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Top Stories
Stories in Cleats that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Why Did I Care?
The 2022 UEFA Women’s EURO competition has set attendance and viewing records. It’s been accompanied by a commendable and long-needed rise in campaigning against misogyny and online abuse, including Not Her Problem and Her Game Too. These are fantastic strides in the right direction, and send an overwhelmingly positive message to future generations of players and fans, of any gender, that they are welcome participants in the world’s most popular sport. It’s wonderful to see how far we’ve come in respecting women as athletes. But this progress also serves as a stark reminder to me of my participation in a shameful culture of holding women back.
Madeleine NortonPublished 12 months ago in CleatsCharlotte FC is Ready to Party
When Major League Soccer became the prominent professional soccer league in the US in 1996, no one could have imagined it would grow into the multi-billion-dollar league it is today. At the start average attendance numbers rarely exceeded 15,000, eight of the ten teams were renting stadiums from NFL teams, and the league lost an estimated 250 million dollars in its first five years of existence. A stark contrast to the 28-team league we have today.
Connor JaramilloPublished 2 years ago in CleatsWhy Maradona Is God , And Messi Isn't
Somewhere around 2013, I was at the gym, finishing my workout on the treadmill, when I glanced at the door and saw a short, chubby man walk in the door, followed by a bleach-blond woman 30 years younger and a personal trainer three times his size. His attitude was that of someone who owned not just the gym, but the whole city.
Taru Anniina LiikanenPublished 2 years ago in CleatsReconciling With Mistakes: A Football Point of View
2021 had a lot of football moments. The 2020 Euro Cup alone saw more own goals than the whole history of the tournament. And, in most cases, these own goals led to the defeat of the team. This made me think about the mental health issues faced by the players and the ways in which they deal with their mistakes on the ground.
A ElizabethPublished 3 years ago in CleatsThe Life and Times of Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli, aka Romelu Lukaku, was born in 1993 in Antwerp, Belgium to parents of Congolese descent, and when he played his first game for a senior club for Anderlecht at age 16 in the Belgian Pro League there was little sign that he would one day move to Chelsea Football Club in Kensington, London for a club-record £97.5 million ($135m USD).
Hamish AlexanderPublished 3 years ago in CleatsTHE MESSI EFFECT
After two decades at Barcelona Messi said goodbye to the team where he became the alien and went to the billionaire team of Paris Saint Germain for two seasons with the right to one more.
Dalmy AlvesPublished 3 years ago in CleatsThe proud lineage of Johan Cruyff's radical ideology that redefined football
The theories that Cruyff espoused with such stunning effect in Barcelona had their roots in the first international played by Scotland and England in Partick in 1872, a century ago. Undoubtedly, he was a radical, but he was a radical who understood that he was a part of a great lineage.
At Long, Long Last, the Champions League Final
The Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea to crown the best soccer team in Europe — even though the two sides both hail from the UK — was always going to be hyped as one of those games where both sides overthink things.
Hamish AlexanderPublished 3 years ago in Cleats
Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Cleats.
Scottish football's top 50 players in last 40 years
The votes are in and over 150,000 people have given their opinion on who are the top footballers to play in Scotland over the last 40 years.
5 UK states with no football pitche
There's a key point to address before we delve into the idea of UK states with no football pitches. The United Kingdom (UK) isn't divided into states. It's a constitutional monarchy made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Moharif YuliantoPublished 9 days ago in CleatsScore More from Set Plays: Tapping into the Power of AI for Effective Corner Kicks
Google’s DeepMind has introduced TacticAI: An AI system that might be capable of helping experts get tactical information, especially on corner kicks using predictive and generative AI.
Vijay MistryPublished 11 days ago in CleatsAngels on the pitch.
