World Football

Greuther Fürth captain Branimir Hrgota looks ahead to the new season, following their promotion to the Bundesliga. Plus, Pat Nevin and Heather O'Reilly discuss Lionel Messi's move to Paris Saint Germain.Picture: Players of Greuther Fürth celebrate their promotion to the Bundesliga after being Fortuna Duesseldorf (Thomas Langer/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Australian international Jackson Irvine talks about his move to Hamburg's FC St Pauli. Also on the programme, South Africa's Ode Fulutudilu discusses her tough journey to professional football.Picture: FC St. Pauli fans at the Millerntor Stadium for a match against Holstein Kiel (Photo by Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images).

South Africa's Janine van Wyk discusses the future opportunities for Zambia's Barbra Banda following some impressive performances at the Tokyo Olympics. China's under-16 coach Chan Yuen Ting reflects on why the country isn't producing more talented players. And Pat Nevin looks ahead to the start of the new season in Scotland.Picture: Zambia's Barbra Banda celebrates a goal against China at the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo by KOHEI CHIBAHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

We hear from Pitso Mosimane, the South African coach who keeps on adding trophies to his collection. His most recent one was the African Champions League which he won with Egypt's Al-Ahly last weekend. He reveals the secret of his success.We also hear from Salvadoran striker Joaquin Rivas. El Salvador are hoping to make history at the Concacaf Gold Cup.Picture: Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane on the side lines during a match against Bayern Munich at the FIFA Club World Cup (Photo by Mohamed Farag/FIFA via Getty Images)

USA striker Lynn Williams joins us from Japan as she prepares for the Tokyo Olympics. The USA women's team is hoping to become the first to win back-to-back World Cup and Olympic titles.Picture: Lynn Williams celebrates after scoring for the USA against Nigeria (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Claudio Ranieri looks ahead to the final of Euro 2020 between Italy and England. We're also joined by former England international Tony Dorigo. Plus, can Lionel Messi win his first major international title when Argentina take on Brazil in the final of the Copa America?Picture: Jorginho celebrates after scoring the winning penalty for Italy in the Euro 2020 semi-final shoot out against Spain (Claudio Villa/Getty Images).

Hungary coach Marco Rossi tells us why selfishness and a lack of unity cost France, Portugal and Germany their places at Euro 2020. Former Czech Republic captain Václav Němeček looks ahead to the quarter-finals. And the former coach of Denmark Åge Hareide explains why the Danish players have such strong bonds.Picture: France's forward Kylian Mbappe reacts after a missed chance against Switzerland (MARKO DJURICA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As the knockout stage of Euro 2020 gets underway, the former Denmark international and European Championship winner John Sivebek discusses the emotions of Danish fans after the collapse of Christian Eriksen in the opening game and their hard-fought qualification to the round of 16. We also hear from the former Austria captain Christian Fuchs as his team prepare for a difficult match against the in-form Italians....and the former Juventus player Sebastien Giovinco gives us the Italian perspective.(Photo: Italian fans react as they watch the Wales match on giant screens at a fan zone in Rome. Credit: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

We hear from the Finland captain Tim Sparv, who was on the pitch when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest. Portugal's Jose Fonte pays tribute to his record-breaking team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. And Sweden coach Janne Andersson explains why he is not a fan of the format for Euro 2020.Picture: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates victory over Hungary at Euro 2020 (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Hungary midfielder Adam Nagy, Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and Denmark's Christian Eriksen look ahead to Euro 2020.(Photo: Teemu Pukki scores against Liechtenstein in Helsinki. Credit: Antti Yrjonen/NurPhoto/Getty Images)

In this bonus podcast, World Football's Mani Djazmi speaks to the Finnish international Lukáš Hrádeck. The Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper talks about his love for alcohol and saunas, as he prepares for the delayed kick-off of Euro 2020.

Venezia FC's Harvey St Clair discusses the unique nature of football in Venice, following the club's promotion to Serie A. Also on the programme, Peru's assistant coach Nolberto Solano talks about the last minute decision to move the Copa America to Brazil.Picture: Venezia FC goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa celebrates being promoted to Serie A (Nicolo Zangirolami/Getty Images)

Former Chelsea player Salomon Kalou looks ahead to this year's Champions League final. He also reflects on the finals he played in against Manchester United and Bayern Munich.Picture: Salomon Kalou training with Hertha BSC in 2019 (Jan-Philipp Burmann/City-Press via Getty Images).

