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Artwork for Heroes & Humans of Football

Heroes & Humans of Football

Immaterial
Champions League
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Chelsea
Premier League
Jürgen Klopp
Liverpool
Carlo Ancelotti
Jose Mourinho
Thierry Henry
Football
Patrick Vieira
Arsène Wenger
Football Manager
Borussia Dortmund
AC Milan
Bundesliga
Roman Abramovich
Pep Guardiola
Manchester United

Listen to the stories behind football's biggest names, hosted by Simon Kuper and Mehreen Khan. "Hosts Simon Kuper and Mehreen Khan know their stuff." – The Guardian "The most interesting football podcast of the moment." – NRC, a leading Dutch daily Heroes & Humans moves beyond the traditional boundaries of sports commentary to explore the lives of football's most interesting figures. Whether episo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes48Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySoccerSportsSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Heroes & Humans of Football

Latest Episodes

What happens when your greatest moment becomes both a blessing and a burden? This is not just the story of Geoff Hurst's World Cup hat-trick but a deeper exploration of a vanishing era of English football and the often-challenging lives of the heroes... more

YouTube

How did a pizza waiter from Haarlem become one of football's most influential figures? This is the story of Mino Raiola, the super-agent who transformed the football transfer market, and his successor, Rafaela Pimenta.

In this episode, Simon and Meh... more

YouTube

In 1914, 110 years ago exactly, British and German troops came up from the trenches to meet in no man’s land and play football. This remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce, is the subject of today’s special episode.

Instead of focusing on on... more

YouTube

12 July 1998, Paris. It’s the FIFA World Cup – France vs. Brazil. Brazil has the unstoppable Ronaldo (O Fenômeno – the Phenomenon) on their side, and crowds are expecting a Brazilian win. 

Suddenly before the match, it’s announced Ronaldo isn’t goin... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Roddy Doyle
Irish novelist, known for his books including The Commitments and The Van.
N/A
Episode: Live with Roddy Doyle: Roy Keane, Chelsea, Ireland & more
Raquel Vaz Pinto
Professor of international relations and football pundit on Portuguese television
Episode: Who is Manchester United’s new manager Ruben Amorim?
Megan Rapinoe
Retired soccer player, two-time World Cup champion, activist
US Women's National Team
Episode: Megan Rapinoe: When soccer gets political
Sepp Blatter
Former president of FIFA, a controversial figure in international football
FIFA
Episode: Sepp Blatter & the FIFA corruption scandal (ft. the man himself)
Olof Lundh
TV journalist from Sweden who knew Sven throughout his life
Episode: Sven-Göran Eriksson: A life, a legacy, a tribute
Axel Torres
Journalist and expert on Spanish football
Episode: The New Faces of Spanish Football: Lamine Yamal & Nico Williams
Khalida Popal
Founder of Afghanistan's women's national football team, author of 'My Beautiful Sisters'
Afghanistan Women's National Team
Episode: Risking their lives for football: Afghanistan's women's national team
Misal Sadat
Former defender for Afghanistan's women's national soccer team, currently residing in Melbourne, Australia
Former player of Afghanistan Women's National Team
Episode: Risking their lives for football: Afghanistan's women's national team
Latima Pouladi
Former youth national player, now in the US, currently plays high school soccer
Former player of Afghanistan Women's National Team
Episode: Risking their lives for football: Afghanistan's women's national team

Hosts

Simon Kuper
An acclaimed writer with a three-decade career covering football, Simon Kuper is recognized for his deep insights and expertise in the sport. He has attended nine World Cups and is known for connecting football narratives with broader socio-political themes for a well-rounded listener experience.
Mehreen Khan
As an Economics Editor who intertwines socio-political narratives with sports, Mehreen Khan brings a unique perspective to football discussions. A passionate football fan and one of the few female voices in this space, she focuses on how sports reflect societal issues.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 846 ratings
  • Absolutely superb!

    This is a great football podcast with excellent hosts who are knowledgeable, articulate and funny!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scalpay55
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Good stuff

    Better than anything Goalhanger churns out

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PavelNedved12
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • So good

    Love this podcast. So much better than the banal sea of football podcasts out there. Interesting, thoughtful and insightful. Please keep it going!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deebee365
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Riff & Bertie

    What a change from the run of the mill football podcasts. Brilliant, intelligent broadcasting. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Riff and Bertie
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Great find, love it.

    Just found this, love it. Kept me going in the midst of ‘newborn baby’ bubble. Great chemistry between hosts.

    Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrPeggUK
    United Kingdom9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners highlight concerns about factual inaccuracies in certain episodes, suggesting a need for tighter editorial control.
A diverse audience seems to enjoy the combination of personal stories and historical context, claiming it's a refreshing approach in the crowded podcast market.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth research and engaging storytelling that transcends typical sports commentary.
Many praise the chemistry between the hosts, noting their ability to weave socio-political narratives into football discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#234
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#52
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#1
Philippines/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#19
Philippines/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#25
Ukraine/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#48
Netherlands/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Live with Roddy Doyle: Roy Keane, Chelsea, Ireland & more
Q: What do you think of Damien Duffer? Will he do wonders for the League of Ireland?
I love Damien Duffer, a brilliant Chelsea player, and now as a manager he must be doing a great job because he's making Shelburne competitive.
Live with Roddy Doyle: Roy Keane, Chelsea, Ireland & more
Q: What did writing that book with him teach you, not just about him, but sort of about the footballer's life, something you’d seen from the outside for decades?
The single-mindedness of it really; the ability to just look straight ahead and not allow other things to distract you, and the dedication that Roy had to his work.
Cristiano Ronaldo: The alcoholic's son who became a workaholic
Q: How does Ronaldo's relationship with his father influence his life?
Ronaldo's tumultuous relationship with his alcoholic father drove him to become the opposite: a disciplined and hardworking individual who wanted to be a role model for his family.
Cristiano Ronaldo: The alcoholic's son who became a workaholic
Q: What does Ronaldo's upbringing tell us about his drive to succeed?
His challenging childhood and lack of a father figure instilled in him a relentless need to prove his worth and aspire to greatness.
Who is Liverpool manager Arne Slot?
Q: Does Slot have any weaknesses as a coach?
He's quite vain and may struggle with the intense scrutiny from the British tabloids, especially if Liverpool faces early struggles.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Heroes & Humans of Football

What is Heroes & Humans of Football about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A compelling exploration of the lives and stories behind football's biggest figures, offering a unique audio-biography approach that breaks away from traditional sports commentary. Hosted by Simon Kuper, an acclaimed writer with three decades of experience, and Mehreen Khan, an Economics Editor with a passion for intertwining socio-political themes with sports, the content covers a broad spectrum of football narratives including iconic players and pivotal moments. Each episode is well-researched, delving into personal anecdotes and cultural impacts, making it appealing not just for football fans, but for anyone interested in socio-political dynamics framed through the lens of sports. The unique combination of both hosts' backgrounds ensures... more

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How many listeners does Heroes & Humans of Football get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Heroes & Humans of Football?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heroes & Humans of Football:

1. It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast
2. The Athletic FC Podcast
3. The Rest Is Football
4. The Totally Football Show with James Richardson
5. The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

How many episodes of Heroes & Humans of Football are there?

Heroes & Humans of Football launched 2 years ago and published 48 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Heroes & Humans of Football?

Recent guests on Heroes & Humans of Football include:

1. Roddy Doyle
2. Raquel Vaz Pinto
3. Megan Rapinoe
4. Sepp Blatter
5. Olof Lundh
6. Axel Torres
7. Khalida Popal
8. Misal Sadat

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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