Sporting Giants

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have become footballing icons over the last 20 years and while they continue to break records on the pitch, they also remain cultural and business giants off the field as well. Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore how Messi and Ronaldo have broken the mould in an era of social media with the help of experts from the world of marketing. We also hear how they...

While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo sweep all before them with their club sides and win countless trophies, the one accolade which eludes them both is international success. In episode three of this four-part series, Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore the highs and lows both players have been through with Argentina and Portugal. From agonising defeats to the ultimate glory in Europe,...

As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rise to become the best players in the world, their rivalry takes another step closer as Ronaldo joins Real Madrid to go head to head with Messi and Barcelona. In episode two of this four-part series, Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague discuss how the Real Madrid and Barcelona years shape the Messi and Ronaldo rivalry on and off the pitch as they battle for te...

In the first episode of this four-part series, Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore what made Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand out as they began their journeys to becoming footballing icons. From playing on the streets in Argentina and Portugal, to the bright lights of Barcelona and Manchester United, in this episode we discover how Messi and Ronaldo began to stand out as a new footb...

Coming soon, Steve Crossman presents a new four-part series exploring how the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has redefined football over the last 20 years.

Presenters Kelly Cates and Simon Hughes explore how Mohamed Salah has redefined being a footballing superstar. Former Liverpool team-mates James Milner and Adam Lallana discuss Salah's impact on the club's first league title for 30 years in 2019-20, and the seismic battles of recent years with Manchester City. Discover what drives Salah at both club and international level, as a crucial period wit...

Focusing in on Mohamed Salah’s impact in Egypt, presenters Kelly Cates and Simon Hughes reflect on what he means to his home nation. Former international team-mate Ahmed Elmohamady explains Salah's key role in taking the country to a first World Cup in 28 years, including the moment he stepped up to take a crucial penalty in the final minutes against Congo in 2017. Discover how Salah is a role mod...

Presenters Kelly Cates and Simon Hughes explore one of the most pivotal periods of Mohamed Salah's career after his signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2017. Former Anfield team-mate James Milner reflects on the impact Salah made in his debut season — a campaign that ended with the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kiev From the heartbreak of Kiev for Liverpool and Salah to the...

In episode one of this four-part series, Kelly Cates and journalist Simon Hughes chart Mohamed Salah's rise from humble beginnings in Egypt to global football superstardom. Discover how Salah's home village of Nagrig shaped his early life and the famous microbus journey to Cairo, which he took to training as a teenager. Former Chelsea team-mate Mark Schwarzer reveals how Salah's first spell in the...

Kelly Cates and Simon Hughes explore the career and legacy of Mohamed Salah. First-hand accounts from former team-mates including James Milner, Adam Lallana and Micah Richards reveal what it is like to play alongside Salah and what sets him apart as one of the best players of the last decade in the Premier League for Liverpool. Presenter Kelly Cates and journalist Simon Hughes explore whether Sala...

How did Ferguson rise to the challenge of Manchester City to bow out of United on a high? Key players Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand recall Ferguson’s final season as a Robin Van Persie-inspired United re-capture the league title from City. Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft assess where Fergie ranks among the pantheon of great football managers and whether his methods could stil...

Ferguson sees off the challenge of Jose Mourinho and inspires United to another Champions League success in Moscow. Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft hear from Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Quieroz and Wayne Rooney on how Ferguson drew on the spirit of Sir Matt Busby to overcome Chelsea on penalties in 2008. With Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to the fore, Ferguson has taken United back to the summit of E...

From the infamous 'hairdryer' to managerial mind games, Ferguson was the ultimate boss. Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft explore how Fergie controlled his players, rival managers, referees and the media in the relentless pursuit of success. With Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal emerging as a rival to be reckoned with, Ferguson had to draw on all his experience to keep United at the top of their games, e...

How Sir Alex Ferguson turned a talented crop of young players into an unstoppable force in England and, ultimately, Europe. Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft trace how Ferguson’s faith in youth was integral to his success in Scotland and England. After establishing themselves as the dominant force in English football, we hear how Ferguson overcame early setbacks in Europe to land an unprecedente...

