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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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/

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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.

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.

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 first episode of the series, Sir Bobby talks about his childhood and growing up in the north east.

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.

Online searches for fake football shirts have gone up by over 500% since 2021, with the Premier league counterfeit market worth over £180m.

But what damage could they be causing you and others?

Adam Leventhal has spent the last nine months investigating the illicit trade of counterfeits, and uncovered some shocking details along the way.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Mixing: Jay Beale

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Featuring footage from: Sky News, Arsenal, Manchester United, Aston Villa, sdpeasyy, Culture Force

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

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.

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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It's 2008 and the world is obsessed with Barack Obama and Beyonce, over here we're more interested in events at Austria and Switzerland because it's Euro 2008 and it's great.

Yes, there's no England, they failed in the rain at Wembley against Croatia. But there's Spain's tiki taka, Turkey's late late goal scoring, and one hell of a thunderstorm. Oh, and there's the French doing, well, nothing really.

It's Euro 2008 and it's here.

Voices:

Host: Iain Macintosh

Guests: Elko Born, Sasha Goryunov, Rafael Honigstein, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens, Alvaro Romeo, Juraj Vrdoljak, and Yordi Yamali

Notes

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

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

We arrive at 2004, the year of Frankee and Eamonn's musical back and forth, the blackberry, and one of the most unexpected tournaments in Euros history.

We're in Portugal where there are teams on the up, like England, and teams on the down, like Germany. And this time there's a dark horse that no one expects will actually do anything apart from enjoy being there. How we never learn.

This is Euro 2004 brought to you by the voices that lived and breathed it from across the continent.

Teams:

Group A: Greece, Portugal, Russia, Spain

Group B: Croatia, England, France, Switzerland

Group C: Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy, Sweden

Group D: Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands

Voices:

Host: Iain Macintosh

Guests: Elko Born, David Cermak, Rafael Honigstein, Lynsey Hooper, James Horncastle, Themis Kessaris, Tom Kundert, and Julien Laurens

Notes

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

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

Ladies and gentlemen, it's the year 2000 and whilst we might all have enjoyed some Roman Gladiator gore at the cinema, sending pictures via text, and donning our Juicy Couture tracksuits (oo, get you) there's some serious football to be played.

Specifically in the regions of Belgium and The Netherlands as 16 of the best teams in Europe gathered to do battle. This tournament brought us the madness that was FR Yugoslavia 3-4 Spain, a big England win followed by a bigger England loss, and a team that really solidified its status as the best.

This is Euro 2000 brought to you by the voices that lived and breathed it from across the continent.

Teams

Group A: England, Germany, Romania, Portugal

Group B: Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Turkey

Group C: FR Yugoslavia, Norway, Slovenia, Spain

Group D: Czech Republic, Denmark, France, The Netherlands

Voices

Host: Iain Macintosh

Guests: Elko Born, Rafael Honigstein, Lynsey Hooper, James Horncastle, Sasa Ibrulj, Tom Kundert, Julien Laurens, Alvaro Romeo, and Kristof Terreur

Notes

Get yourself an Athletic subscription here

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

Football's coming home to England in this Euro 96 episode - if you can bear to relive it! We've got twice the amount of teams as before, a lot of optimism, and, of course, twists and turns as one team really ruffles some feathers. It's Euro 96 brought to you by the voices that lived and breathed it from across the continent.

Teams

Group A: England, Netherlands, Scotland and Switzerland

Group B: Bulgaria, France, Romania and Spain

Group C: Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Russia

Group D: Croatia, Denmark, Portugal and Turkey

Voices

Host: Iain Macintosh

Guests: David Cermak, Niels Harild, Rafael Honigstein, James Horncastle, Sasa Ibrulj, Oliver Kay, Julien Laurens, Alvaro Romeo, Stewart Weir

Notes

Get yourself an Athletic subscription here

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

It's 1992 and we are in Sweden for a tournament full of twists and turns, and a surprise addition who no one expects much off. Join journalists from across the continent as they relive this contest and its unexpected results.

Teams

Group 1: Denmark, England, France and Sweden

Group 2: CIS, Germany, The Netherlands and Scotland

Voices

Host: Iain Macintosh

Guests: Elko Born, Niels Harild, James Horncastle, Rafael Honigstein, Sasa Ibrulj, Oliver Kay, Julien Laurens, Olof Lundh, and Stewart Weir.

