Beyond the pitch

Episode 10: Neymar vs Mbappe -- Teammates Turned Rivals

They lit up Paris as the most feared duo in football. But behind the scenes at PSG, ego, jealousy, and a battle for the throne tore them apart. From penalty wars to dressing room fights, from Messi's arrival driving a wedge between them to Mbappe demanding Neymar's exit -- Marco Silva breaks down one of football's ugliest fallouts. Two superstars. One club. And a rivalry that destroyed what could have been a dynasty.

EP 9 -- ERLING HAALAND | Born in Leeds, raised on a farm in tiny Bryne, Norway. Scored two goals at six years old. Transformed into a beast at Molde under Solskjaer. Hat-tricks at Salzburg, Dortmund debut, and Champions League records shattered. Then Man City came calling -- 36 Premier League goals in his first season and the historic treble. The boy from Bryne became football's ultimate goal machine. Beyond the Pitch -- where legends are made.

EP 8 -- DECLAN RICE | Released by Chelsea at 15, told he wasn't good enough. He walked into West Ham, became captain, won three Hammer of the Year awards, and lifted European silverware. Then Arsenal paid 105 million pounds -- making him the most expensive British footballer ever. From Kingston upon Thames to the heart of the Premier League, the boy from Kingston proved that rejection is just the beginning. Beyond the Pitch -- where legends are made.

EP 7 -- KYLIAN MBAPPE | From the concrete suburbs of Bondy to World Cup champion at 19. He shattered Thierry Henry's records at Monaco, became the most expensive teenager in history at PSG, and scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final. Now wearing the legendary white of Real Madrid, the boy from Bondy has proven that the wildest dreams can come true. Beyond the Pitch -- where legends are made.

EP 6 -- NEYMAR JR | From the streets of Sao Paulo to the most expensive player in football history. At Santos, he won the Copa Libertadores and the Puskas Award. At Barcelona, he formed the legendary MSN trio and won the treble. At PSG, he chased the Ballon d'Or but injuries kept him one step away. He broke Pele's record as Brazil's all-time top scorer. The prince who danced with the ball like nobody else. Beyond the Pitch -- where legends are made.

EP 5 — LAMINE YAMAL | From the poorest streets of Rocafonda to European champion at 17. Born months before Messi held him in that iconic photo, Yamal's journey through La Masia to the Camp Nou shattered every age record in Barcelona's history. At Euro 2024, he stunned the world with a semi-final wondergoal against France — the day after his 17th birthday. This is the story of a boy who proved that greatness has no age limit. Beyond the Pitch — where legends are made.

Beyond the Pitch EP 4: Max Dowman. At just 16, Arsenal's wonderkid became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history with a stunning solo goal against Everton. From joining the academy at age 5 to breaking records in the Champions League, UEFA Youth League, and Premier League, Dowman's rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. With elite dribbling, deadly left foot, and Messi-like movement, this London-born talent is destined for superstardom. This is his story.

Episode 3 — Messi: FROM ROSARIO TO THE WORLD

Lionel Messi should never have made it. Born into poverty. Diagnosed with growth hormone disease at 13. Every club turned him away — except one.

Barcelona saved his life. And Messi repaid them with 672 goals, six Ballon d'Ors, and four Champions Leagues before leaving in tears.

From a tiny kid in Rosario to lifting the 2022 World Cup — this is the full Messi story.

Hosted by Marco Silva.

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Episode 2 — Cristiano Ronaldo: From Nothing to Everything

Born into poverty in Portugal. Lost his father. Got labelled "just a kid who dribbles too much."

Cristiano Ronaldo turned every setback into fuel — from a one-room apartment to five Ballon d'Ors, five Champions Leagues, and a Euro 2016 trophy that changed Portuguese football forever.

This is the full CR7 story. The heartbreak, the hunger, and the relentless drive that made him one of the greatest ever.

Hosted by Marco Silva.

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Episode 1 — Ronaldo: The Comeback King

Ronaldo Nazário was 24, a World Cup winner, and the most feared striker alive. Then his knee exploded. Twice.

Doctors doubted him. Pundits wrote him off. The world moved on.

But Ronaldo chose the harder path — silent gyms, lonely rehab, small ugly steps forward while everyone watched and waited.

From career-ending injuries to scoring twice in the 2002 World Cup final, Ronaldo's comeback is the greatest redemption story in football — and a blueprint for anyone who's been counted out.

Hosted by Marco Silva.

Follow @BeyondThePitchPod