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Hola!

Recorded soon after the final whistle in arguably the greatest World Cup final of all time, this is my take on the night when Messi fulfilled his destiny and lifted the World Cup with Argentina.

Enjoy

G

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Olivier Giroud could win a SECOND World Cup tonight. During this World Cup in Qatar, he has become France's all-time leading goalscorer.

I sat down with the Frenchman in Milan just over a year ago - November 2021 - to discuss his life and career.

You'll hear about the euphoria that broke out after Olivier set up the winning goal against Lille in 2012 which all but clinched Montpellier’s only top-flight title.

Then there’s France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, delivered, Olivier says, by team spirit. Did you know that N’Golo Kanté really does bend the rules at cards, and that Olivier and Hugo Lloris celebrated in a Moscow duck pond?

Enjoy

G

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Emi Martinez is 90 minutes away from immortality with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.

The Argentine goalkeeper was a Big Interview guest in August 2020.

Sit back and listen to Emi tell you his extraordinary origin story.

Enjoy

G

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Lionel Messi stands on the brink of World Cup glory.

The Argentine has been a recurring topic amongst our 150 guests over the last seven years. Sit back and enjoy some of their memories of the GOAT.

Pablo Zabaleta recalls a quiet, skinny Messi in the Argentina Under-20s dressing room… then he did his talking on the pitch.

Gary Neville says that seeing Messi playing in the Camp Nou against Manchester City was the only time he has been genuinely mesmerised by a player.

Countryman Federico Fernández speaks of a humble, family guy.

Ander Herrera recalls playing for Real Zaragoza against Barcelona when Messi decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck and singlehandedly set up victory.

Lastly there’s a quick contribution from Graeme Souness, who considers Messi the greatest of all time.

Enjoy

Graham

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

France 2 Morocco 0. Now we know it will be Argentina v France. Messi v Mbappe. All of that. But don't overlook or under-analyse the coach who has already won this tournament as both captain and coach, but who somehow avoids the spotlight. Nor how close Morocco were to shaking the

world one more time. If only they had a Kylian.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Here's a special kind of preview for tonight's second semi-final, Morocco v France. This is a column I wrote for ESPNFC about a fascinating goalkeeper I have had the pleasure of interviewing twice during his time in La Liga, with Girona and Sevilla.

Yassine 'Bono' Bounou has a great story, he is a colourful, engaging guy and he is one of several Morocco players to make their name at this tournament. One more win and they'll be the greatest underdog story in the history of the World Cup.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Hola!

Recorded shortly after the final whistle in last night's semi-final - Argentina 3 Croatia 0 - this is my take on Messi, Alvarez, the penalty and the raucous atmosphere which is driving Argentina forward in this tournament.

Enjoy

G

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

Graham and Pete Jenson preview the semi-finals – how will suspensions affect Argentina’s gameplan? How could this World Cup change Luka Modric’s swansong? And which Morocco players look like attracting the most interest when the market opens in January? 

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com

In a close game, England proved again they belong at the top table of international football. But my enjoyment of this quarter final, which featured signature performances by thrilling footballers, was impaired by the performance of a referee that got several huge calls wrong. Here's where I think the game was decided, and what it means for Gareth Southgate's team.

Final four confirmed. Croatia. Argentina. Morocco. France. What’s next? 

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I've been deeply saddened by the shocking and tragic news of the death of the journalist, broadcaster and author Grant Wahl at the World Cup yesterday. I couldn't speak to you about two monumental quarter finals without first addressing the loss of a spirited and pioneering talent.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit revistadelaliga.substack.com