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Heroes & Humans of Football

Latest episodes

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5 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 47min

The Super Agents: How Mino Raiola Changed Football's Transfer Market Forever

Discover the rags-to-riches story of Mino Raiola, a former pizza waiter who became a football super-agent. Uncover his journey from Haarlem to representing stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Erling Haaland. Explore his unconventional methods that revolutionized player transfers and the emotional bonds he built with clients. Hear about his partnership with Rafaela Pimenta and the fierce battles he fought within football's establishment. The podcast delves into the future of football agencies, showcasing Raiola's lasting impact on the sport.
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Dec 19, 2024 • 50min

Football and the trenches: The 1914 Christmas truce

In 1914, 110 years ago exactly, British and German troops came up from the trenches to meet in no man’s land and play football. This remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce, is the subject of today’s special episode.Instead of focusing on one hero, human, or villain, this Christmas episode examines the humanity behind war, discussing how football has united people across languages, cultures, and history. Simon and Mehreen delve deep into the story of World War I and beyond. They track the history of this poignant event, discussing its impact on Adolf Hitler (spoiler: he didn’t want to talk about it), the rise and suppression of women’s football, and discussing the event against wars and conflicts of today.This poignant, moving episode is ideal listening for football and history lovers alike and signals the start of Heroes & Humans’ Christmas break. Thank you for listening to our episodes in 2024. It's been a true pleasure to see how football has united so many listeners across the globe.Time stamps:0:43: Setting the scene, 19146:30: Christmas Eve, 191411:25: How football united the warring sides17:47: Was there just one Christmas truce match?22:50: Were there any more sporting truces?27:31: A gender revolution and the early rise of women’s football31:05: Battle of the Somme and the end of the Great War37:30: The legacy of the First World War, 110 years later41:42: Reflections on today’s wars and conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine)Like this episode? Make sure to vote for Heroes & Humans of Football at the Sports Podcast Awards: https://bit.ly/4fkQ8uA Join the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 24min

The Brazilian Ronaldo and the 1998 World Cup Mystery

12 July 1998, Paris. It’s the FIFA World Cup – France vs. Brazil. Brazil has the unstoppable Ronaldo (O Fenômeno – the Phenomenon) on their side, and crowds are expecting a Brazilian win. Suddenly before the match, it’s announced Ronaldo isn’t going to play. Then, suddenly, he is. Nations watch, confused, as Brazil’s best player wanders the pitch like a sleepwalker with glazed eyes, and witness Brazil’s defeat of 3-0. So what actually happened?In this podcast episode, Mehreen and Simon tackle the conspiracy theories, mysteries, and intrigue leading up to the memorable FIFA World Cup of 1998. They track Ronaldo’s early life in Brazil, his time at PSV Eindhoven, and the footballer’s incredible rise to dominance, with stats aged 20 better than Pelé.Ronaldo R9, a cult icon, captured the world’s attention in the 1990s by aggressively dominating the pitch. Did he have a panic attack or fit before the game? Was he drugged to ensure a French win? Was he a pawn of Nike, who had an unusual amount of control over the Brazilian team?This is an episode for mystery lovers, true crime lovers, and football fans alike. Time stamps:0:36: Setting the scene: The day of the ‘98 World Cup Final7:15: Ronaldo’s stats and playing career12:34: Teen years and move to the Netherlands22:14: Joining and leaving Barça27:16: World Cup time34:10: Brazil reaches the final 39:18: Conspiracy theories go wild46:33: Parliamentary enquiry, and a potential epileptic fit54:03: More conspiracy theories (there’s a lot)1:00:05: Is the simplest theory the correct one?1:00:07: Ronaldo’s career, 1998-20021:12:48: Later life and children (and why McDonald’s is so important)1:16:21: Ronaldo R9’s legacy and influenceLike this episode? Make sure to vote for Heroes & Humans of Football at the Sports Podcast Awards https://bit.ly/4fkQ8uA Join the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 10, 2024 • 1h 3min

Live with Roddy Doyle: Roy Keane, Chelsea, Ireland & more

Our first-ever live show, recorded at the Kilkenomics Economics & Comedy Festival in Kilkenny, Ireland. The sold-out event saw Simon and Mehreen take to the stage, discussing all things football with the prize-winning author Roddy Doyle.Die-hard Chelsea fan Doyle spoke with H&H for over an hour, where they discussed topics such as: Doyle's lifelong connection to Chelsea Football Club, its fan base, and Mehreen's experiences as a British Asian Chelsea fan The role of football in Irish identity and culture—from traditionally supporting English cups to the legacy of the 1990 World Cup The globalisation of football and the universality of football fandoms—the 'dark joy' of critique and how adversity creates deeper connections in the community  The legacy of Roy Keane Join the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 5, 2024 • 52min

Who is Manchester United’s new manager Ruben Amorim?

