The Athletic FC Presents... – Details, episodes & analysis

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, is world football's most powerful man.

His presidency has been marked by the controversial men's World Cups in Russia and Qatar, as well as the awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. But it is the newly-expanded Club World Cup that he hopes to leave as his legacy.

So, who is Gianni Infantino, where did he come from, where is he taking the game, and has he fulfilled his promises?

Join Adam Leventhal as he tracks Infantino's journey from son of migrants to rubbing shoulders with the world's leaders.

Featuring footage from: FIFA, Sky News, ABC News, AFP, iShowSpeed, Eurosport, Channel Four, Reuters, China Global Television Network

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

In Los Angeles, California, four nations collided in a football tournament with an inescapable geopolitical backdrop.

Canada, Mexico and Panama have all found themselves in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump within his first 100 days in office, and they all met, with the US, in the Nations League finals.

Adam Leventhal has been looking into what happens when the sport and politics are thrust together like this speaking with the players, stakeholders and fans to find out how they feel about the various subplots surrounding this tournament and the 2026 World Cup.

How do the co-hosts put on a united front when so much of the talk is of division?

Host: Adam Leventhal

Exec Prod: Abi Paterson

Featuring audio from: The Daily, The Headlines, CBS, NBC, CSPAN, ESPN

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

Jay Harris is given access all areas to one of the most intriguing clubs in the Premier League: Brentford.

The club had the lowest wage bill in the top tier and yet were able to do the double over champions Manchester City and in their short two year stay (so far) in the league, beaten the big six at least once. So how do they do it? That's what we're here to tell you.

First up, a whizz through the history of Brentford since owner Matthew Benham took over.

Hear from Chief Exec Jon Varney, Head Coach Thomas Frank, Captain Christian Norgaard, Performance Director Ben Ryan, Director of Football Phil Giles, Women's Head Coach Karleigh Osbourne, Technical Director Lee Dykes, Director Nity Raj and club announcer Peter Gilham as they tell the Bees' story

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

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

In the third and final episode of this documentary series, presenter Mike Zimmermann explores the legacy that Lionel Messi will leave behind.

Matt Slater explains the motives behind the Saudi Pro League, and why Messi turned down nearly half $1 billion annually in favor of Major League Soccer.

The relationship between Messi and Inter Miami started back in 2018 — Paul Tenorio takes us through the initial interest from Miami, the inner workings of a contract that includes equity and profit-sharing from Apple and Adidas, and how Messi will change Major League Soccer, both on the field and off.

With MLS and Apple partnered for the next 10 years, a broadcast deal worth $2.5 billion, Richard Deitsch describes Lionel Messi's arrival in the US as "a massive catalyst" for Apple's soccer coverage and the media landscape.

You'll also hear from Andrés Cantor, legendary Telemundo Deportes broadcaster, about how Messi is viewed in Argentina leading up to the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup, both being played in the United States.

Produced by Mike Zimmermann.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.