Jóvenes – Where Are Venezuela’s Golden U20 Generation Now?
With the 22nd edition of the FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup approaching, it is time to look back at one of the most remarkable campaigns in recent memory – that of Venezuela…
At Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, there’s place for everyone
At the Wanda Metropolitano, well after the final whistle, after the medals had been presented and the big-eared trophy lifted, Liverpool’s players and coaching staff started assembling near the end occupied by…
FP In The Stands: The ice and fire of the Stadin Derby
The distinct sounds of chanting could be heard from afar as I approached the Telia 5G Areena in Helsinki. It was around an hour before kick off, but there were police-mounted horses…
Eden, You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
Artists are rarely straightforward and forthcoming about their work. Bob Dylan’s 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks was written and recorded during the end of his relationship with his wife Sara.…
The Oranje Dream: Ajax’s conquest of Madrid
Writer’s Note: This article was written preceding Ajax’s two-legged triumph over Juventus. I hope you still enjoy the content, as we feel this story is still relevant, perhaps now more than ever,…
Spotlight – The constant scrutiny of youngsters in English football
When Declan Rice scored against Newcastle United, the first thing he did was put his finger to his lips to shush the Toon army. His rather stiff attempt at the ‘Gun Lean’…
Football for Everyone?
Football is not for everyone. We do not all get an equal share of the game: some fans more than others. The red taping of the sport comes in many forms. Calling…
José Mourinho and the disadvantages of realizing one’s dreams
“You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it,” argues Marlon Brando as…
Ole Solskjaer’s At The Wheel – A fan looks at the rear-view mirror
What is a football club? It’s not a rhetorical question, and it’s one I keep returning to over the years. Most recently it was when Wayne Rooney, my beloved childhood idol and…
Can We Give Virgil Van Dijk A Cape, Please?
Football has seen multiple rule changes. Ever since Scotland kicked a ball in anger vs England at the first-ever competitive football match on 30 November 1872 at West of Scotland Cricket Club’s…
Caught between Ajax and Man City: The duality of supporting two clubs
Most people live and die by their beloved club and its colors. What about those who have eyes and heart for more? We explore the story of one such fan, who loves…
Mohamed Salah and The Pleasure of Discovery
Is Mo’ Salah’s improbable brilliance a rupture in the European-elite-club-football-spacetime-continuum? Across sports, genres and eras, there is something that snakes its tendrils around the psychology of obsession and unites fans across the…
A view from Paris: Paris Saint Germain and the limits of Ligue 1
We visited Paris Saint Germain to take stock of how what they have built is now their biggest weakness. It’s a cold Saturday in Paris, three days before Christmas, and there’s a…
Escaping the shadows: Federico Higuain in the MLS
Even with all the modern apparel technology, a jersey can still feel heavy when the name on the back means something. Not for Federico Higuain. Having been referred to as ‘Stormzy’s girlfriend’…
Juventus and Their Money – Serie A’s Silver Lined Dark Cloud
Juventus’ recent extravagance in the transfer market may give them a dark hue, but Serie A won’t mind the attention it is now getting. Art comes at a price. Look at the…
José Mourinho at Manchester United: Thirty months of playing with fire
After two and a half seasons of juggling the tightrope at Manchester United, José Mourinho has left. It was probably about time. José Mourinho is a good-looking man. Sharp facial features, salt…
Colliding airwaves: Is the world of football approaching overkill?
Football has become busier. There’s always some match on, some league to follow, some derby to hyperventilate over. Is there a thing like too much football? On 31 October, I found myself…
Milan ’96: The coming of age of Zinedine Zidane
Before the headers at the World Cup final, the volley at Glasgow, there was Milan in ’96, when Zinedine Zidane first gave the world a peek into his genius. Mystics teach union…
The story of Bengaluru FC – The Revolutionaries of Indian football
In Bengaluru FC, India have found a club who have set themselves a target of transforming Indian football from the roots. The Kanteerava doesn’t quite strike you as ominous. Located centrally in…
Admiration, Cristiano Ronaldo: Could we enjoy the work of a ruined man?
Cristiano Ronaldo has never pretended to be a perfect man, but is it time to draw the line between exemplary athlete and one fighting rape allegations? “This never happened. It will shock…
Simple Confession of Love To Stadium Atmosphere
Is there a more pure way of enjoying our sport than watching it along with the thousands of fellow pilgrims of the day? Stadiums are structures of brick and mortar, but on…
Hangin’ with the Kozakken Boys: The back alley of Dutch football
Our in-house Dutch football writer visited semi-pro club Kozakken Boys. While the spectacle was small, an important lesson was learned regarding the future of Dutch football. “Sorry, ik spreek geen Nederlands goed.”…
Harkes at The Wall, Part 3: Football, life and everything in between
We often use Shankly’s life and football quote for explaining the importance of football in our lives, but sometimes, life and football explain each other. I did not enter parenthood gracefully. There…
Harkes at The Wall, Part 2 – A trip to watch Seattle Sounders
Our in-house writer continues on his journey of football, this time as a father going to a Seattle Sounders game with his mates, some of them dads themselves. You can read part…