Notes

Get yourself an Athletic subscription here

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

This is the story of Euro 88 told by experts from across the continent bringing their memories and stories as well as the facts and the iconic moments from the tournament. Without a single goalless draw or a sending off it is a tournament filled with drama and unexpected moments.

Teams

Group 1: Denmark, Italy, Spain, and West Germany

Group 2: England, Ireland, Netherlands, and the Soviet Union

Voices

Host: Iain Macintosh

Guests: Elko Born, Dion Fanning, Sasha Goryunov, James Horncastle, Rafael Honigstein, Oliver Kay.

Notes

Get yourself an Athletic subscription here

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

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

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

In August 2023, on the pitch in Sydney, Australia, Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso's life changed. But not in the way it should have.In a moment that became more widely known as "The Kiss" former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales, grabbed Hermoso's face and planted a kiss on her lips.

It became front page news around the world.In February 2025, Rubiales went on trial for one count of sexual assault and one of coercion. If he was found guilty of both counts, the prosecution was asking for a two and a half year prison sentence.In the end, following a two week trial, Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault but not guilty of coercion.

So, how did we get to this ruling?

Meg Linehan guides you through the full story, with the help of The Athletic's Spanish reporters, from the pitch in Sydney, to the hills of south Spain, over to the court room of Madrid. And ultimately ask one question, se acabó? Is it over?

______________________________

Credits

Host: Meg Linehan.

Contributors: Dermot Corrigan, Guillermo Rai, Laia Cervello and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero.

Producer: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

Executive Producers: Abi Paterson and Emily Olsen

Featuring footage from: ABC News, Sky Sports, Al Jazeera, The Independent, Sky News, France 24 English, Fox, Jenni Hermoso Instagram, RFEF

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

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

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

Football fans are desperate for transfer news - and it's often bigger than the sport itself.

Open twice a year - in January and the summer - the transfer window changes the game.

But what actually goes on when deals are made?

Join Adam Leventhal as he goes behind the scenes at training grounds, stadiums and offices to explain the anatomy of a transfer and to breakdown the complex process of what a player goes through when they move from club to club.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Exec Prod: Abi Paterson

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

On December 1, one of the world’s worst stadium disasters unfolded. At the Stade du 3 Avril in Nzerekore, Guinea, a devastating crush led to chaos and, according to officials, the deaths of 56 people. But domestic human rights organisations believe they have verified that at least 135 people lost their lives that day.

The Athletic travelled to Nzerekore to visit the stadium, analyse what happened and speak to eyewitnesses and relatives of those involved. They are grieving and searching for the truth.

Content Warning: This show contains reporting that some listeners may find upsetting

Host: Adam Leventhal

Producer: Abi Paterson

News reporting: Channel 4, France News, Sky News

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

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. It continues to this day leaving in its wake the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.

Despite this, Sudan’s national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and tops its World Cup qualification group.

They are a source of hope to a nation left in ruins.

In this special episode of The Athletic FC Documentary we’ll take you into the war torn country where amateur matches continue amid the shelling, and football grounds have become burial grounds.

At a refugee camp in neighbouring Chad, we’ll hear of the horrors of war and how football is helping children there.

And hear how geo political influence, immigration and perilous journeys over land and sea are part of this journey with Sudan, football and a war struggling to be seen and heard.

Credits

Written and presented by Adam Leventhal

Produced by Abi Paterson

Additional reporting in collaboration with Tom Rhodes and Zemenfes Goudos GebreMikael

Featuring footage from beIN Sport, Al Jazeera, British Pathé, Sky News, Fairshot, SuperSport, Sudan FA 

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

To round up our series on Brentford we answer the outstanding questions on the Bees.

What next for star striker Ivan Toney following his ban from football by the FA?

How far up the Premier League table can the club go?

And what are the club doing behind the scenes to ensure that they can keep improving year on year?

Plus we hear about the women's team and how the club are supporting them.

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, and Technical Director Lee Dykes on all this - and their thoughts on what the future holds for the club.

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

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

Brentford Football Club suffered a devastating loss to their staff in November 2018 when Technical Director Robert Rowan passed away in his sleep aged just 28 due to a fatal cardiomyopathy episode.

