World Football

Bojan Krkić discusses the new generation of young players at his old club Barcelona. Finland's leading goal scorer Linda Sällström looks ahead to the European Championship. And Pat Nevin looks back at the year in football. Picture on website: Bojan Krkic celebrates a goal for Catalonia during a friendly against Venezuela (Quality Sport Images/Getty Images).

Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward and the former Portsmouth player Linvoy Primus discuss their Christian faith. We also hear from former USA international Jaelene Daniels, whose religious beliefs led her to turn down the chance to continue playing for her country. Picture on website: Joel Ward of Crystal Palace prays on pitch before a match between against Burnley (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

We hear from fans of Atlas after their team won the Liga MX title for the first time since 1951. And we pay tribute to Argentina's Sergio Aguero following his retirement. Picture on website: Aldo Rocha of Atlas holds the trophy and celebrates with teammates after winning the Liga MX title (Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)

Ahead of the MLS Cup final we hear from Portland Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala as his team prepare to take on New York City FC. We also hear from Oliver Kass Kawo, a 20-year-old Swedish-Syrian player who realised his dream of playing for Syria this month. Not only that, he scored for them in the FIFA Arab Cup. Picture on website: A break in play during the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC (Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)

The former Manchester United striker Louis Saha remembers playing for Sir Alex Ferguson. We hear from the new coach of Fort William, a club in the Scottish Highlands once described as the worst team in Britain. And the former Australia international Alicia Ferguson discusses some one-sided results in the latest round of women's World Cup qualifiers. Picture on website: Louis Saha and Sir Alex Ferguson share a joke during training ahead of a UEFA Champions League match against Lille (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

World Cup winner Gilberto Silva looks ahead to the Copa Libertadores final between Flamengo and Palmeiras. Also on the programme, the former Australia international Alicia Ferguson reacts to the latest abuse allegations in women's football. Picture on website: A Palmeiras fan holding the team's flag after beating Santos. (NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images)

Reflections on a dramatic week of World Cup qualifiers with Serbia and Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenković and Ghana's Andy Yiadom. We also hear from Marseille's young American winger Konrad de la Fuente. He tells us about his journey from Miami to the south of France via Barcelona's famed La Masia academy. Picture on website: Dusan Vlahovic and Nikola Milenković of Serbia celebrate after beating Portugal. (Zed Jameson/MB Media/Getty Images)

World Cup winner Gilberto Silva explains how his tough upbringing shaped him as a footballer. And Thailand's new coach Mano Pölking looks ahead to the Suzuki Cup and explains the cultural differences he's faced coaching in South East Asia. Picture on website: Gilberto Silva of Brazil celebrates winning the World Cup (photo by Mark Leech/ Getty Images)

The Denmark international Martin Braithwaite talks about a tumultuous time for Barcelona following the exits of Lionel Messi and Ronald Koeman. And Braithwaite also describes how his positive mindset has benefitted his career and helped him top become the best possible version of himself. Picture on website: Martin Braithwaite walks out onto the pitch for a match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

New Zealand's Niko Kirwan talks about his sporting family and first international goal. Plus, is Xavi the right coach for Barcelona following the departure of Ronald Koeman? And we hear from FIFA's head of women's football Sarai Bareman. Picture on website: Ronald Koeman on the touchlines during a match between Cadiz and Barcelona (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet gives an insight into the recent biennial World Cup discussions. We also hear from history graduate turned defender Chris Burgess who currently plays for Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise.

Watford defender William Troost-Ekong discusses Claudio Ranieri's Premier League return. We also hear from the Sierra Leone national team coach John Keister as the country looks ahead to competing in its first Africa Cup of Nations since 1996. Picture on website: William Troost-Ekong of Watford celebrates following a match against Millwall (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).

Heather O'Reilly reacts to the abuse allegations which have rocked women's football. Heather O'Reilly played under coach Paul Riley at the North Carolina Courage. He faces allegations of sexual harassment and emotional abuse, allegations which he denies. (Photo: Signage supporting NWSL players on display during a game between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Los Angeles FC. Credit: Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

FC Sheriff's Sebastien Thill talks about his winning goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, which created one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history. And Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken remembers an emotional night, as the club bid farewell to their iconic stadium in the Black Forest. Picture: The players of FC Sheriff Tiraspol in a group huddle during their UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid. (David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images).

South African midfielder Thalea Smidt tells us about her excitement ahead of playing for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the inaugural African Women's Champions League and how she feels the new tournament represents a great opportunity to improve the game on the continent. We also reflect on the career of Jimmy Greaves after the former England, Chelsea, AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur forward died at the age of 81. (Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)

Chievo Verona legend Sergio Pellissier tells us about the formation of a new phoenix club, after the original club went out of business in August. Plus Hugo Alvarado explains how his eye for talent has taken him from being a frustrated fan to becoming the first ever full time scout for El Salvador's national teams. Photo: Sergio Pellisier of AC Chievo competes for the ball with Nenad Tomovic of ACF Fiorentina during a Serie A match between the sides. (Credit: Getty Images)

Nigeria's Sunday Oliseh discusses the proposal to have a biennial World Cup. South Africa's new national team coach, Hugo Broos, reflects on the recent World Cup qualifiers. We also hear the tragic story of the former French international Jean-Pierre Adams who died this week after 39 years in a coma. Picture on website: The FIFA World Cup Trophy in the rain after the 2018 final between France and Croatia (Denis TyrinTASS via Getty Images)

Peru's assistant coach Nolberto Solano assesses the latest club v country row. And we hear from the Spanish coach of Urawa Reds, Ricardo Rodriguez, about life in the J-League. Picture on website: Brazil and Paraguay get ready for their South American qualifier (Photo by NORBERTO DUARTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Malmö coach Jon Dahl Tomasson discusses his club's qualification for the UEFA Champions League group stage. And we speak to the former Afghanistan women's captain Shamila Kohestani about the crisis in her home country. Picture: Jon Dahl Tomasson, head coach of Malmö, looks on prior to a UEFA Europa League match against Wolfsburg (Peter Niedung/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Real Sociedad goalkeeper Maty Ryan looks back on the last 10 months of his career and tells us why he suddenly fell out of favour at Brighton. We also hear from blind footballer Gael Riviere ahead of the Paralympics in Tokyo. Picture: Mathew Ryan of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Aston Villa (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

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)