Top Stories
Stories in Cleats that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
Are you an NBA or Major League Baseball fan? Not many sports fans in North America follow the machinations of the European soccer leagues — “football” to those in the UK — but citing the NBA or MLB seems the most effective way to tell sports fans here about a crazy new proposal called “the Super League” that has the potential to upend everything footie fans have grown to like and love about Premier League soccer in the UK — and La Liga, the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 in other countries as well.
Hamish AlexanderPublished 2 days ago in CleatsNo Room for Racism
The ritual has become set in stone. Before each and every game, across the major leagues in UK soccer but most notably in the top-flight Premier League, players from the opposing sides kneel around the center circle. They kneel partly in homage to Colin Kaepernick, the one-time NFL quarterback who sacrificed his career to show his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, but mostly as a statement against racism in general, not just in soccer but at every level of society.
Hamish AlexanderPublished 13 days ago in CleatsNo Fans? No Fun.
The banner at Old Trafford stadium is easy to spot even in good times, and these are not good times. ‘Without Fans, We Are Nothing,’ it reads.
Hamish AlexanderPublished 18 days ago in CleatsTransfer Deadline Day - The Guiltiest of Pleasures
It is Transfer Deadline Day across Europe. What is Transfer Deadline Day, I hear you ask? It's exactly that - the last day in which football clubs can either bring in (or ship out) players before the transfer window closes.
Christopher DonovanPublished 24 days ago in CleatsGood Deeds: Marcus Rashford - the conscience of a country
This is Marcus Rashford. He is a professional footballer who plays for the Premier League club Manchester United, and has also represented the England national team over forty times.
Christopher DonovanPublished 29 days ago in CleatsLet’s Look at The Best European Championship Finals
The year that was 2020 saw many big tournaments postponed, including the European Championships. All eyes often fall upon the Champion League, the biggest tournament in domestic soccer across the Atlantic, but their own major international tournament is not without its own thrills and spills. Indeed, much like the World Cup, an international tournament can often add an extra narrative depending on the countries involved and their political standing at the time.
Luke wrightPublished about a month ago in CleatsThe Soccer Pilgrim
16 March 2019. (Kick-off: 12:30h GMT+1) Real Madrid Vs. Celta Vigo It's 10 am, I had landed an hour ago and awaiting to check-in my Airbnb. My mind feels dazed and the effects of jetlag is starting to seep throughout my body. Fortunately, the warm and gentle morning sun is giving me the energy I need. Something that any Montrealer needs in March. The Canadian winter is a distant reality. Game time is soon, I can’t wait to check-in, shower, and make my way to a soccer holy site, the Santiago Bernabeu.
Jason Gisoo kimPublished about a month ago in Cleats5 ways soccer star Maradona captured the world's imagination
Argentinean soccer midfielder and striker Diego Maradona sadly died of a heart attack on Wednesday 25th of November 2020. He underwent a successful operation for a blood clot at the beginning of the month, but the reported nine ambulances sent to his Buenos Aires residence didn't arrive in time to save him from the attack.
Socially distant soccer
The training session came to an end and one of the triallists made his way over to say thanks for the opportunity. Instinctively, he offered his hand ... but right now in England, handshakes are off limits. As sport cautiously returns to action, everyone has plenty to learn.
Andy PottsPublished 8 months ago in CleatsThe Future of Manchester United
Who is Solskjaer? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a name all football fans will recognise. Beyond his recent role of caretaker "Manager at Manchester United," Ole has a well-decorated past, to say the least.
Kayleigh TaylorPublished 2 years ago in CleatsMeet FieldWiz: The Soccer Tracker That Helps Optimize Your Team's Performance
Over the past several years, the landscape of sports—both professionally and recreationally—has drastically changed. This can be attributed to two huge shifts in the culture: a new reliance upon analytics and data, and the corresponding technology that comes with it.
Connor BrightonPublished 2 years ago in CleatsThe Best Gear for Playing Soccer in the Cold
A sport that is played all around the world, soccer has been played in many weather conditions, be it under hot summer sun or in the elements of winter. In fact, many soccer players prefer to play in cold weather as opposed to really hot weather. Though difficult to breathe in the cold, hot weather can be much more dangerous when intense cardio is performed. When temperatures drop, however, it’s important to wear the correct gear for playing soccer in the cold. How to choose soccer shin guards may still be a personal preference, but in order to stay warm while running up and down the field, players need the correct head, hand, body, and foot gear. The top brands like Under Armour, Adidas, and Nike have created clothing tailored specifically for these cold weather conditions.
Brad GouldPublished 2 years ago in Cleats