NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
Soccer clubs, the perfect home ground for brand sponsorship?
It’s not just the packed stadiums, t-shirt sales or television that rings the till for football clubs, brand sponsorship also brings in quite a significant portion.
UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 2): Group A
Real Madrid vs Club Brugge
Galatasaray vs PSG
UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group A
Club Brugge vs Galatasaray
PSG vs Real Madrid
How can La Liga grow their audience as a league?
They play some of the best football on the globe, if not the best and have quality players to show for it. Two of the best clubs in the world are hosted by La Liga Santander but have their strategic business planning been letting them down in past times? What could they do better?
How will Atletico Madrid fare in their new era?
Read our take on how the Portuguese sensation Joao Felix has seamlessly integrated into Diego Simeone’s new Atleti which curled the former heroes and are looking to patiently build towards a future in which they could dominate Spanish football as Barca and rivals Real Madrid have stuttered to start the 19/20 season.
Hazard, Griezmann, De Jong, Vinicius: What's in store for the next era of El Clásico?
Same old destiny changing El Clásico, the best of rivalries but new season and definitely new faces. Hazard to rival Messi? Or should we just look at the exciting youth talents of Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Frenkie de Jong, Junior Firpo amongst others? Yes, it’s about that Real Madrid & Barcelona clash but with the ability to decide the fate of the La Liga title or any other top flight titles. All we can is, popcorn please!
Why Zinedine Zidane’s return to Real Madrid is a flex
He came, he saw, he conquered and came back for more. Real Madrid posed as the ‘prodigal club’ in calling back their three consecutive UEFA Champions League hero back to the Spanish capital after two unsuccessful attempts at replacing him. The Frenchman seemingly has all his demands met and keen to work the club back to La Liga and European dominance.
Is Karim Benzema the best striker in Real Madrid’s club history?
As far as unsung heroes are concerned, Benz definitely ranks high in that category. The Frenchman has been in the books of the La Liga club for almost a decade and really staking a claim as the greatest striker the club has had. Is there really a case for him though?
Why a Hazard move to Real Madrid makes sense this summer
The Garden of Eden in West London’s Stamford Bridge could very soon have to let go of the talisman. Belgium’s captain who recently wore his 100th cap for the country is tipped to join record Champions League winners, Real Madrid. The move just makes sense.
UCL: Ajax schooling Real Madrid, the climax of football entertainment
Ajax were fearless and unrelenting in their pursuit of the champions’ scalp. They came to the Bernabeu, saw and conquered. The Dutch Eredivisie side are now in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time 16 years.
Africans In The UCL: Morocco well represented as Ajax lose to VAR assisted Madrid
It’s advantage Real Madrid heading into the second leg of their tie with Ajax. However, De Godenzonen can take many positives from their 2-1 loss to the defending Champions League title holders - check our our take on why.
UCL Preview: Ziyech and Ajax target the scalp of the champions
The 13-time record UCL champions are up against one of the most underrated sides in the knockout stages, Ajax Amsterdam. It’s no free pass for Solari’s men and Ziyech of Morocco will definitely make sure of that.
We argue Real Madrid could be fixed in two Senegalese signatures
Adding strength and dynamism to Real Madrid may not be rocket science after all. In Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal might just be the answer to the 3-peat UEFA Champions League winners’ ills. Los Blancos are struggling to keep up with La Liga bitter rivals, Barcelona.
Coin Toss: Will Manchester United sack Mourinho to get Zidane?
Manchester United have secured just two wins in the first four matches and the media reports have not been tight lipped on the supposed rift between manager Jose Mourinho and world cup winner Pogba. With the serial Champions League winner, Zidane currently jobless, will he eventually be called up for the United job if Mourinho is showed the door?
FT In The Future: Asensio and Richarlison usher in the new generation for Spain and Brazil
Richarlison’s slick start at Premier League side, Everton continued with a brace for Brazil and Real Madrid’s Asensio made a powerful statement in the UEFA Nations League. He looks set to star in La Liga and eventually work to ensure Los Blancos will not miss Cristiano Ronaldo. The story about these two is a story of the future.
FT Hidden Gem Series: Who is Tinotenda Kadewere?
The young Zimbabwe warriors striker is quite just a pin in the haystack of global football right now. But he helped Swedish outfit Djugardens to a an unlikely title, won the COSAFA prize with his nation and got signed by French Ligue 2 side this summer, Le Havre. What we see in him, we have seen in many other younger players that left a mark, he is on the up.
Atletico Madrid fire warning shots with Super Cup triumph over Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid claimed the UEFA Super Cup after beating Champions League holders, Real Madrid, 4-2 in Estonia.
FT French Ligue 1 Preview: PSG must win the UEFA Champions League to keep Neymar
Neymar has committed his near future to PSG, but can the Parisians expect the Brazilian to stay if they don’t secure a Champions League title soon?