The Athletic FC Presents...
The Athletic FC Presents... is a podcast from The Athletic that features audio documentaries and special series covering various topics in sports. The show delves into in-depth stories and narratives, offering listeners a deeper look at the world of athletics. It is hosted on Acast and provides a platform for compelling sports storytelling.
Episodes
Gordon Ramsay: Why I Love The Beautiful Game
Gordon Ramsay is one of the world's leading chefs and is cosy with with all corners of high society. He's friends with David Beckham, he's played soccer with Diego Maradona and he's cooked for Pele. In the latest episode of The Athletic's 'Why I Love The Beautiful Game' World Cup series, Ramsay opens up about how close he came to making it as a soccer professional and why his two biggest loves in
Wagner Moura: Why I Love The Beautiful Game
You know Wagner Moura from his starring roles portraying Pablo Escobar in Narcos and and The Secret Agent. What you may not know is his love of soccer. The first Brazilian actor to win or be nominated in his category at the Golden Globes, Moura is a life-long soccer obsessive. In the latest episode from The Athletic's 'Why I Love The Beautiful Game' series, Moura tells us why his first memories ar
Tom Hiddleston: Why I Love The Beautiful Game
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 discu
Zohran Mamdani: Why I Love The Beautiful Game
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani's personal love affair with soccer is well documented, but he wants the rest of New York City to fall in love with sport too. In the latest instalment of The Athletic's 'Why I Love The Beautiful Game' World Cup series, Mamdani talks about his own World Cup memories, how Arsenal can take the next step and how he fought for discounted ticket prices for New Yorkers.
Brandon Aubrey: Why I Love The Beautiful Game
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 Beautif
Brian Cox: Why I Love The Beautiful Game
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
The World Cup and War
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.T
Anatomy of a Transfer: Your Questions Answered
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, M
Can sport make huge profits sustainably?
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 physi
The Underground World of Illegal Streaming
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 l
Inside the world of Premier League referees
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 w
Transfers that shook the world: Sol Campbell to Arsenal
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 bitt
Transfers that shook the world: Carlos Tevez to Manchester City
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?Hos
Transfers that shook the world: Ashley Cole to Chelsea
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 betraya
Transfers that shook the world: Robin Van Persie to Man United
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
Transfers that shook the world: Fernando Torres to Chelsea
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
Transfers that shook the world: Luís Figo to Real Madrid
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 l
At what cost? Saudi Arabia and soccer
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
The Most Powerful Man in World Football
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 f
A World Cup Divided: Trump and 2026
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 t
The Underground World of Fake Football Shirts
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 LeventhalMixing: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Abi Pa
It's Over: The Trial of Luis Rubiales
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 o
Anatomy of a Transfer
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 pl
The Story of the Guinea Stadium Disaster
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 a
Sudan: Football and the Forgotten War
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
Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 4: European ambitions and the Ivan Toney dilemma
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 Chi
Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 3: Eriksen, Rowan, and the Heart of West London
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 stor
Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 2: How to build a Premier League team
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
Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 1: A bus stop in Hounslow
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
The Making of Messi: Part Three - Leaving a Legacy
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 ini
The Making of Messi: Part Two - Coming to America
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 thr
The Making of Messi: Part One - Becoming the GOAT
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.
Football on Turkey's Fault Line: Part Two - 'Kahraman' means Hero
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 wh
Football on Turkey's Fault Line: Part One - Christian Atsu's Hatayspor
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 Turk
Bobby '90: Episode 4, "My Last and Greatest Team"
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. Than
Bobby '90: Episode 3, "Back at Full Pelt"
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 o
Bobby '90: Episode 2, "I Don't Think There's Been a Manager in the Game Like Me"
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 Caul
Bobby '90: Episode 1, "A Proud Miner's Son"
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 ar
Euro Stories: 2016
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 w
Euro Stories: 2012
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 wer
Euro Stories: 2008
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 reall
Euro Stories: 2004
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 200
Euro Stories: 2000
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 t
Euro Stories: 1996
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.TeamsGroup A: England, Netherlands, Scotland and SwitzerlandGroup B: Bulga
Euro Stories: 1992
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 SwedenGroup 2: CIS, Germany, The Netherlands and ScotlandVoicesHost: Iain MacintoshGuests: Elko Born, Niels Harild, James Horncastl
Euro Stories: 1988
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.TeamsGroup 1: Denmark, Italy, Spain, and West GermanyGroup 2: England, Ireland, Netherlands, and the Soviet UnionVoicesH
Justin Fashanu: The Untold Story of Britain's First Gay Footballer
Justin Fashanu would have been 60 this year. Everyone knows how he died, but what about how he lived? This 'Beyond The Headline' special explores Fashanu's experiences as a result of becoming the first British male footballer to come out as gay, the struggles and contradictions of his life, a complicated legacy and its impact on the sport today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info
3. Neymar - The Transfer That Changed The World
The €222million fee that PSG paid for Neymar is so big that it may never be topped, but its significance extends far beyond that. We explain how it changed football in France, how it contributed to Leo Messi almost leaving Barcelona, and how it allowed Liverpool to build their current great team… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2. Neymar - The Transfer That Changed The World
In the summer of 2017, PSG had absolutely no plans to sign Neymar or any superstar, intending instead to build sensibly. Then they got a call that changed not only their plans, but the football world. This is how and why the most significant transfer of all time happened… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1. Neymar - The Transfer That Changed The World
Neymar was a household name before he even made his debut for Santos. We explore how he quickly became the most important player for not only his club but country, his controversial move to Barcelona and what should have been his greatest night at the Nou Camp… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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