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Hola Big Interview listeners!

I asked our Socios to give me their questions about this World Cup and, boy, did they deliver.

In the latest of these (almost) daily podcasts on location in Russia I answer some of those in a special Socio Q&A, giving my views on established stars like Lionel Messi, potential breakthrough talents, and, of course, Spain.

You'll get my thoughts on La Roja and, if listen carefully, you'll even hear the players themselves as the Spain squad passes by during this recording.

Dasvidaniya!

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

In '50 Years of Hurt', Henry Winter went in search of the answer to the biggest question in English international football: Why have England not won a tournament since 1966? Through interviews with participants from every World Cup, Winter explores themes like tactical conservatism, FA incompetence, press relations and the culture of fear which grips the players. There are shafts of optimism, however, for England fans ahead of this summer in Russia.

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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 backpagepress.substack.com

Hola Big Interview listeners ... or should that be Zdravstvuj?

This is the first of what will be (almost) daily podcasts recorded on location at the World Cup here in Russia. Are you excited for the tournament to get under way? I know I am.

Right now I am in Krasnodar, a town in the south west of the country which will soon become the training base for Spain.

In this episode I explain why Ramos, Iniesta et al chose to come here and what they can expect when they arrive. I will also reveal why it is so important to pick the right base at a tournament, and the ways in which these Spain players have made themselves at home in the past.

Enjoy!

Graham

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

In 2013, Graham book Spain: The Inside Story of La Roja's Historic Treble was released. Graham had behind-the-scenes access at all three tournaments and used his incredible insight to tell the story of the greatest achievement in the history of international football. This is Graham's conversation with Neil White, co-founder of BackPage who published the book and believes it is the best title his company have released.

To take advantage of a special offer to buy the book direct from BackPage, listen out for the offer code at the end of the show.

Enjoy

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 backpagepress.substack.com

Zinedine Zidane has announced that he is stepping down as the manager of Real Madrid.

After winning the Champions League three times in a row, the Frenchman has decided that the time is right to leave the Bernabeu.

So, what does this mean for Zidane? What does this mean for Madrid and the team he leaves behind?

And why does Zidane regard his league title win in 2017 - and not his trio of European Cup triumphs - as the highlight of his reign?

I ask all all of these questions here and say, au revoir, Zizou ...

Graham

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

Hello Big Interview listeners!

You are about to listen to an extract from the Big Interview with David Weir. In this clip David describes some of the big characters he played alongside at Everton, beginning with two shrinking violets: Duncan Ferguson and Thomas Gravesen.

You will also hear about other top Toffees Kevin Kilbane - a former guest on the show - Tim Cahill and Mikael Arteta, before David reveals what it was like to be on the wrong side of Archie Knox, the bad cop to Walter Smith’s … fellow bad cop.

This episode is available in full and ad-free at patreon.com/grahamhunter. Sign up now and you will unlock our full archive of Big Interviews with the likes of Kilbane, Sir Les Ferdinand and Troy Deeney, while you will also be helping us to continue producing the content you love

Enjoy!

Graham

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

Hola Big Interview Listeners!

On the eve of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, we dug out a classic Big Interview from our archive.

Imagine you're a player or a coach and it's 24 hours before your first Champions League final - what do you do? How are you feeling? How do you soak up the occasion? Paul Clement breaks down what it was like when he was assistant to Carlo Ancelotti in 2014, when Madrid sealed a dramatic triumph over city rivals Atleti in the final.

Listen out for his explanation of what it felt like to look down the tunnel, and how Cristiano Ronaldo was able to help reassure the coach before they stepped out into the stadium.

From the tunnel to the last, dramatic moments of that match, Paul takes you into the electric tension of a Champions League final.

Listen and enjoy.

Graham

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

In Football 2.0., Grant Wahl (Sports Illustrated) breaks down the technical and tactical revolution that has transformed football through interviews with one player in every key position on and off the pitch. Wahl sits down with world-class talents such as Manuel Neuer, Vincent Kompany, Xabi Alonso, Chicharito, Christian Pulisic, Roberto Martinez and Michael Zorc to analyse hours of game footage, gaining insights that only those at the top of the sport can offer. This is Martin's conversation with Grant.

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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 backpagepress.substack.com

Ander Herrera describes the 2004 Copa del Rey final as "one of the greatest nights of my life". That reaction to being in Barcelona to watch his team, Real Zaragoza, beat the Galacticos of Real Madrid tells you a lot about this brilliant midfielder: he's a football fan who understands other football fans. This interview - one of my favourites in this series - is going to leave youin no doubt about how that love of the game influences the player he is and the choices he makes.

Listen here for tales of Spanish, European, English and international cup finals. And a look ahead to another, at Wembley, coming very soon.

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

Hola Big Interview listeners!

FC Barcelona have won the title already, but there will be no lack of drama when they face arch rivals Real Madrid on Sunday night. Not by a long shot.

There will be scrutiny on both teams from the get-go, with Madrid refusing flatly to offer their triumphant visitors a Pasillo, a guard of honour. This has been a debate which has been running for a while and it will be point of contention even after the game, no matter the result.

I give you my views on the subject in this special episode of the Big Inside View, while I will also discuss the political friction which hangs over the match and the potential for Barca to continue their invincibility in the league this season.

Enjoy!

Graham

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