Jose Fonte looks ahead to the final game of the French season, with Lille on the verge of surprisingly winning the title. And Barcelona's Ana-Maria Crnogorčević looks back on her team's Champions League victory. Heather O'Reilly and Pat Nevin also discuss whether fear is the best motivation for a footballer. Presented by Mani Djazmi.(Picture: Jose Fonte of Lille OSC in action against Nice. Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)

A look ahead to the women's Champions League final between Chelsea and Barcelona. The former Barcelona director Maria Teixidor gives an insight into the rapid rise of the club's women's team. Plus, Columbus Crew fans explain why they're so upset about their club's controversial rebrand.(Photo: Barcelona's Lieke Martens celebrates scoring during the Uefa Women's Champions League Semi Final match against PSG.. Credit: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Leicester City's in-form striker Kelechi Iheanacho reflects on a great season, in which he's become one of the Premier League's leading goal scorers. We discuss the UEFA Champions League and Jose Mourinho's return to Italy. Plus, we mark the 50th anniversary of the first ever women's FA Cup final.Picture: Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City celebrates after scoring against Southampton (Shaun Botterill - The FA via Getty Images)

FC Goa's Brandon Fernandes discusses his team's run in the Asian Champions League and the surge of Covid cases in India. Plus, Dynamo Kyiv's 75 year old coach Mircea Lucescu talks about winning the title. We're also joined by AC Milan player Verónica Boquete.Picture: Mircea Lucescu head coach of Dynamo Kyiv gives instructions during a UEFA Europa League match against Villarreal and Dynamo Kyiv (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Reflections on the rapid rise and fall of the proposed European Super League. Plus, Sweden coach Janne Andersson talks about the return of Zlatan Ibrahimović to the national team.Picture: Tottenham Hotspur fans protest against the European Super League (Clive Rose/Getty Images).

Norway coach Ståle Solbakken discusses his team's recent protest against human rights abuses. And we hear from the Brazilian social media celebrity who has signed a professional contract with Rio de Janiero club Resende.Picture: Norway's players pose with t-shirts reading "Human rights, on and off the pitch" in support of migrant workers building World Cup venues in Qatar for the 2022 finals (JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

D.C. United coach Hernán Losada discusses the influx of young talent from South America into Major League Soccer. And the former Puerto Rico goalkeeper Anita Rabell tells us how she overcame a culture of machismo to establish women's football on the island.Picture: Hernán Losada coaches Beerchot in a Belgian Pro League match (Photo by KRISTOF VAN ACCOM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Bayer Leverkusen's director of football Simon Rolfes explains the decision to sack their coach and their plans for the future. Gambia's Assan Ceesay reflects on the historic goal which earned his country a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the very first time.Picture: Nadiem Amiri of Bayer Leverkusen looks dejected after losing the Bundesliga match against Hertha BSC (Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

Metaloglobus București player Ovidiu Herea joins us to discuss an incredible end to the Romanian Liga II season. And the CEO of Belgian's Pro league Pierre Francois talks about the possibility of a joint Dutch/Belgian league.(Photo: Ovidiu Herea challenges Edin Dzeko during a UEFA Cup match in 2008. Credit: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Cuban footballer Jorge Corrales discusses an historic moment for the national team, for the first time foreign-based footballers can now play for Cuba. And the Wolfsburg defender Kevin Mbabu talks about their impressive season so far.Picture: Jorge Corrales of Cuba leaps over two Mexican players during a match in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images).

Former Confederation of African Football executive committee member, Musa Bility, gives us his take on Patrice Motsepe's unopposed election as Caf President after the South African's three rivals for the job withdrew from the race. Former Germany, Chelsea and Leicester defender Robert Huth joins us to react to the news that international football's longest serving manager, Joachim Löw, will step down from his role with Die Mannschaft after this summer's European Championships.Mani Djazmi, Pat Nevin and Heather O'Reilly discuss the findings of a BBC Sport investigation that revealed football still has one of the biggest prize money gender pay gaps.And we hear about the superstition of 'Kirkicocho' that backfired on Sevilla goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, in the Champions League this week.Photo: Patrice Motsepe speaks onstage during Global Citizen Presents Global Goal Live event in New York. Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for Global Citizen

With the Chinese Super League champions, Jiangsu FC, ceasing operations just 108 days after winning the title we look at whether more clubs could follow before the 2021 season starts in April. Ghana International and Tianjin Tigers captain Frank Acheampong tells us he doesn't know yet whether the club will continue without their backers Teda, who have reportedly withdrawn their funding because of the Chinese football association’s new policy that removes mention of companies from club names.Mani Djazmi, Heather O'Reilly and Pat Nevin discuss whether the packed fixture schedule is catching up with players in the Premier League and what impact that might have on the Uefa European Championships in the summer.Fifa Council candidate Laura McAllister tells us why she wants to be one of world football's decision makers, and shares her thoughts on the joint bid from the UK and Republic of Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup.And we reflect on the life of former Liverpool and Scotland winger Ian St John, who died this week at the age of 82. Photo: Jiangsu Suning players and staff members celebrating after their team defeated Guangzhou Evergrande to win the Chinese Super League in November 2020. Credit: STR/AFP via Getty Images.