Explore the meteoric rise of Ruben Amorim as he transitions from the Portuguese leagues to managing Manchester United. Discover his empathetic coaching style and how his unique approach differs from legends like José Mourinho. Delve into his captivating press conferences and the challenges of adapting to coaching in English. The discussion highlights the modern expectations of younger managers and the shifting dynamics of football, drawing parallels between Amorim's journey and the evolving landscape of the sport.
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Nov 28, 2024 • 1h 18min

Eric Cantona: Art, violence, and the remaking of English football

Eric Cantona is the epitome of Rimbaud and Rambo: an artistic poet and violent, tough man. So how did this paradoxical player transform Manchester United in the 1990s? And how did this affect English football as a whole?In this episode, Simon and Mehreen delve deep into the life and times of French footballer Eric Cantona. They track his playing career in France, how he was the missing piece of the puzzle for 90s Manchester United, and his abrupt footballing career-end at the age of 31. This is the story of a man who was built like a boxer and thinks of himself as an artist. Famous for his kung-fu kicks, red card troubles, and propensity towards violence, this episode discusses how he also embodied a new type of footballer in the 1990s and a work-hard mentality of football as an art.Put your collars up for this insane, violent, and often poetic tale of the man of one of Manchester United’s most integral figures.Time stamps:0:36: Introduction and stats 03:44: Early life in Marseille07:29: A gifted young footballer and early playing career11:13: Controversy and trouble in French clubs13:40: Move to England (and a love for Rimbaud or Rambo?)17:12 Cult hero and collar up at Leeds22:32: Ferguson chooses Cantona for Manchester United26:32: Strong start at Manchester United29:53: Raising the bar at Manchester United35:27: Simon’s Financial Times front page cover on Cantona45:51: Community service and controversies49:16: Karate kicking journalists52:35: French national football team57:47: Unexpected retirement, acting career, and politics1:03:43: What’s Cantona up to now? 1:11:29: What if Cantona hadn’t played football?Join the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 21, 2024 • 55min

Megan Rapinoe: When soccer gets political

Megan Rapinoe is one of soccer’s most talented players, yet has an influence and legacy that extends far beyond the pitch. How did one American sportswoman become such a central figure in conversations about homophobia, feminism, and racism? This episode tracks Rapinoe’s life, from growing up in a relatively poor working-class background to becoming the GOAT of women’s soccer. Mehreen and Simon examine how witnessing severe drug abuse and her family upbringing shaped her understanding of privilege and injustice.This episode unpicks the polarising views of Megan, which are often at the centre of wider cultural wars. The episode discusses Rapinoe being the first top soccer player to come out (which was actually not too controversial), to being one of the first sportspeople to take the knee in 2016 (which was).On one hand, Rapinoe is hated by president Donald Trump (“Woke equals failure”) and was once called the “most annoying sportsperson ever” by Piers Morgan. On the other hand, she is celebrated as a figure with a strong moral compass – standing up for injustices, unfair pay, and archaic power structures.Is Rapinoe the new model for the next generation of sports stars? Or should politics be kept off the pitch? Time stamps:0:36: Introduction 4:43: A child of Trump’s America 9:45: A growing childhood interest in soccer11:42: Recognising privilege and witnessing fentanyl addiction 17:17: College scholarship and move to Oregon20:25: Discovering her sexuality25:59: A poorly-paid pro, viral moments, and coming out29:45: Intersectionality, homophobia, and equal pay33:23: Racism and taking the knee in 2016 38:39: Trump vs. Rapinoe (with a father that votes for him)44:27: Class action lawsuit for equal pay47:10: Rapinoe’s legacy Join the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 14, 2024 • 56min