In the heart of a bustling city, where the rhythm of life pulses through the streets like a steady heartbeat, there existed a small soccer field tucked away from the chaos. This field wasn't just any ordinary patch of grass; it was a sanctuary, a place where dreams took flight on the wings of determination and passion. It was here that the story of the angels of the pitch unfolded.At the crack of dawn, when the world was still cloaked in darkness, a group of young boys and girls would gather at the field, their cleats clicking against the pavement as they made their way to the hallowed ground. Among them was Alex, a talented midfielder with a heart of gold and feet that danced with grace across the turf.On one particular morning, as the sun began to peek over the horizon, Alex noticed something peculiar. A pair of worn-out cleats lay abandoned near the goalpost, as if waiting to be discovered. Intrigued, Alex approached the cleats and picked them up, examining them with curiosity. Despite their battered appearance, there was an air of magic about them, as if they held a story waiting to be told."Hey, check these out!" Alex called out to the others, holding up the cleats for all to see.The group gathered around, their eyes widening in wonder as they beheld the mysterious footwear. They had heard tales of legendary players who had once graced the field, but never had they come across such a tangible relic of the past."Maybe they belong to one of the angels," whispered Mia, the team's star striker, her voice barely above a breath."Angels?" scoffed Diego, the goalkeeper, a skeptic to the core. "There's no such thing."But Alex knew better. There was a magic in the air that morning, a sense of possibility that transcended the boundaries of belief. With a determined gleam in his eye, he slipped on the cleats, feeling a surge of energy course through his veins like electricity.As the team began their training session, something extraordinary happened. Alex moved with a newfound agility, his every step infused with the spirit of those who had come before him. With each pass and shot, he felt as if he were channeling the skill and wisdom of the angels of the pitch.As the days turned into weeks, Alex's teammates couldn't help but notice the change in him. His once tentative touches had been replaced by a confidence that bordered on the divine. It was as if he had been touched by an unseen hand, guided by forces beyond mortal comprehension.But with great power came great responsibility, and Alex knew that he couldn't keep the secret of the cleats to himself forever. So one evening, as the sun dipped below the skyline and the field was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, he gathered his teammates around him and revealed the truth."These cleats," he began, his voice steady with conviction, "they're not just ordinary shoes. They're a reminder of all those who have played on this field before us, of the angels who watch over us even now."The others listened in rapt silence as Alex recounted the legend of the angels of the pitch, of how they had once roamed the earth spreading joy and inspiration through the beautiful game of soccer. And as he spoke, they felt a sense of awe wash over them, as if they were being blessed by unseen hands.From that day forward, the cleats became more than just a pair of shoes; they became a symbol of hope and unity for the team. With each passing game, they would lace up their boots and take to the field with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that they were not alone in their quest for victory.And so, the angels of the pitch continued to weave their magic, their presence felt in every pass, every tackle, every goal. For on that sacred ground, where dreams took flight and legends were born, they watched over their earthly counterparts with pride and affection, forever guiding them towards greatness.
Eric anexisPublished 12 days ago in CleatsWill Salah Fly the Coop? Analyzing the Fallout Between Him and Klopp
The recent on-field spat between Liverpool's star forward Mohamed Salah and manager Jurgen Klopp sent shockwaves through the football world. Cameras captured a heated exchange on the touchline during the London Stadium clash, leaving fans and pundits alike to dissect its meaning. While the exact cause remains undisclosed, this incident has reignited discussions about Salah's future at Anfield.
hassen fraihPublished 14 days ago in CleatsWhat is Mohamed Salah’s future in Liverpool after the dispute with Klopp?
Liverpool find themselves in a peculiar situation. Mohamed Salah, their talismanic forward and reigning Football Writers' Player of the Year, is currently embroiled in a public contract dispute. This comes on the heels of a well-publicized touchline spat with manager Jürgen Klopp during a recent Premier League draw. Despite these issues, Liverpool officials remain confident that Salah will be a Red next season, even as his current contract enters its final year.
hassen fraihPublished 14 days ago in CleatsYellow Wall Roars for Glory: Borussia Dortmund Prepare for PSG Showdown in Champions League Semi-Final
The stage is set for a pulsating encounter in the UEFA Champions League as Borussia Dortmund, fueled by the electric atmosphere of Signal Iduna Park, lock horns with French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final tie. With a place in the Champions League final at stake, both teams will be desperate to grab the advantage and take a crucial step towards continental glory.
hassen fraihPublished 15 days ago in CleatsPremier League Title Race:
The Premier League title race has reached its climax, with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City vying for the coveted crown. The three teams have showcased exceptional skill, determination, and resilience, making it a thrilling contest. As we analyze their performances, it's clear that each team has its strengths and weaknesses, but one team stands out as the most deserving of the title.
Marvellous OseyomonPublished 20 days ago in Cleats
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