastern province of Hatay - home of first-division side Hatayspor - where former Ghana international and Premier League winger Christian Atsu scored a last-minute free kick, just hours before the first earthquake hit on February 6th.

Adam interviews head coach and former Turkish international goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, as well as various other people connected to Hatayspor, about their lasting memories of Atsu and how the football club is trying to help an entire community rebuild.

It's a harrowing insight into the realities of surviving a natural disaster and the scale of the destruction.

Produced by Adonis Pratsides

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby '90: Episode 4, "My Last and Greatest Team" Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

This is Bobby 90, a four-part special podcast series from The Athletic to mark what would have been Sir Bobby Robson's 90th birthday. In this final episode of the series, Sir Bobby talks about his various battles with cancer and the establishing of the charitable foundation in his name.

As preparation for his final book, Sir Bobby looked back over his remarkable life-story with George Caulkin. Thanks to the generosity of Sir Bobby's family we are able to publish the recording of those conversations, featuring memories of his life as a miner's son, watching some of the greatest ever Newcastle United teams, and embarking on an incredible football career of his own.

We also hear the moving story of Sir Bobby's repeated bouts of cancer and how he came to launch his "last and greatest team", the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The shows were written by Sir Bobby Robson and George Caulkin, mixed and edited by Ollie Bellwood.

For more information, and to donate, please go to http://sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby '90: Episode 3, "Back at Full Pelt" Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

This is Bobby 90, a four-part special podcast series from The Athletic to mark what would have been Sir Bobby Robson's 90th birthday. In the third episode of the series, Sir Bobby talks about his dream managerial job at Newcastle and his relationship with the fans.

We also hear the moving story of Sir Bobby's repeated bouts of cancer and how he came to launch his "last and greatest team", the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The shows were written by Sir Bobby Robson and George Caulkin, mixed and edited by Ollie Bellwood.

For more information, and to donate, please go to http://sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby '90: Episode 2, "I Don't Think There's Been a Manager in the Game Like Me" Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

This is Bobby 90, a four-part special podcast series from The Athletic to mark what would have been Sir Bobby Robson's 90th birthday. In the second episode of the series, Sir Bobby takes us through his various managerial stints at England, Barcelona and his hunger for success everywhere he went.

We also hear the moving story of Sir Bobby's repeated bouts of cancer and how he came to launch his "last and greatest team", the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The shows were written by Sir Bobby Robson and George Caulkin, mixed and edited by Ollie Bellwood.

For more information, and to donate, please go to http://sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby '90: Episode 1, "A Proud Miner's Son" Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

This is Bobby 90, a four-part special podcast series from The Athletic to mark what would have been Sir Bobby Robson's 90th birthday. In the first episode of the series, Sir Bobby talks about his childhood and growing up in the north east.

We also hear the moving story of Sir Bobby's repeated bouts of cancer and how he came to launch his "last and greatest team", the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The shows were written by Sir Bobby Robson and George Caulkin, mixed and edited by Ollie Bellwood.

For more information, and to donate, please go to http://sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Euro Stories: 2016 Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

On the eve of England's first ever Euro final, we look back at their darkest day in the tournament when Roy Hodgson's side crashed out to Iceland at France 2016. Oh, how we laughed at the time. Elsewhere, Wales made history, Italy and Germany participated in the worst penalty shoot out of all time, and Portugal and Ronaldo had a shot at redemption.

It's Euro 2016, it's brought to you by those who were there from across the continent, and it's right here.

Your experts in this episode:

Stefan Augustsson for Iceland, Rafa Honigstein for Germany, Lynsey Hooper for England, James Horncastle for Italy, Tom Kundert for Portugal, Julien Laurens for France, Kristof Terreur for Belgium, and Tom Williams for Wales

Your charming host is Iain Macintosh and your ace producer is Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Euro Stories: 2012 Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

It's the year the world was supposedly destined to end, but thankfully the Mayan calendar wasn't synced with ours and 2012 carried on meaning we could enjoy Euro 2012!

Four years after tiki taka graced our pitches, it's back and ready for more - but are we? This is the tournament that brought two groups of death, Andy Carroll, and a lot of spying.

It's Euro 2012, it's brought to you by those who were there from across the continent, and it's right here.

Teams:

Group A: Czech Republic, Greece, Poland Russia

Group B: Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Portugal

Group C: Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Spain

Group D: England, France, Sweden, Ukraine

Voices:

Host: Iain Macintosh

Guests: Elko Born, Sasha Guryunov Rafael Honigstein, Lynsey Hooper, James Horncastle, Themis Kesaris, Tom Kundert, Julien Laurens, Alvaro Romeo

Notes

Get yourself an Athletic subscription here for just £1 a month for six months!

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