2009
The Argentina flag and ‘Leo 10’ are a bit of a giveaway: this adidas F50i adorned the right foot of Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final as Barcelona beat Manchester United to become the first Spanish side to complete the treble (thanks to having already secured the Liga and Copa del Rey). The blaugrana icon scored in the Rome final but not, as it happens, with this boot. So why is it noteworthy? Find out here.
Marco Van Basten
The Dutch striker will forever be remembered for that astonishing goal in the 1988 European Championship final. But this isn’t simply the story of what Marco van Basten achieved with a ball: it’s an account of his desperate battle with an ankle injury that ended his career aged just 31. It is harrowing to read at times – notably his description of the ‘Ilizarov apparatus’ that was pinned to his leg to pull his shin and ankle bones apart – but this is a brilliant insight into a footballer stopped in his prime.
UEFA.tv
In this age of empty stadiums, we’re getting used to hearing players’ voices during games and coaches barking from the touchline. But that’s nothing compared to listening to a referee mic’d up. “Come on, show them some respect!” screams Björn Kuipers at Lionel Messi during the Champions League semi-finals last year. You’re there in the thick of the action in this four-part documentary from UEFA.tv, which highlights just what it takes to be an elite referee.
2009
The Argentina flag and ‘Leo 10’ are a bit of a giveaway: this adidas F50i adorned the right foot of Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final as Barcelona beat Manchester United to become the first Spanish side to complete the treble (thanks to having already secured the Liga and Copa del Rey). The blaugrana icon scored in the Rome final but not, as it happens, with this boot. So why is it noteworthy? Find out here.
Marco Van Basten
The Dutch striker will forever be remembered for that astonishing goal in the 1988 European Championship final. But this isn’t simply the story of what Marco van Basten achieved with a ball: it’s an account of his desperate battle with an ankle injury that ended his career aged just 31. It is harrowing to read at times – notably his description of the ‘Ilizarov apparatus’ that was pinned to his leg to pull his shin and ankle bones apart – but this is a brilliant insight into a footballer stopped in his prime.
UEFA.tv
In this age of empty stadiums, we’re getting used to hearing players’ voices during games and coaches barking from the touchline. But that’s nothing compared to listening to a referee mic’d up. “Come on, show them some respect!” screams Björn Kuipers at Lionel Messi during the Champions League semi-finals last year. You’re there in the thick of the action in this four-part documentary from UEFA.tv, which highlights just what it takes to be an elite referee.
“I don’t know if the youngsters will understand,” writes Paulo Futre, posing on this post alongside the DeLorean time machine from 1985 classic Back to the Future. It’s just one example of how the Portugal and Atlético de Madrid legend has been carving himself a niche on Instagram with his always unique and occasionally surreal approach to the medium. The 54-year-old is almost as entertaining online as he was on the pitch – and we suggest you follow him as a matter of urgency.
AD19
Football and singing are inextricably linked. But hearing your name being chanted on the terraces is one thing; having someone compose and record a song about you feels altogether next-level. Bayern München’s Alphonso Davies will be able to tell you: his achievements have inspired rappers Mouraine, Moto and Namso, all from the left-back’s home town of Edmonton, to produce a song called AD19.
The 20-year-old is a known fan of the genre. Having just celebrated winning the Champions League last season, he got almost as excited when he found out that fellow Canadian Drake was subsequently following him on social media. “When I posted a video, he sent me a message after, saying ‘Congrats King’,” revealed the Bayern ace. “I think I lost it. I was so excited.”
Pharrell Williams & adidas
The voice behind worldwide smash hit Happy is now spreading joy via football shirts. Pharrell Williams’ fashion line for adidas, Human Race, has branched into the makeover of five classic kits, from Arsenal’s ‘bruised banana’ jersey of the early 1990s to Juventus’s eye-catching pink number from 2015/16. “History is what shapes the future and sometimes in order to look forwards, first we need to look back,” said Williams, who has also reprised classic Bayern München, Manchester United and Real Madrid kits.
2009
The Argentina flag and ‘Leo 10’ are a bit of a giveaway: this adidas F50i adorned the right foot of Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final as Barcelona beat Manchester United to become the first Spanish side to complete the treble (thanks to having already secured the Liga and Copa del Rey). The blaugrana icon scored in the Rome final but not, as it happens, with this boot. So why is it noteworthy? Find out here.
Marco Van Basten
The Dutch striker will forever be remembered for that astonishing goal in the 1988 European Championship final. But this isn’t simply the story of what Marco van Basten achieved with a ball: it’s an account of his desperate battle with an ankle injury that ended his career aged just 31. It is harrowing to read at times – notably his description of the ‘Ilizarov apparatus’ that was pinned to his leg to pull his shin and ankle bones apart – but this is a brilliant insight into a footballer stopped in his prime.
UEFA.tv
In this age of empty stadiums, we’re getting used to hearing players’ voices during games and coaches barking from the touchline. But that’s nothing compared to listening to a referee mic’d up. “Come on, show them some respect!” screams Björn Kuipers at Lionel Messi during the Champions League semi-finals last year. You’re there in the thick of the action in this four-part documentary from UEFA.tv, which highlights just what it takes to be an elite referee.
