The famous shirt numbers football clubs decided to retire
From Maradona’s No. 10 to Jota’s No. 20, the stories behind football’s retired shirt numbers—and why clubs chose to take them out of circulation.
Culture
Messi and the Giants turns his underdog story into Disney fantasy
Messi and the Giants turns Lionel Messi’s underdog story into a Disney+ fantasy adventure, with young Leo relying on skill and teamwork.
Lionel Messi named Doctor Honoris Causa by UBA before Argentina farewell
UBA has named Lionel Messi Doctor Honoris Causa, recognizing his cultural legacy before his Argentina farewell at the Monumental on October 6.
Haaland’s airline lawsuit asks when a football meme becomes an ad
Norwegian gave a plane Haaland’s ponytail. His lawsuit asks where a football meme ends and commercial use of a player’s identity begins.
Ireland played Israel but withheld football’s usual rituals
Ireland beat Israel 3-0 but skipped football’s usual rituals. Black armbands, omitted handshakes and Gavin Bazunu’s absence told the wider story.
Vozinha’s World Cup fame doesn’t make him public property
Vozinha could turn off his Instagram notifications. He couldn’t switch off the attention waiting outside his phone. The Cape Verde
Haaland and MrBeast recreate his viral AI flinch meme
Erling Haaland has turned one of the strangest AI memes about him into the real thing. In a new collaboration
The psychology behind Real Madrid’s trophy corridor
At Real Madrid, a trophy can be an achievement for one generation and a job description for the next. Fifteen
The best FIFA soundtracks outlived their games
FIFA 15 gets our vote for the best complete soundtrack, but FIFA 14, FIFA 12 and PES 2011 show why football-game music still matters.
EA Sports FC 27 adds Monaco’s stadium above a parking garage
EA Sports FC 27 adds AS Monaco’s Stade Louis-II, recreating the arches, running track and football pitch built above a four-level parking garage.