

Cleats
Welcome to the world of soccer and association football. From FIFA, to the Premier League, women’s soccer and more. Cleats is all about soccer.
Stats
Stories
- 2,174
Creators
- 1,074
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 5 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 about a year 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 years ago in Cleats
Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Cleats.
Colorado Buffaloes: Rising from the Ashes, A Season of Resilience and Renewed Hope
In the heart of Boulder, Colorado, a sense of excitement and anticipation fills the air as the Colorado Buffaloes football team embarks on a journey of redemption and resurgence. After enduring a challenging 2022 season that saw them finish with a dismal 1-11 record, the Buffaloes are back with a newfound determination to write a different story in the annals of college football.
Sangita NandiPublished about 10 hours ago in CleatsKlopp's Frustration Highlights Ongoing Refereeing Dilemmas in Premier League
Liverpool's manager, Jurgen Klopp, recently voiced his frustration over the officiating and decisions made by referees during his team's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for Liverpool, and Klopp had a lot to say about the red cards, controversial decisions, and his team's playing style.
Sangita NandiPublished about 10 hours ago in CleatsIf Shiekh Jassim concedes to Glazers' fresh takeover offer, four Manchester United players might be in jeopardy.
Manchester United The takeover dispute has taken a new turn amid reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe intended to modify his bid to make it more enticing to the Glazers because neither the British nor Sheikh Jassim had yet to reach the present owners' £6 billion asking price. There have been rumors, though, that Jassim could put out another offer that is more in line with that estimate, making him the potential new custodian of the club. The club would probably go on a spending binge after his arrival, which would not be good for some of the present players. And Express Sport has examined four players who could be in jeopardy of losing their jobs.
girgis isaacPublished a day ago in CleatsArsenal 2000/01 Season: The Double Delight
The 2000/01 season is etched in Arsenal Football Club's history as a season of double delight. Under the astute management of Arsène Wenger, the Gunners secured both the Premier League title and the FA Cup, showcasing a blend of attacking flair, defensive solidity, and an indomitable spirit that endeared them to fans worldwide.
Arsenal 2001/02 Season: The Invincible Dream Realized
The 2001/02 season stands as an immortal chapter in Arsenal Football Club's history—a season where dreams became reality, and invincibility was achieved. Under the guidance of Arsène Wenger, the Gunners embarked on a journey that saw them lift the Premier League trophy without a single defeat, etching their names in the annals of football history.
Arsenal 1999/2000 Season: A Quest for Glory and the Dawn of a New Millennium
As the world bid farewell to the 20th century and ushered in a new millennium, Arsenal Football Club was on a quest for glory in the 1999/2000 season. Under the tutelage of Arsène Wenger, the Gunners pursued silverware on multiple fronts, combining a blend of seasoned veterans with promising emerging talents.
Arsenal 1998/99 Season: Navigating the Challenges
The 1998/99 season was a roller-coaster ride for Arsenal Football Club, marked by both triumphs and tribulations. Under the continued stewardship of Arsène Wenger, the Gunners faced a series of challenges in their pursuit of silverware, leading to a season that tested their mettle and character.
Arsenal 1997/98 Season: The Invincibles Emerge
The 1997/98 season will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Arsenal fans, as it marked the dawn of a new era under the visionary leadership of Arsène Wenger. This season was a transformative period in the club's history, characterized by attacking flair, defensive solidity, and the crowning glory of the Premier League title.
Creators We’re Loving
The creative faces behind your favorite stories.
Madeleine Norton
8 published stories
Connor Jaramillo
2 published stories
Taru Anniina Liikanen
49 published stories
A Elizabeth
5 published stories
Hamish Alexander
53 published stories
Dalmy Alves
65 published stories
Siddharth
8 published stories
Sam Hazelwood
27 published stories
Tom Brad
59 published stories
Christopher Donovan
116 published stories
Sean Fraser
8 published stories
Adebayo Adeniran
52 published stories