Christian Eriksen, the Danish international who had a heart attack on the pitch in 2021, was lucky. He survived and went on to play for Brentford from January 2022.

In this episode we bring you their stories and tell you about the work that the club is doing with their community to raise awareness for heart charities.

Hear from Robert's wife Suzanne Rowan, Head Coach Thomas Frank, Captain Christian Norgaard, Director of Football Phil Giles, B Team Head Coach Neil MacFarlane, Technical Director Lee Dykes and Director Nity Raj

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

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

What are the questions reporter Jay Harris gets asked the most? How does Brentford's recruitment work? And are they the moneyball club?

Well in episode two we get all the answers, or at least as many as we could, from the staff and players at Brentford FC.

Hear from Technical Director Lee Dykes as he explains how he's built a unique data system to make sure Brentford can recruit the very best talent, at a much cheaper price than the rest of the Premier League. Plus he tells us how he builds squads and why he has 16 positions on the field, not 11.

Players Ben Mee and Christian Norgaard explain what persuaded them to join the West London outfit.

You'll also hear from Director of Football Phil Giles and manager Thomas Frank.

Oh, and don't call them moneyball.

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

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

There's been two football tournaments in the United States this summer, the Club World Cup and the Gold Cup. Both with an ostensible Saudi feel, all part of grand plan to invest heavily in sport backed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Adam Leventhal has travelled to Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas to witness this soft power at play. Hear from Saudi players and fans who celebrate the exposure afforded by these tournaments, but also, crucially, those who fear its impact. All with an eye on the future when Saudi Arabia will be hosting the 2034 Men's World Cup.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Producer: Jesse Howard

Exec Producer: Abi Paterson

Featuring footage from: DAZN, Fox News, CBS News, France 24 News, FIFA

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

Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to July 2001, when Sol Campbell completed perhaps the most controversial move in Premier League history.

More than 20 years on, why are feelings still so strong? And was Campbell vindicated in swapping Spurs for their bitter rivals Arsenal?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Amy Lawrence & Danny Kelly

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke & Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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

Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to July 2009 when Carlos Tevez swapped the red half of Manchester for blue.

So why was the move quite so controversial - and how symbolic was it in shifting the balance of power in the hunt for Premier League dominance?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Andy Mitten & Oli Kay

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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

Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to the summer of 2006, and a saga that saw rival lines crossed from the North to West of London as Ashley Cole traded boyhood club Arsenal for rising force Chelsea.

So why was the acrimonious move considered such a betrayal? And how did the deal signify a power shift in capital as the blue side of London rose to prominence?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Simon Johnson & James McNicholas

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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

Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to August 2012, when Arsenal captain Robin van Persie crossed a divide that had defined a Premier League era…

So why was van Persie determined to swap the Emirates for Old Trafford - and did the move ultimately prove to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s final masterstroke at Manchester United?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: David Ornstein, Amy Lawrence, Oli Kay & Andy Mitten

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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

Welcome to Transfers that Shook the World, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to January 2011 when Chelsea broke the British transfer record to sign Liverpool’s No.9, Fernando Torres.

So why was Torres’ move from Liverpool to Chelsea so controversial and was he a success at Stamford Bridge?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Simon Hughes and Dom Fifield

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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

Welcome to Transfers that shook the world, a summer series for The Athletic FC looking back on the moves that sparked fury and saw heroes become villains.

Today we’re heading back to July 2000 - when Luís Figo did the unthinkable and made the move from Barcelona to Real Madrid…

It was a transfer that sent shockwaves through La Liga and went down in footballing folklore - but a quarter of a century later, how is it viewed now? And how pivotal was it in shaping the modern day Real Madrid?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Pol Ballús, José Antonio Espina & Andy Mitten

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producers: Guy Clarke and Lucy Oliva

Sound Design: Jay Beale

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

Referees are integral to football. But with every decision scrutinised, why would anyone want to be a referee?

The Athletic has been given insider access to the life of Premier League referees. From a gruelling pre-season training camp to matchday, join Adam Leventhal as he finds out what it takes to take command of the football pitch.

We'll explain the new laws you'll see this season and the refs will explain why they should benefit the game.