Inside the Manchester United dressing-room as Alex Ferguson recovers from the brink of the sack to bring trophies back to the club. Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft explain how Ferguson ruthlessly cleared out United heroes like Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside to build a team in his image. We hear from key players like Steve Bruce, Dennis Irwin and Gary Pallister as Ferguson ends United’s 26-y...

How did Sir Alex Ferguson’s working-class Glasgow upbringing shape the man and manager he would become? Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft retrace Ferguson’s steps from the Govan shipyards to European glory with Aberdeen. We hear about Fergie’s admiration for trade union activist Jimmy Reid, his fledgling football days at Drumchapel Amateurs and how, after rejection at Glasgow Rangers, he combine...

The definitive Sir Alex Ferguson story, from his working class roots in Glasgow to the top of European football, told by the people who know him best. First-hand accounts from a host of former players and adversaries including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Gordon Strachan and Sir Kenny Dalglish reveal what it was like to play for Sir Alex's all-conquering Manchester United and Aberdeen teams, while...

With Euro 2024 and a move to Real Madrid on the horizon, the future looks bright for Mbappe. Steve and Julien are joined by Spanish football expert Sid Lowe to discuss the challenge facing Mbappe at the serial Champions League winners. Can he go on to match the achievements of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Arsene Wenger give their views.

France icon Lilian Thuram reflects on racism, football and French identity after Mbappe suffers racial abuse at Euro 2020 following his penalty miss. Lacking support from the French Football Federation, Mbappe threatens to quit the national team, forcing change before he stars at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. We hear from France team-mates Hugo Lloris and Ibrahima Konate as Mbappe emerges as a natu...

After winning the World Cup, Mbappe returns home to Paris a national hero and gains increasing power at Paris Saint-Germain. Club insiders detail how Mbappe became an increasing influence on and off the field as PSG’s Qatari owners set their sights on the Champions League. We hear from experts on why the Mbappe-Messi-Neymar strike force never delivered Europe’s ultimate prize. And why Mbappe’s imm...

After an outstanding first season at Paris Saint-Germain, a 19-year-old Mbappe inspires France to glory at the 2018 World Cup. Presenters Steve Crossman and Julien Laurens hear from France head coach Didier Deschamps and other eye-witnesses as Mbappe emulates Pele by becoming only the second teenager to score in the final in Moscow. Mbappe’s success sparks emotional scenes back in the Paris suburb...

Presenters Steve Crossman and Julien Laurens explore Mbappe’s time at the legendary Clairefontaine academy and his breakthrough season at Monaco. Hear from France legend and Clairefontaine graduate Thierry Henry and some of Mbappe’s classmates at a football finishing school like no other. Find out how Monaco won the race to sign the teenage sensation and relive his title-winning debut season in th...

In a new six-part podcast series, Steve Crossman and Julien Laurens chart Kylian Mbappe’s rise from the suburbs of Paris to global superstardom. We begin at AS Bondy, where Mbappe first displayed his prodigious talent and hear from former coaches and teammates about the cheeky schoolboy who, with the support of his ambitious parents, appeared destined for greatness. Former Arsenal manager Arsene W...

A new podcast series charting Kylian Mbappe’s rise from the suburbs of Paris to global superstardom. Presenters Steve Crossman and Julien Laurens follow the forward’s journey from AS Bondy to PSG via Monaco and the legendary Clairefontaine academy and hear from a stellar cast including Arsene Wenger, Didier Deschamps, Thierry Henry and Bernardo Silva. Revisit Mbappe’s ultimate high of winning the...

In this new podcast series Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore the life and career of Pep Guardiola. Episode 4 charts his most recent chapter, overcoming a first trophyless season to create history in Manchester. Director of Football Txiki Bergistain and City insider Noel Gallagher reveal how Pep proved the doubters wrong to begin his domestic dominance before his former captain İlkay Gündo...