El Partido

During the 1920's, a small nation from South America reshaped the global game and became the world's first global footballing superpower! In this episode Nick is joined by Martin da Cruz, author of Uruguay: Football's First Global Power, to talk about how this football obsessed country took centre stage in decisive era in world football and how they pioneered football innovations to become the dom...

After the death of General Franco in 1975, Spain was emerging into the world as a blossoming democracy. 1982 was presented as another 'Dictators World Cup' but following the end of the Franco regime, Spain was presented with an opportunity to showcase themselves to the world. The World Cup in 1982 was the one of the first true global contests, with teams from all four corners of the planet taking...

Much like Homer's journey back to Ithaca, the travails of the modern day groundhopper are not easy to navigate. Whether you're heading to experience some Sunshine on Leith or planning a pilgrimage to a grail ground such as La Bombanera, it always helps to get some hints and tips on how to make the best of your experience - then do we have the book for you! In this episode Nick & Paul are joined by...

We have been treated to one of the most incredible relegation battles ever seen in the Spanish top tier. One of the sides who were fighting for their Primera survival were Elche, who are no stranger to yo-yoing between the top two tiers. However, unlike this season where relegation will be based on sporting merit, Elche are the only club to ever have been administratively relegated from the top fl...

After leading Lorca Deportivo to the Spanish Segunda, Unai Emery was emerging from his first managerial role with success and admiring glances were beginning to be made. It was Almeria that would manage to secure his services and thus began Unai Emery's first step towards glory that would see him dominate Europe and become one of the best managers in Europe. Join Paul as he talks us through his ti...

You may know the story of Pablo Escobar, but did you know his influence and ownership of his hometown club helped shape a Golden Generation in Colombian football? The story of Narcoball tells us about how Colombian football was shaped by the cartels during the cocaine boom of the 1980s and 90s and the parallels between the rise of Escobar and the rise of Colombia as a footballing force for the fir...

This week, we wanted to bring you a new kind of episode we wanted to trial - but don't worry, the nostalgia will return! In this episode, Nick and Paul talk about a chaotic week at Real Madrid and THAT press conference from Florentino Perez as well as the impending return of Mourinho and that means for the club. They also discuss Monchi's new gig with Espanyol and the future of Sevilla under a pos...

It was bound to be a night not to forget in Vallecas, with Rayo Vallecano competing in a European semi-final first leg! Such was the excitement, some huge football accounts in the world of social media needed to remind us that not only are the Madrid ran unconventionally, with a dilapidated stadium and a place where you still have to queue for a ticket, butit was Rayo's debut season in a European...

Real Madrid are argubaly the most celebrated and supported club in the world. A global footballing superpower with a history to rival any other club but what do we really know about that history? This week, Nick and Paul are once again joined by the brilliant Miguel Pereira to talk about his new book 'The Greatest - Real Madrid's Never Ending Story'. In this, we explore the myths and misconception...

We've had a few days to take in the massive success that we saw at the weekend and that's not just Vedat Muriqi becoming Mallorca's all-time La Liga top goalscorer! The celebration of retro we saw this weekend was incredible and undoubtedly a huge success. Join Paul as he shares his thoughts on the La Liga Retro Weekend, why it needs to happen again and why we love nostalgia - especially the kits!...

When Rafa Benitez left Valencia to join Liverpool, he became the first Spanish manager to move to UK shores. This was a journey not many Spanish players had made either but the appointment of Rafa at one of Europe's most famous clubs set the trend that has seen almost every Premier League team look towards Spain for their player and manager needs. In this episode, Nick is joined by Sergio Andres M...

We've just had the Easter Weekend (or Semana Santa if you're from or heading to Spain) and it got us thinking - is La Liga the greatest league for career ressurections? This week, join Nick & Paul as they look through their Top 5 La Liga Ressurections. From career ending injuries to being back from the brink of irrelevancy to winning European finals! Available now wherever you get your podcasts an...

With the news that Antoine Griezmann is to end his almost 20 year tenure in La Liga, we look back at his time in Spain as the final bastion of the 'nostalgia era'. Join Nick & Paul as we discuss Griezmann's career, why Simeone trusted him so much, the troubles in Barca and of course, whether or not he signed Mbappe for his Newcastle Champ Manager side. Available now wherever you get your podcasts...

