People watch and enjoy soccer for a multitude of reasons. There is a sense of identity and connection to a town, city, or even a family member. There is the primitive sense of tribalism that can come with belonging to a band, and indeed it is an emotion on which some of the most fraught … Read more
Former Argentine soccer player Daniel Bertoni played on either the left or right-wing. During his career in Argentina, he dominated the soccer field at Club Atlético Independiente, where he won three Copa Libertadores, one Intercontinental Cup, and three Copa Interamericana trophies. Daniel Bertoni Early Career The future World Cup winner was born on March 14, … Read more
Iván Kaviedes is a former professional soccer player from Ecuador. He represented the Ecuador national team on 57 occasions. He had a journeyman career at the club level and played for several clubs across Europe and the Americas. He played as a forward/striker and was nicknamed “El Nine.” The six-foot striker is considered a legend … Read more
Fabio Capello has had many labels throughout his prodigious managerial career. A pragmatist, a tactician, and a fierce disciplinarian with clarity of mind and an obstinate determination to succeed. He was, however, no yes-man and indeed no proxy for Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan’s omnipotent president. The latter, in 1991, entrusted the rookie Italian coach to … Read more
A boy can be removed from Rosengård, but Rosengård cannot be removed from Zlatan Ibrahimović. In Sweden, Rosengård, a suburb notorious for its crime and poor economy, has these words painted at the entrance to a tunnel leading to it. Approximately 80% of the 24,000 residents come from immigrant backgrounds, and only 38% are employed. … Read more
Pat Nevin played nearly 750 games over a 20-year career in England and Scotland, making him one of the most familiar faces in British soccer. After scoring a hat-trick against Celtic Boys’ Club for his team, Blue Star, he signed for them as a 14-year-old in 1977. He then represented Glasgow Schoolboys and Scottish Schoolboys, … Read more
Paul Breitner played professional soccer for the German national team as a midfielder and left-back. In addition to being named in the World Cup All-Time Team, Breitner was also considered one of the best players of his generation. He formed a defense partnership with Franz Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts for his national team. When playing … Read more
For Santa Cruz, one of the big three soccer clubs in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, the deal struck back in early 1983 for Ricardo Rocha was just one of many done with smaller clubs from the interior. Yet even by today’s standards, the terms were very unusual. To secure the services of the then-20-year-old … Read more
Uwe Seeler is widely considered one of the greatest German soccer players of all time. Uwe was born on 5 November 1936 in Hamburg, where he subsequently joined his beloved local club Hamburger SV at just nine years of age. He was the son of Erwin, an influential soccer player from the port city. Early … Read more
Arrigo Sacchi came as a former shoe salesman, left as a legend, and rewrote calcio’s tactical rule book along the way. He coined some of the greatest quotes in managerial history, brought a number of the game’s most coveted winner’s medals back to his tiny hometown of Fusignano, and inspired a generation of coaches to … Read more