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The Wacky and Wonderful World of English Football Club Nicknames
Every club needs a few things to have an identity, to become more than a collection of yahoos running after a ball: namely a badge, a couple of colours and of course a couple of nicknames. The nicknames are arguably what make certain clubs feel alive. The best ones, the Reds, The Gunners, the Rossoneri…
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The History Behind Italian Football’s Biggest Derbies
The Italians just make everything sound better don’t they? Something as bland as a cloud becomes a beautiful nuvola. The drowsiness encountered after a big meal might already make you feel bloated just hearing about it, but when you call it abiocca, all of a sudden you’re lounging in the sun, without a worry in…
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Johan Cruyff: The Architect of Barcelona’s Legacy
It was the 1992 European Cup (now Champions League) final at Wembley Stadium, London. The showdown was between Spain’s Barcelona and Italy’s Sampdoria. From today’s perspective, it’s easy to assume Barcelona was the favorite. But avid football historians know that Barcelona of 1992 wasn’t the powerhouse it is today. For both teams, the match…
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Casa Pia: The Geese Soaring High in Portugal’s Top-flight
When it comes to Portuguese football, three clubs typically dominate the attention of fans and outsiders: Benfica, Porto, and Sporting. After all, since the advent of Portugal’s top division in 1934, the championship has been won by one of these ‘Three Giants’ — with the exception of Belenenses 1945/46 and Boavista 2000/01. However, there is…
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The Best Penalty Stoppers in Premier League History
In the 53rd minute of their match vs. Everton, Manchester City were awarded a penalty. Erling Haaland stepped up to the spot, seeking to break his goal-scoring duck, and fired a low and powerful effort that was saved by Jordan Pickford. Bernardo Silva headed the rebound towards the path of Haaland who headed home, only…
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Which Players Have Scored in Each of Europe’s Top Five Leagues?
Only a couple of players in football history have managed to score in each of Europe’s top five leagues — but which men have belong in this special group? We’re taking a look: Although the Portuguese and Dutch leagues have certainly done their share to close the gap in recent years, Europe’s top five…
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Why Thierry Henry is the Greatest Premier League Player of All Time
Thierry Henry’s stats and achievements: -360 goals -168 assists -1x World Cup winner -1x UEFA European Championship winner -1x UEFA Champions League winner -2x Premier League winner -2x La Liga winner -2x FA Cup winner -1x Ligue 1 winner -1x UEFA Super Cup winner -1x FIFA Club World Cup winner -6x PFA Team of the…
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The Rise and Fall of Girondins de Bordeaux
It was the 30th of March, 2010. Girondins de Bordeaux had a date with destiny, a chance to make their second ever Champions League semi final and their first in 25 years. Juventus had been the team to deny them a final appearance on that occasion in 1985, beating them 3-0 in the first leg…
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Juan Roman Riquelme: The Last of His Kind
If you were to ask an Argentinian who their greatest ever footballer was, you would expect to hear 2 names – Lionel Messi and Diego Armando Maradona. However, fixed between these two footballing Gods, there is a 3rd, under-appreciated name that would be uttered – Juan Roman Riquelme. Juan Roman Riquelme is an incredibly…
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Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima and the Riddle of a God Amongst Men
I would never have written this piece; after all, it concerns a god, and with gods, there is nothing truly needing to be told. Their wonders precede them, their acts follow, leaving awe and sometimes a mess in their wake. However, when the gods are slighted by mere mortals, the heavens do not remain silent,…
