Football Ramble

Last night, we lost one of football’s true greats as Pelé passed away at the age of 82. Marcus, Jim and Luke relive his legendary international career, his complicated relationship with Santos as he grew into football’s first global celebrity, and his lasting importance to football – and sport – itself. Share your memories of Pelé @ FootballRamble on Twitter and email us here:  show@footballr...

With the new year around the corner, it’s time to reflect, spend time with our loved ones… and suggest some of the worst format changes to football imaginable! Marcus, Luke, Pete and Jim hammer out their new year's resolutions for football in 2023 and hear some of your suggestions! Piers Morgan banned from all sport, anyone? Listen to our Guide To… Football’s Original Rules for more madcap ideas t...

Almost two years ago today, Norway international Omar Elabdellaoui went blind in a firework explosion. 11 surgeries and 13 months later, he returned to the pitch for Galatasaray. Kate catches up with him about his incredible journey since that New Year’s Eve in 2020 and how he is seeing football – literally – with new eyes. Who would you like us to drop in on next? Tweet us @FootballRamble and @kv...

Jules, Andy and Pete douse their flaming Christmas puddings with some goals, more misguided footballer tattoos, and Manchester United tears... They chew over the best of the Boxing Day football, where Spurs picked up from exactly the same confusing place they left off and Darwin Núñez proves for some that he is the second coming of Andy Carroll. Plus, a Newcastle fan embraces the real spirit of Ch...

In December 1863, a bunch of the most Victorian-sounding men imaginable gathered together to hammer out what would become the foundation of the beautiful game: the English Football Association’s rules for football. But – by jove! – not much of what they agreed makes sense today. Marcus, Jim and Pete take you through it on today’s Guide! What would you like us to cover on the Guides in 2023? Let us...

’Tis the season for yellow cards and Robbie Savage having a fight in the Christmas party chocolate fountain! Jules, Luke and Jim bring you a comprehensive run down of that most unique of English football phenomena: the Christmas schedule. From the *very* homely origins of the tradition, to some memorable Boxing Day moments in years gone by, we’ll run you through it all - and introduce you to the m...

Join us for part two of our World Cup whip-round, as we bring you some of our favourite Ramble clips from the knockout stages. Lionel Messi fulfilled the dreams of millions, while England’s impressive development still couldn’t get them past a miserly France. Steve McClaren’s lookalike, a violent Terry Butcher and the Icardis also make some surprise cameos! Tweet us @ FootballRamble and email us h...

Today, we look back at our favourite moments from the group stages of a truly weird World Cup. The group stages threw up some absolute #narrative this tournament, with some heroic performances from the likes of Morocco and Japan, as well as England’s transition from easay -> awful -> easay. We also check in with Wayne Rooney’s (little) man management and Lineker’s Bar in Ayia Napa. Join us f...

Dotun, Andy and Lars Sivertsen are here with our final OTC of the World Cup, as we plot Kylian Mbappé’s route back to the summit of world football. Has Lionel Messi passed on the torch yet? We also recap our winners and losers from the tournament, as Croatia proved class is permanent and Belgium’s golden generation truly lost their shine. Plus, it’s the OTC World Cup awards! Tweet us @ FootballRam...

Argentina are champions of the world! Marcus, Pete, Jim and Andy revel in an extraordinary night of drama. And trophy-humping. Plus, we look back on what has been a strange month of football for so many reasons. Tweet us @ FootballRamble and email us here:  show@footballramble.com . Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive live events, ad-free Rambles, full video episodes and loads more: patreon...

Andy is joined by Nicky Bandini and French football expert Jonathan Johnson to unpack an undoubtedly dramatic finale to the 2022 World Cup. While all the talk is about Lionel Messi’s legacy, what does this final mean for Kylian Mbappé? They also explain why Zinedine Zidane seems to have been left so miffed and discuss their players of the tournament!  But before all that, what’s the future fo...

Jules, Luke and Jim convene at Ramble HQ with just one more sleep before the most exciting day of the year: the World Cup 3rd/4th play-off! We hear your suggestions for replacing this fixture - including an Gianni Infantino vs Florentino Perez pillow fight. Speaking of which, Gianni’s been in front of the mic again and we re-launch a competition of our own: it’s Moore vs Breach in Jack’s Encyclopa...

Marcus, Luke and Andy react to last night’s second semi-final, where Morocco threw the kitchen sink at France. But Antoine Griezmann is so adaptable he’s also probably a plumber now. Elsewhere, the studio is split over how France and Argentina will match-up, we discuss whether the next England manager should be English, and we determine just what kind of dessert the third-fourth play-off is. ...

