Kickin' It

Marco Messina sits down with the film producer who took a bankrupt Napoli out of the third division and built them into Italian champions. Twice. Aurelio De Laurentiis pulls back the curtain on the full story: the chaos of acquiring a club in ruins, the climb back through the divisions, and his unfiltered views on what's broken in the modern game: agent interference, fixture congestion, and a foot...

In this episode of Kickin' It presented by Modelo, host Marco Messina sits down with Atalanta's Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon. As a key figure in Atalanta's sustained success at the top of Italian and European football, de Roon discusses the secret behind La Dea's rise, explaining how Gian Piero Gasperini transformed the mentality of the "small club" from Bergamo. De Roon, who is just five appea...

Marco Messina sits down with the King of Transfers, Fabrizio Romano, for a deep dive into the grind behind the biggest scoops in football. From pioneering a digital-first approach to building a one-man media empire, Fabrizio explains why 20-hour workdays are the norm and how he balances being “a journalist for sure, but with skills as a content creator.” He opens up about being self-taught in mult...

Anita Jones sits down with Portugal and AC Milan star Rafael Leão for a candid conversation about pressure, progression, and life beyond the pitch. Leão reflects on his humble beginnings on the outskirts of Lisbon, being ghosted by Benfica before landing at Sporting CP, and handling early comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo - the kind of “good pressure,” he says, that shaped his mentality. He also op...

France and Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram joins Anita Jones for a candid conversation about football, family, and forging his own identity. From a friendly rivalry with his brother Khéphren - “I wanted to prove I’m the big brother” - to navigating the weight of being Lilian Thuram’s son, Marcus opens up about maturity, values, and learning to question the world around him. He reflects on fashio...

Kate Scott sits down with UCL Today co-host and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher for a candid conversation about football, media, pressure, and life after the final whistle. Jamie reflects on the intensity of playing for Liverpool, the toll it took, and why management was never a path he wanted to follow. He opens up about learning to shut out outside noise from early criticism in his career to na...

Kate Scott is joined by Scott McTominay for a wide-ranging conversation that captures a footballer at the peak of his confidence and clarity. Following a remarkable start to life in Serie A with Napoli, McTominay reflects on adapting to a new country and language, embracing life in Naples, and staying grounded after last season's Scudetto win. McTominay opens up about his mentality from his obsess...

Kate Scott sits down with legendary Spanish midfielder and World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas as he reflects on his transition into management and relives defining moments from an illustrious career. Cesc opens up on the Como project, the mentality of young players, and the challenges of coaching in the modern era. He revisits his formative years at La Masia and Arsenal, shares insights on Lamine Yama...

Kate Scott sits down with CBS Sports colleague and goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about the highs and lows of life at Manchester United. From humble beginnings in Denmark to becoming the heartbeat of Sir Alex Ferguson’s fabled United side, Peter opens up about the ambition that drove him, the boldness that defined his playing style, and the u...

Kate Scott sits down with Bayern Munich legend and World Cup winner Thomas Müller for a wide-ranging conversation with one of football’s most unique characters. Thomas opens up about his remarkable career, from scoring in a Champions League final to dismantling Brazil 7-1 at a World Cup. But for all the titles and trophies, he insists that competition means more than silverware - and explains why...

Kate Scott sits down with one of Calcio’s most iconic No. 9s - the larger-than-life Christian Vieri. Bobo opens up about leaving his family behind in Australia as a teenager to chase his dream of playing in Italy. He reflects on the quiet strength of his father, the deep influence of his grandfather, and why wearing the Azzurri shirt meant more to him than any club crest (03:13). Christian shares...

Kate Scott kicks off Season 2 with someone near and dear - her CBS Sports UCL Today teammate Micah Richards, aka Big Meeks. Micah opens up about being the butt of the joke - and why it doesn't offend him. Behind the booming laugh and bubbly personality is a thoughtful, grounded man who doesn’t obsess over money or fame. For Micah, it’s quality time with family and loved ones that truly matters. He...

