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The St. Bernard and the Pub Owner: Manchester United Through Ages
The world knows Manchester United as the Red Devils who dominated the English Premier League and housed the biggest footballing names of not just England, but the whole world. But to become the giants of Europe that we are familiar with,…
The Grass Is Greener Where You Water
At 18, I was introduced to football (Yes, the same age Messi signed his first contract as a senior team player). My short-lived experience in football was not marked by great achievements or awards, but it was one that made me fall in love…
The Greatest to Not Win It
Hated, Adored, and Never Ignored. Steven George Gerrard has lived every football lover’s dream life. The local boy, who etched his name in the folklore of his hometown with some of the most audacious individual performances, led his team to…
The Enigmatic? On ‘Arshavin of Arsenal’
‘Arshavin of Arsenal’ is simultaneously a signifier and a non-signifier in many ways. The Russian baller’s stellar career of ten years at Zenit st Petersburg is glossed over to captivate the ebb and flow of his tumultuous days in North…
Has Football Become Too boring?
Football remains arguably the world's most popular sport, captivating billions with its blend of athleticism, strategy, and drama. Yet, a growing sentiment suggests the beautiful game has lost some of its luster, becoming predictable and,…
A look back at Sunderland’s six top-flight titles | Part II
After a weak season by their standards in 1893/94 when they finished second, six points behind Aston Villa, Sunderland returned strongly for the 1894/95 season. Their first game of the season against Derby County at home is a famous one in…
Medicine, Football, and Democracy: The Sócrates Legacy
“My political victories are more important than any victories as a professional player. A match finishes in ninety minutes, but life goes on.” - Sócrates
Can football truly change society? Is it more than just a game, or even greater than…
The False 9
False 9 has become the most common tactical term after 2008. Pep Guardiola used Messi in this role, and after their huge success, other teams also adopted it, like Fermino, who was one of the pillars of Liverpool's success. Luka Toni, The…
Unsung Heroes in World Cups: Martin Peters | 1966 England
The 1966 FIFA World Cup was held in England, the birthplace of modern football. The Beatles were preparing for the release of Revolver, the Vietnam War was ongoing, and Martin Luther King was leading rallies in Chicago. England were a…
What does qualifying for a World Cup mean today?
The magical day on which Cape Verde achieved their first FIFA World Cup qualification will be remembered for a really long time.
Cape Verde had been under Portuguese rule up until 1975. Its football team played the first ever…