2009
The Argentina flag and ‘Leo 10’ are a bit of a giveaway: this adidas F50i adorned the right foot of Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final as Barcelona beat Manchester United to become the first Spanish side to complete the treble (thanks to having already secured the Liga and Copa del Rey). The blaugrana icon scored in the Rome final but not, as it happens, with this boot. So why is it noteworthy? Find out here.
Marco Van Basten
The Dutch striker will forever be remembered for that astonishing goal in the 1988 European Championship final. But this isn’t simply the story of what Marco van Basten achieved with a ball: it’s an account of his desperate battle with an ankle injury that ended his career aged just 31. It is harrowing to read at times – notably his description of the ‘Ilizarov apparatus’ that was pinned to his leg to pull his shin and ankle bones apart – but this is a brilliant insight into a footballer stopped in his prime.
UEFA.tv
In this age of empty stadiums, we’re getting used to hearing players’ voices during games and coaches barking from the touchline. But that’s nothing compared to listening to a referee mic’d up. “Come on, show them some respect!” screams Björn Kuipers at Lionel Messi during the Champions League semi-finals last year. You’re there in the thick of the action in this four-part documentary from UEFA.tv, which highlights just what it takes to be an elite referee.
2009
The Argentina flag and ‘Leo 10’ are a bit of a giveaway: this adidas F50i adorned the right foot of Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final as Barcelona beat Manchester United to become the first Spanish side to complete the treble (thanks to having already secured the Liga and Copa del Rey). The blaugrana icon scored in the Rome final but not, as it happens, with this boot. So why is it noteworthy? Find out here.
Marco Van Basten
The Dutch striker will forever be remembered for that astonishing goal in the 1988 European Championship final. But this isn’t simply the story of what Marco van Basten achieved with a ball: it’s an account of his desperate battle with an ankle injury that ended his career aged just 31. It is harrowing to read at times – notably his description of the ‘Ilizarov apparatus’ that was pinned to his leg to pull his shin and ankle bones apart – but this is a brilliant insight into a footballer stopped in his prime.
UEFA.tv
In this age of empty stadiums, we’re getting used to hearing players’ voices during games and coaches barking from the touchline. But that’s nothing compared to listening to a referee mic’d up. “Come on, show them some respect!” screams Björn Kuipers at Lionel Messi during the Champions League semi-finals last year. You’re there in the thick of the action in this four-part documentary from UEFA.tv, which highlights just what it takes to be an elite referee.
“I don’t know if the youngsters will understand,” writes Paulo Futre, posing on this post alongside the DeLorean time machine from 1985 classic Back to the Future. It’s just one example of how the Portugal and Atlético de Madrid legend has been carving himself a niche on Instagram with his always unique and occasionally surreal approach to the medium. The 54-year-old is almost as entertaining online as he was on the pitch – and we suggest you follow him as a matter of urgency.
AD19
Football and singing are inextricably linked. But hearing your name being chanted on the terraces is one thing; having someone compose and record a song about you feels altogether next-level. Bayern München’s Alphonso Davies will be able to tell you: his achievements have inspired rappers Mouraine, Moto and Namso, all from the left-back’s home town of Edmonton, to produce a song called AD19.
The 20-year-old is a known fan of the genre. Having just celebrated winning the Champions League last season, he got almost as excited when he found out that fellow Canadian Drake was subsequently following him on social media. “When I posted a video, he sent me a message after, saying ‘Congrats King’,” revealed the Bayern ace. “I think I lost it. I was so excited.”
Pharrell Williams & adidas
The voice behind worldwide smash hit Happy is now spreading joy via football shirts. Pharrell Williams’ fashion line for adidas, Human Race, has branched into the makeover of five classic kits, from Arsenal’s ‘bruised banana’ jersey of the early 1990s to Juventus’s eye-catching pink number from 2015/16. “History is what shapes the future and sometimes in order to look forwards, first we need to look back,” said Williams, who has also reprised classic Bayern München, Manchester United and Real Madrid kits.
2009
The Argentina flag and ‘Leo 10’ are a bit of a giveaway: this adidas F50i adorned the right foot of Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final as Barcelona beat Manchester United to become the first Spanish side to complete the treble (thanks to having already secured the Liga and Copa del Rey). The blaugrana icon scored in the Rome final but not, as it happens, with this boot. So why is it noteworthy? Find out here.
Marco Van Basten
The Dutch striker will forever be remembered for that astonishing goal in the 1988 European Championship final. But this isn’t simply the story of what Marco van Basten achieved with a ball: it’s an account of his desperate battle with an ankle injury that ended his career aged just 31. It is harrowing to read at times – notably his description of the ‘Ilizarov apparatus’ that was pinned to his leg to pull his shin and ankle bones apart – but this is a brilliant insight into a footballer stopped in his prime.
UEFA.tv
In this age of empty stadiums, we’re getting used to hearing players’ voices during games and coaches barking from the touchline. But that’s nothing compared to listening to a referee mic’d up. “Come on, show them some respect!” screams Björn Kuipers at Lionel Messi during the Champions League semi-finals last year. You’re there in the thick of the action in this four-part documentary from UEFA.tv, which highlights just what it takes to be an elite referee.