Former France international Yohan Cabaye discusses his decision to retire from football. Players' agent Mino Raiola talks about his motivation. And we find out what's gone wrong for the Turkish champions İstanbul Başakşehir.Picture: Yohan Cabaye with his hands on hips during a Premier League match between Burnley and Crystal Palace (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images).

Ibrahim Ba looks ahead to the Milan derby. Plus, Brondy's Theresa Eslund discusses her career and looks ahead to facing Lyon in the UEFA Champions League.Picture: The mural of Romelo Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan outside the Giuseppe Meazza stadium (Claudio Villa/Getty Images).

Myanmar goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Htet tells us about his decision to protest following the military coup. Norway's Tom Henning Øvrebø tells us why death threats are an occupational hazard for referees. And we hear from an imposter, who tried to fool some of the world's biggest clubs.Picture: A player with the Myanmar Football Federation poses with an image of a red ribbon and makes the three finger salute at a protest against the military coup in Naypyidaw on February 7, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona's Presidential candidate Joan Laporta talks about the future of Lionel Messi, and how he intends to deal with a debt of nearly $1.5bn. And we'll also be joined by the coach of the USA's women's team Vlatko Andonovski.Picture: USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski on the touchline during a game against Spain in March 2020 (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann talks about his former coach Thomas Tuchel. Plus, Brazil's Gláuber Berti looks ahead to the final of the Copa Libertadores and remembers his cameo appearance for Manchester City. And we find out why Chile's biggest club, Colo Colo, is is danger of relegation.Picture: Julian Weigl and Henrik Bonmann celebrate during a parade following Borussia Dortmund's DFB Cup win in 2017 (Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images).

Namibia's Pat-Nevin Uanivi joins us from the African Nations Championship in Cameroon. And Sturm Graz player Jon Gorenc-Stankovic tells us the secret of a good defence.Picture: The captains of Cameroon and Zimbabwe line up ahead of the opening match of the African Nations Championships (AFP via Getty Images)

With Santos reaching the Copa Libertadores final, we speak to the former Santos captain Rildo Menezes. And we find out more about the game's all time leading goal scorer Josef Bican.Picture: Yeferson Soteldo of Santos celebrates after scoring against Boca Juniors (Andre Penner – Pool/Getty Images)

Anguilla national team coach Stern John talks about his new job and his hunt for new players. Wales international Helen Ward tells us why she briefly considered quitting the game. And Pat Nevin meets Pat-Nevin, as we introduce our regular presenter to the Namibian international Pat-Nevin Uanivi!Picture: Anguilla's football players pose for pictures aha of a CONCACAF Nations League match in 2019. (JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

On the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox stadium disaster, Roddy Forsyth, Pat Nevin and survivor John Hodgson join Mani Djazmi to remember the tragedy which killed 66 people and injured many more at the end of the 1971 New Year match between Rangers and Celtic. This programme contains graphic eyewitness accounts.Picture: Rangers and Celtic fans observe a one minutes silence to mark 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images).

Thomas Rongen shares some fascinating stories and memories, from the glory days of the North American Soccer League in the early 1980s, to leading American Samoa to it's first ever international victory.Picture: Thomas Rongen appeals to the fourth official during a match between the Carolina RailHawks and the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2015 (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

We look at the historic co-ownership of Beitar Jerusalem by an Arab and a Jew. Beitar have never had an Arab player but now they have an Arabic co-owner. Moshe Hogeg, who signed a partnership with Sheikh Hamad of Abu Dhabi, tells us that he had to consult the most important religious and political figures in Israel first.Picture: Fans of Israeli Beitar Jerusalem football club show their support during the team's training in Jerusalem (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Başakşehir's Nacer Chadli discusses the decision to abandon a Champions League match after an alleged racist incident. And we pay tribute to Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi.Picture: The score board and empty grandstand after the game was suspended in the first half as the players walked off amid allegations of racism by one of the match officials during the UEFA Champions League group H football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir FK at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