Dotun, Andy and David relive an extraordinary night for Lionel Messi and Argentina as they thwacked Croatia to reach the World Cup final. While Messi summons the spirit of Zinedine Zidane in 2006, we discuss how Lionel Scaloni and the supporting cast have turned things around since defeat to Saudi Arabia. We also explain why Portugal’s match-up with José Mourinho is a terrible idea and we preview...

Now the dust has settled on another England exit, Jules, Luke and Andy reflect on the future of Gareth Southgate, England and – most importantly all – Dave the cat. STOP JACK, HE’S NOT A LOAF OF BREAD MATE! We assess the reasonable and absolutely ridiculous options to replace Southgate and turn to our first semi-final: Argentina vs Croatia! If Lionel Messi is done with Wout Weghorst, that is… Twee...

Marcus, Luke, Jim and Pete reflect on a heartbreaking night for England that both bodes well for the future and summons some very familiar ghosts of the past. And bloody hell, Morocco! We ask whether they can ‘Greece it’ and go all the way. Pete’s Film Club is back! Sign up for weekly episodes throughout the World Cup and much more here: patreon.com/footballramble . Tweet us @ FootballRamble and e...

Dotun and Andy are joined by Nicky Bandini to look over a pair of cracking quarter-finals, as Croatia's gnarly persistence got the better of Neymar n co - the favourites are out!  Elsewhere last night, Louis van Gaal bows out with typical good grace after their loss via judges' decision to Lionel Messi’s security team. We also look ahead to Morocco vs Portugal and pay our respects to the lege...

Marcus and Luke are here for a special England vs France preview ahead of tomorrow! They discuss how Kyle Walker and co could contain Kylian Mbappé, why Gareth Southgate absolutely has to lift the handbrake, and the less than ideal presence of Robbie Williams in the England camp. Plus, our favourite correspondence ahead of the game! Listen in for all you need to know ahead of the big one tomorrow...

It’s the business end of the World Cup, people! Marcus, Jim and David look ahead to two crunch quarter finals today. Louis van Gaal has been dishing out more kisses as his squad gear themselves up for Argentina and Lionel Messi – who may or may not soon be banned from Mexico – while Brazil have more dance routines (and stray cats) ready for Croatia! Will it be two upsets or a titanic South America...

Marcus, Luke and Pete pile into the studio after Morocco only bloomin’ went and did the Spanish! How’s Luis Enrique going to Twitch about this one… We discuss why the Spanish keep coming unstuck, why Samuel Eto’o kneed a man in the head, and why Portugal were so, so much better without Ronaldo. We also celebrate two forces that have been with us since the dawn of time – Pepe and Wayne Rooney. Wazz...

Andy, David and Lars bring you the scouting report on Les Bleus! What’s their main weakness? Can England win if Kylian Mbappé is on song? And who’s the Frenchman who’s quietly become player of the tournament… They also reflect on Brazil’s samba masterclass and where that leaves the field – plus, how an Everton flop can tame Lionel Messi and how has Cristiano Ronaldo fallen out with Fernando Santos...

It’s another easay win for England! Marcus, Luke and Jim recap their impressive performance, as Jordan Henderson reminded us of the past and the ridiculous Jude Bellingham excited us for the future.  Elsewhere, Olivier Giroud stands atop France’s male goalscoring charts after their win against Poland! No doubt Kylian Mbappe can make a further dent in Olivier’s lead when they line up against E...

So close and yet so far: Jules, Pete and Andy discuss the big news. Mauro and Wanda Icardi are indeed back together. It was a huge night for Argentinian football in more ways than one of course – we reflect on the Messi hype and an inspiring tourney for the Socceroos (without any accents, for once). We also discuss how the USA will look going forwards and why England will definitely fare better be...

Marcus, Lars and Jim convene at Ramble HQ After one final portion of the World Cup group stage banquet. We discuss an incredible night for South Korea and Cristiano Ronaldo’s great generosity – plus the happiest man to ever be sent off in a World Cup, a very teary Luis Suárez and a very punchy Edison Cavani. We also find out how FIFA are well-prepared to make sure the group stage format is never t...

Jules, Pete and Andy chat about a truly epic night of football! Not for Japanese policemen, mind. Japan top the Group of Death™ against all odds while Kai Havertz at least wins the real quiz sponsored by Budweiser. Plus, a Mexican fan stabs his telly and Harry Maguire finally makes an appearance in Ghana’s parliament. Pete’s Film Club is back! Sign up for weekly episodes throughout the World Cup a...