Beyond just his brilliant use of the bicycle kick, mesmerising fans the world over, Leônidas da Silva remains one of Brazil’s greatest attacking talents
José Leandro Andrade: the mad and magical superstar who helped make Uruguay the world’s best
While he would sadly pass away due to illness with little to his name, José Leandro Andrade remains one of South America’s greatest footballers
Diego Maradona: the Sevilla diaries
Ask any football follower about the greatest players to play the sport and Diego Maradona will gloriously be at the very top of most lists. A career that started and ended in…
The night Ronaldo silenced a raucous Old Trafford with a hat-trick of sublime quality
This feature is part of Virtuoso Often contrary to what is seen in the modern day, Old Trafford was once a most unforgiving experience for any away side during Manchester United’s best…
The swagger of Dimitar Berbatov at his elusive best
This feature is part of Virtuoso Dimitar Berbatov was an often polarising figure when adorned in the red of Manchester United. Loved eternally for his passion towards the club, the cause and…
Vincent Kompany: the articulate outlier who rose to Manchester City legend
When Vincent Kompany arrived in England, he made his intentions for his new club, Manchester City, perfectly clear. At the first time of asking, he publicly declared that he was going to…
João Pinto: the other member of Portugal’s most famed generation
In a country where football is one of the most celebrated and passionate in the world, Portugal has created some of the most gifted players in the history of the sport. Ranging…
Beauty and the beast: the Piqué-Puyol diaries
This feature is part of Duology There exists a 15-second video clip, which does the rounds on the internet from time to time, that replays a moment from the Copa del Rey…
How Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo went from promising teens to goal-hungry predators together
This feature is part of Duology Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United sides were often constructed around sublime attacking talent. From Mark Hughes and Andy Cole to Dwight Yorke to Ruud van Nistelrooy,…
Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and the last stand of great Italian defending
This feature is part of Duology The Italians prize their art. It is something that has become a part of their culture, a part of their history for centuries and it still…
Clairefontaine: the dream factory that changed French football forever
This feature is taken from the France issue of These Football Times magazine. Order your copy of this beautifully crafted, timeless print edition via our online shop. In the process, you’ll support…
How Gianluca Zambrotta became one of the modern era’s finest full-backs
Marcello Lippi is an undisputed legend in football. Not only was he the mastermind behind Italy’s 2006 World Cup success – at a time when the country needed sporting joy the most…
How Bryan Robson became Captain Marvel at Manchester United
The number seven shirt has a long history at Manchester United. Despite the lack of pedigree in recent years, it has grown to become one of the most prominent sights in football,…
A statistical history of the World Cup’s Golden Boot award
Winning the World Cup is a matter of pride for many, but the individual glory is arguably the next best thing when heading out to the finals, and the Golden Boot award,…
Nine trophies in 342 games: the colossal legacy of Vicente del Bosque
FEW MANAGERS IN the history of football boast as impressive a CV as Vicente del Bosque. A largely underrated and often underestimated tactician, the former Spain boss has won it all, including…
The 2006 World Cup: a tournament better than many remember
THE WORLD CUP IS MAGICAL. For any fan of the sport, whether your country is participating or not, it is something to look forward to, and the fact that it only occurs…
Czech Republic: the dark horses who set Euro 2004 alight
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS’ greatest eras come along so sporadically, and that is what makes them so memorable. The Czech Republic, a nation formed after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, aren’t necessarily a…
Why Claudio Marchisio is still the prince of Turin
AFTER 73 MINUTES of an all-action display, the fans in the deafening Juventus Stadium stood on their feet to applaud their hero as he departed the pitch. Six months without any football…