World Cup winner and former USMNT head coach Jürgen Klinsmann joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies to reflect on his playing and managerial careers. Camp Cupcake (01:32): Monitoring Charlie after his accident, the good and bad of January camp, assessing young talent. Coaching the USMNT (10:52): Decision to take the U.S. job, the challenges facing American soccer, 2014 World Cup what i...

Three-time World Cup participant and National Soccer Hall of Famer Tab Ramos joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies to talk about his playing and coaching careers, as well as his views on the state of the American game. Closing the gap (01:35): The 1990 team’s World Cup impostor syndrome, witnessing U.S. Soccer’s gradual move towards professionalism, building a culture and connection be...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies begin season two of Kickin’ It with a bang by welcoming in Italy and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero to talk about his mindset and incredible playing career. Mentality (01:30): Channeling his competitive spirit, being able to control his emotions (unlike Clint!), and the origin of the Pinturicchio nickname. Juventus (10:11): Learning from Di Baggio...

New York Red Bulls captain and veteran Sweden international Emil Forsberg joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies to talk about the perception of MLS as a retirement league, growing up in Sweden, working under different managers, his love of music and much more.  Joining RBNY (02:23): Getting acclimatized as the DP, framing American move, seeking advice from Zlatan Ibrahimović, new MLS r...

For a passionate, unapologetic and informed discussion about the USMNT and the state of the American game catch the Call It What You Want podcast! Download and follow Call It What You Want on  Apple Podcasts ,  Spotify  or wherever you get your podcasts! The stage is set as 16 teams converge on the United States to compete for Copa America bragging rights. Charlie Davies and Tony Meola kick things...

Veteran of three World Cups and former General Manager of the USMNT Brian McBride joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to talk about his time with the national team, Fulham’s American contingent, injuries, Gregg Berhalter and much more.  The Biggest Stage (04:04): The differences between Mark Sampson and Bruce Arena’s World Cup teams, scoring against Portugal in 2002.  Fulham...

The trailblazing and outspoken Eric Wynalda joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to look back on a storied career that saw him play in three World Cups and become the first American-born player in Bundesliga history. And staying true to form, Eric lets his feelings on the current United States men’s national team known.  Unwanted (03:30): Being made to feel expendable by the F...

Former USMNT head coach and five-time MLS champion Bruce Arena joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to look back on the highlights and lowlights from his extraordinary managerial career, his favorite players, fondest World Cup memories and ambitions to get back on the saddle.   Dealing with Dempsey (03:17): Managing different personalities and squashing the beef with Clint. Ps...

Houston rapper and philanthropist Trae tha Truth joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to talk about his and Clint’s friendship, learning to appreciate soccer, surviving in the music industry, his work with the local community, parenting and more.  How Trae met Clint (1:25): The Big Hawk connection, Dempsey’s got bars, exposure to soccer, maintaining relationships, using social...

WNBA 5th overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2019 draft and Notre Dame's most outstanding player during their title run in 2018, Arike Ogunbowale joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about transitioning from soccer to basketball, putting school first, family support, and becoming a pro. They group also talk about legacy, shoes, and the American Dr...

USMNT goalkeeping legend, MLS Champion & MVP, as well as coach Tony Meola joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about his humility, representing America, and for the first time, why he stepped away from the USMNT. They also chat about today vs back then and Tony being a bridge between the two. First time for everything (2:08): Jersey collection, World Cup...

NBA Hall of Famer, Champion, and Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu, and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about his iconic status in the states, NBA achievements, early struggles leaving Germany, and love for the beautiful game. The group also chat about who the NBA GOAT is, new passions post-retirement, and marriage. Honors (2:08): A Statue, a str...

Two-time First Team All-Pro, and 2017 Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about life before and after football, leaving college early, the power of investment in soccer, hobbies, and having a kid on the way. The group also try to bait Gurley into some freestyle rapping before discussing his musical interests and Georg...