Andrew Flint

Senior Writer

Ronaldo: in touching distance of being the greatest

This feature is part of The Fleeting Fraternity What is tragedy? In modern-day usage, it is defined by an event of monumental human suffering, shrouded by pathos and disaster. In dramatic arts’…

The story of Robin Friday, part footballer, part rock star

This feature is part of The Fleeting Fraternity As defining moments go, having a spike pierce your backside is one of the less edifying. As the carefree long-haired 20-year-old fell off the roof,…

A Tale of One City: Casablanca

This feature is part of A Tale of One City WHEN THE PIERCING RAYS OF THE MORNING SUN creep between the towering minarets and high-rise building on Casablanca’s Atlantic coast, they don’t shine…

Eric Cantona: a life of loneliness and love

Illustration by Dave Flanagan IT IS THE SUMMER OF 1978 in the baking heat of a Marseille suburb, and AS Caillolais are 1-0 down to title rivals Vivaux-Marronniers. Only a win will…

A Tale of One City: Manchester

This feature is a part of A Tale of One City Welcome to Manchester. After Carlos Tevez’s infamous multi-million pound move from Manchester United to cross-town rivals Manchester City, his new employers erected…

A Tale of One City: Krasnodar

This feature is part of A Tale of One City The Gold Room at the world famous Hermitage museum in Saint Petersburg is a sight to behold; the very symbol of opulence at the…

A Tale of One City: Tehran

This feature is part of A Tale of One City Éamon Zayed burst between the two centre-backs hoping for a through ball to latch onto, more in hope than expectation. His new side…

João Havelange: the iron hand in an iron glove

THE BAGS AROUND HIS EYES droop like a weary basset hound. Liver spots creep steadily across his brow and cheeks. Although there are still some wispy strands of silver atop his head,…

A Tale of One City: Rome

This feature is part of A Tale of One City The balding man with whisps of thinning grey-speckled hair looked oddly familiar. His assuredness and graceful movement seemed at odds with his companions…

A Tale of One City: Vienna

This feature is part of A Tale of One City You could easily be tricked into thinking Vienna is a peaceful, passive city; a breezy cultural beacon of Eastern Europe. Indeed, it’s superb and…

The Southampton FC Academy Way

This feature is part of The Academy Way Invading the pristine St Mary’s pitch in their thousands, Southampton fans swarmed with a feverish energy towards the visiting Burnley faithful. Smoke grenades, plastic bottles…

The Mimosifcom Academy Way

This feature is part of The Academy Way WHAT DEFINES A GOLDEN GENERATION? It ought to be the glorious manifestation of the very peak of youth development; not just a gem or…

The Aspire Academy Way

This feature is part of The Academy Way Qatar don’t do things by half. Ever since its first offshore oil field was discovered in 1960, the tiny Gulf state’s stature has simply exploded…

The Santos FC Academy Way

This feature is part of The Academy Way WHEN THE TITANIC HIT AN ICEBERG AND BEGAN ITS DESCENT into the punishingly icy waters off Newfoundland on 14 April, 1912, the world’s most…

A Tale of One City: Cairo

This feature is a part of A Tale of One City As his tiny chisel chipped away to create the first gap in the crumbling wall, Howard Carter breathed air that hadn’t…

A Tale of One City: Athens

This feature is a part of A Tale of One City Hyperbole is a common feature throughout the football world, from self-effacing irony to full-blown delusion. As the first torrential downpour of this…

How technology has changed football

Sometimes you are so perfectly positioned that a pivotal moment slows down a fraction. Weaving through a sea of maroon, grey, red and black, Matt looked up 30 yards out, paused, and wrapped his…