We reflect on differing fortunes for Norway's Bodo/Glimt and Peru's Alianza Lima. Plus, Icelandic goalkeeper Guðbjörg Gunnarsdóttir talks about the challenge of balancing motherhood with football.Picture: A fan of Alianza Lima lights a flare during a match against Estudiantes de Mérida (Raul Sifuentes/Getty Images)

We pay tribute to Diego Armando Maradona. We hear from Claudio Marangoni, who played against him in his early years in the Argentinean league. He describes Maradona as being like a hurricane. Antonio Nunez, who signed him as the unlikely coach of a Mexican second division team remembers how playful Maradona was. And we also recall Maradona's demons and his shock expulsion from the 1994 World Cup for doping.Picture: Diego Maradona of Napoli celebrates during a Serie A match between Napoli and Fiorentina (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images).

The DR Congo and Everton winger Yannick Bolasie talks about the frustration at not getting game time with his club, and the joy of being back playing for his country. Plus, the Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet discusses the chaos that came before their match against Gabon, as unhappy Gabonese players slept on an airport floor the night before the game.Picture: Yannick Bolasie playing for Sporting CP against Vitria SC in 2019 (Paulo Nascimento / DPI / NurPhoto via Getty Images).

South African FA supremo Danny Jordaan discusses the race to become the President of the Confederation of African Football. And Sassuolo's Pedro Obiang discusses his team's impressive start to the season and the attributes of his coach Roberto de Zerbi.Picture on website: Pedro Obiang of Sassuolo celebrates during a Coppa Italia match against Spezia (Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images).

Former IFK Göteborg player Pontus Kåmark discusses the club's surprise relegation fight. Ghana's Asamoah Gyan explains his reasons for returning home to continue his career. And the former USA international Danielle Egan talks about her talented son, Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna.PICTURE: Fans of IFK Göteborg light up pyrotechnics during a match against Östersunds (David Lidstrom/Getty Images)

Alanyaspor's Steven Caulker talks about life in Turkey and tells us how he's rebuilding his career after overcoming addiction problems. And Julio Arca wishes Diego Maradona a happy 60th birthday.Picture: Steven Caulker of Alanyaspor during a Turkish Cup match against Kasimpasa (ANP Sport via Getty Images).

Nigerian international John Ogu calls for players to boycott matches following the protests and violence in Nigeria. And the former New York Cosmos captain Werner Roth wishes his old team mate, Pelé, a happy birthday.

Arsene Wenger discusses his love affair with Arsenal FC. And we report from the international friendly between Ghana and Qatar, hearing from Andre Ayew and Hassan Al-Haydos.Picture: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger walks across the pitch ahead of the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal in 2018 (Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images).

Peru's Nolberto Solano talks about the fun and violence of South American World Cup qualifiers. And lawyer Mr Leven Siano tells us about his dreams for Brazil's Vasco da Gama as he attempts to become the club's new President.Picture: Nolberto Solano prepares to take a corner kick while playing for Universitadio de Deportes Marco del Rio/LatinContent via Getty Images)

We hear the unbridled excitement of forward Tokmac Nguen about the prospect of making his debut in the UEFA Champions League. He plays for Hungary's Ferencváros who have qualified for the group stage for the first time in 25 years. We also meet the first man from the Faroe Islands to play in Germany's top division, and pay tribute to German female referee Bibiana Steinhaus who retired this week.Picture: Tokmac Nguen of Ferencváros celebrates with teammates after scoring against Celtic (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Al Hilal coach Răzvan Lucescu expresses his anger following his team's expulsion from the AFC Champions League. Al Hilal were unable to field a team after Covid-19 swept through the squad.Picture: Al Hilal's players are pictured ahead of the AFC Champions League match against UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli. The match was called off after the Saudi team failed to field the minimum required 13 players. (KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

The former AC Milan and Chelsea player Andriy Shevchenko looks back on his career. And Dynamo Dresden's Chris Löwe joins us after his team's match against Hamburg made headlines around the world, when Hamburg's Toni Leistner confronted a fan.Picture: Andriy Shevchenko of AC Milan in action during a UEFA Cup match betweenMilan and FC Zurich in 2008. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

41 year old Cádiz captain and goalkeeper, Alberto Cifuentes, looks ahead to the new La Liga season. We look back at a chaotic few days for the Czech national team. And Mexico's Pavel Pardo tells us how coach Marcelo Bielsa treats his players like machines.Photo on website: Cadiz CF supporters celebrate (Javier Montano/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)