You'll hear from PGMO chief, Howard Webb, current Premier League refs Andy Madeley and Peter Bankes, the latest VAR recruits, and many more.

Join us as we take you inside the world of referees.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Exec Prod: Abi Paterson

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

Does the rise of illegal streaming pose an existential threat to football?

To answer that question, Adam Leventhal has spent the last six months looking into the culture, crime and crisis associated with pirating live football matches.

In this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast you'll hear undercover reporting and behind the scenes access to police investigations, including how the world's largest illegal sports streaming platform was taken down.

We get the takes of match-going fans, and ask if 'Premflix' is the future of Premier League broadcasting?

If you're an Athletic subscriber you can have your say here.

And if you're not yet a subscriber, join here and have your say.

Please note that the documentary has content some listeners may find upsetting.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Mixing: Jay Beale

Producer: Abi Paterson

Featuring footage from Amazon, Sky Sports, tallkSPORT, Leaders.

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

The global sports industry is booming — already worth an estimated $2.3 trillion a year, with projections suggesting it could almost triple by 2050. But according to a new report from the World Economic Forum, that growth is far from guaranteed.

In this episode of The Athletic FC, Matt Slater digs into the findings of Sports for People and Planet, a report that warns climate change and rising physical inactivity could threaten sport’s long-term business model. So how can sport — and football in particular — continue to grow without undermining its own future?

First, Matt speaks to Tony Simpson, one of the report’s authors from consultancy firm Oliver Wyman, to unpack the numbers and the risks facing the industry. Then, attention turns to the club level, with insights from Rishi Jain of Liverpool FC on how one of football’s biggest institutions is thinking about sustainability, responsibility and profit in the years ahead.

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

Exotic clauses, tapping up and how much agents really get paid. Your questions answered is the transfer special that you control.

Adam Leventhal heads to Malaga and beyond to pose your enquiries to those operating in the transfer market right now.

Contributions and insight comes from 15 representatives from multiple Premier League, European and global clubs — including takes from the U.S., Brazil, Morocco, Japan and Australia — and financial and legal experts with a deep knowledge of the transfer business.

Scouts, sporting directors, agents and former players telling you what it's really like working in the transfer business.

Writer & Presenter: Adam Leventhal

Producer: Jay Beale

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

This summer's World Cup in North America is the biggest in size and scale and now, arguably, the most controversial. The tournament kicks off in less than 40 days. Co-hosts USA remain at war with Iran, with fellow Middle East participants and historic allies drawn into the conflict - and FIFA caught in the middle. Travel bans, political protests and fears over ICE guarantee a turbulent countdown.

This special episode hears from players, coaches, fans, regional experts and human rights advocates on the geopolitical backdrop to World Cup 2026.

Presenter: Adam Leventhal

Producer: Paul Iliffe

Audio from: AP, BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, FIFA, England Records, beIN

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

In the first of The Athletic's 'Why I Love The Beautiful Game' World Cup series in which some of the world’s most recognisable and talented people explain what football (or soccer) means to them, The Athletic's Adam Crafton sits down with iconic stage and screen actor Brian Cox. Cox is most known for his role as Logan Roy in HBO's Grammy award winning series Succession, but his roots - and love of football - are based in Dundee, Scotland.

Cox's fondness for the current Arsenal team may be mistaken for allegiance, but that belongs to Manchester United, a Premier League club steeped in Scottish heritage, as he details during this interview from his home in Brooklyn.

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Brandon Aubrey is best-known as the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, having signed a four-year $28 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys in April. Yet he entered the NFL as a 28-year-old rookie, having previously been a first-round pick as a center-back in the Major League Soccer Draft for Toronto FC.

He sits down with The Athletic's Adam Crafton for the latest in the 'Why I Love The Beautiful Game' World Cup series to discuss his fondness for the sport that nearly shaped his career and how far the USMNT can go in the tournament.

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

Tom Hiddleston love for soccer has run alongside his acting career, but long since preceded it. It all started with watching England compete at the European Championship in 1996 and later turned into a love affair with Arsenal when he moved to North London to study acting more than 25 years ago.

In the latest of The Athletic's 'Why I Love The Beautiful Game' World Cup series, the Marvel actor discusses why he's feeling bullish about England's chances this summer - particularly under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.

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