Cristiano Ronaldo’s battle for longevity

No footballer in history has had a career at the top for as long as Cristiano Ronaldo. Nearing his 40th birthday, when will it be time for Ronaldo to finally retire? And will he bow out gracefully—or cry?This is the second and final episode on Cristiano Ronaldo. Simon and Mehreen track Ronaldo’s life from 2009 onwards, detailing his transition to family man, his atmospheric rise on social media, and his footballing career after Manchester United.This episode covers Ronaldo’s rivalry with Messi, his fear of decline and irrelevancy, and his dedication to football at every stage—whether it’s the Euros or in the Saudi league. Is it because of Ronaldo that football has reached a fetishisation of high performance?This is the finale of the highest-paid athlete on earth who rose from nothing—a person who embodies hustle culture but whose self importance is so grandiose one can’t help but mock it.Time stamps:0:36: Ronaldo joins Real Madrid5:05: Rivalry with Messi9:11: Perfect life, perfect child, perfect wife?17:01: Global icon and social media superstar22:41: Euro 201629:13: Manchester United and Juventus34:28: Humiliation and personal tragedy37:55: Joining the Saudi pro league41:36: Decline in the Portuguese national team44:11: GOAT status or pipped to the post?49:17: The Muslim conspiracy and ongoing legacyJoin the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 2min

Cristiano Ronaldo: The alcoholic's son who became a workaholic

Vain, disciplined, consistent: Cristiano Ronaldo is a football legend like no other. How did this hyper-athletic, prone-to-cry Portuguese player become such a dominant force—not only in football but on the world stage?This episode is the first of two on the legendary football player and covers Ronaldo’s early life. The episode chronicles Ronaldo’s childhood, growing up as an unwanted child in relative poverty in Madeira, and his move to the Portuguese mainland, where he became determined to work harder, better, and faster than everyone else.Simon and Mehreen paint a picture of Ronaldo’s ascent to international fame and superstardom, giving insight into his relationship with Alex Ferguson and Ronaldo’s tendency to always be an individual rather than a team player.This is the first part of a story of the man who takes himself so seriously he has become a meme—and how his egocentric, strict discipline and routine helped to propel him to the top.*Trigger warning: Mentions of sexual assault allegations, marked in the timestamps*Time stamps:0:36: Introduction and stats4:01: Growing up in poverty in Madeira9:22: Arrival to the mainland and showing fierce discipline15:13: Youth career and rising competition for fame20:40: Arrival at Manchester United 26:36: UEFA 2004 and a teenager’s determination for greatness30:20: Controversies and acclaim at Manchester United 39:00: Ronaldo’s first Ballon D’Or (but not the last)46:22: Alex Ferguson’s infantilisation of Ronaldo at Manchester United50:25: Sexual assault allegations in Las Vegas *TW: contains mentions of alleged sexual violence that some listeners may find upsetting*56:12: Wrap up and look towards part twoJoin the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 2min

Pogba: Brilliant, Betrayed, Banned.

Paul Labile Pogba is, according to host Simon, one of the most gifted players of all time. How did an international, record-breaking superstar become embroiled in a mess of conspiracy, extortion and doping bans? And will we see a comeback for Pogba in 2025?This episode covers Pogba’s life and career, from growing up in France and flying under the radar at Manchester United to a rise to dominance at Juventus and becoming the ‘Churchillian leader’ of the French National Team. An incredibly gifted player whose play style can dominate all parts of the pitch, Simon and Mehreen also cover the dark downfall of Pogba’s late 20s. In Shakespearean fashion, Pogba's brother betrayed him (including a bizarre West African witch doctor story), only for him to fail a doping test after his comeback.Will one of football’s most interesting main characters be able to take the centre stage ever again? Returning to football aged 32, will Pogba see a redemption, or is it all over for this tragic hero? And what hairstyle will we see next?Time stamps:0:36: Introduction and stats3:31: Growing up and finding religion9:02: Underestimated at Manchester United (and fights with Ferguson)14:22: Success at Juventus20:20: Dreams of total dominance25:58: A leader is born31:20: Racism and the ‘Karen’ of football36:39: Complacency at Manchester United39:09: Betrayal by his brother46:28: The witch doctor conspiracy40:28: Doping ban 52:08: Pogba’s legacy and futureJoin the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere. Instagram TikTok Facebook X Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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