This feature is part of The Masterminds To talk of Arsène Wenger’s effect on Arsenal…
Ronaldinho and the eternal journey to joy
IN THE LONG ANNALS OF FOOTBALL, two Ronaldos stand out. The first – the original…
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the tragedy of Hamlet and an unlikely ascent to superstardom
ARMENIA, LIKE SO MANY OF THE SOVIET STATES, was a difficult place to live in…
Roberto Mancini: the rare genius who led Sampdoria and Lazio to unprecedented heights
I HAVE THIS MEMORY from my childhood that’s still vivid in my mind. It’s some…
Louis van Gaal: a divisive success story
TO SOME, HE’S ONE OF THE BEST MANAGERS OF THE PAST TWO DECADES, willing to…
Introducing the Adidas Nemeziz 17+ 360 Agility: the boot of the future
To create the product of the future, you must go back and take some inspiration…
Pablo Aimar: the elegant magician who inspired a generation
“YOU’RE TOO YOUNG to be playing that much football and moving from home – focus…
Unfit, awkward and inconsistent: the unbridled genius of Georgi Kinkladze
LONG BEFORE AGÜERO, SILVA AND DE BRUYNE called the Etihad Stadium home, there was Maine…
Belgium: twenty years for overnight success
IT WASN’T LONG AGO that the only Belgian name mentioned in relation to a transfer deal…
Carlos Bianchi and the art of winning the Copa Libertadores
This feature is part of The Masterminds FOR CARLOS BIANCHI, THE CHOICE WAS EASY: “Lionel…
The Soccer Patterns project by Matthieu Teyssandier
Illustrator Matthieu Teyssandier is on a mission to create something new in the world of…
In celebration of Glenn Hoddle: the feet and mind of a sensation
Statement: Glenn Hoddle is a footballing genius. I think he’s up there with the very best…
The death of football’s classic number 10
“FOOTBALL IS THE WORKING CLASS BALLET.” The hallowed and revered words of Alf Garnett. There’s…
A World of Ultras: Boca Juniors
A World of Ultras returns with series two: first up, Argentine super club Boca Juniors and their incredible support from La 12, one of the finest union of fans and most intriguing histories in the South American game.
Beşiktaş: Istanbul’s third club but Constantinople’s first
“They may only be Istanbul’s third club in the eyes of so many unaware of their defining history, but let’s never forget that they were Constantinople’s first club long before they were Istanbul’s third.”
Going beyond the game of football in Naples
In the historic Italian city of Naples, football goes very much beyond the game. This…
Giacinto Facchetti: the Inter legend decades ahead of his time
IN FOOTBALL, the greatest legacies are reserved for those who pioneer their way into folklore. Manager…
Arrigo Sacchi: the greatest nobody of all time
This feature is part of The Masterminds HE CAME AS a former shoe salesman, left as…