On this week's early and ad-free episode, we are taking our love of Spanish football nostaliga international by heading to Argentina. Nick is joined by Will Dalton, author of the brilliant Oh San Lorenzo, as we explore what makes Argentine football a hotbed where football meets religion, we discuss his beloved San Lorenzo along with their history, Pope Francis and of course, the crossovers with Sp...

You would think that a capital city based club playing European football would be a powerhouse? Not always. Rayo Vallecano are one of the most interesting stories you will find in Spanish football. Whether it's the confusing decisions to relay their pitch in winter, failing to invest in the stadium or even having to queue for 2 hours to buy a ticket in 2026 - Rayo just don't things in a normal way...

With confirmation of a 'La Liga - Retro Weekend', we've been abuzz with how the weekend will look, as our passion for Spanish football nostalgia reached peak levels. It has been confirmed that all 42 clubs in Primera and Segunda will spend one weekend playing in retro kits from the 90s along with stadium branding, 80s style balls, old school nets, proper scoreboards and so much more. Join Nick and...

Spanish football is known for its football rivalries - so based on competition, some regional rivalries and some are rivals who are bound by a joint cause. But even the most ardent fans of El Clásico will admit, there is one derby game in Spain that is unmatched for the heat of its rivalry - El Gran Derbí! The games between Sevilla and Real Betis are some of the most hotly contested matches on the...

Not too many people would have heard of the town of Cambados. A quaint fishing town nestled into the jagged coastline of Galicia, just west of Pontevedra. But for a brief period, the nation began to hear more about this unassuming corner of Spain due to meteoric rise of it's football club - Xuventude de Cambados. They were taking the leagues by storm, rising to the third tier and signing players o...

We all know Xabi Alonso - Champions League talisman, Galactico and more recently elite football manager. Alonso played at the very pinnacle at football, not redefining the role but becoming the undisputed master of deep-lying playmaker. In this episode, Nick and Paul look over how a small stint in the Basque town of Eibar instilled a belief into Xabi and matured a teenage prospect into an elite wo...

In a season where Diego Simeone is finding himself questioned in his hunt for silverware, we take you back to the season where it all started for El Cholo and his Atleti side that would break the two-team dominance of Spanish football. Join Nick and Paul as we look back over the 2013 Copa del Rey winning side that thrived with El Cholismo at it's heart and how that cup winning game at the Santiago...

The Classic Shirt boom in the UK and Ireland began around 10 years ago and shows no signs of slowing down, as the demand for the most stunning and often nichest shirts gets larger year on year. That same boom is now happening in Spain and we were delighted to be joined by Luke, owner and founder of Kit Launch - a brilliant football shirt store in Barcelona. Hailing originally from Cork, Luke joins...

During the lates 90s, David Beckham was becoming a star - a Premier League and Champions League winner, an Adidas athlete and even married to a Spice Girl. Everything he touched, turned to gold - hence the nickname. Then, in 2003, the unthinkable - Manchester United transfer list David Beckham... There was only one place for Beckham and that was heading to join the Galacticos of Real Madrid! In th...

The final of the African Cup of Nations was this weekend and it did not fail to live up to the drama and chaos we expect from one of the most underrated footballing competitions on the planet! With Paul back from El Partido Paternity, we thought we'd celebrate our rekindled love of African football by celebrating the stars of the continent who played in La Liga - with our Favourite African XI! Ava...

For Part Two of this epic Futbol Weekender in Barcelona, Tom takes us to two brilliant games in the Spanish lower leagues. Starting with a pilgramage we should all make at least one in our lifetime, a trip to the Campo Municipal Narcis Sala to watch the ever popular UE Sant Andreu before then heading slightly out of the city to watch surprise Primera RFEF league leaders Sabadell destroy an ailing...

Football in Barcelona is world famous and not just for the Blaugrana. Below the headlines of La Liga, the non-league scene in Catalan capital is one of the fastest growing and best support in Spain and probably in Europe. Friend of the podcast spent the weekend in the city and took in 3 games which we are delighted to bring you on EP en Directo. First up, La Liga founders CE Europa had to say good...