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.
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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.
By Madeleine Norton3 years ago in Cleats
Charlotte 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.
By Connor Jaramillo4 years ago in Cleats
Why 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.
By Taru Anniina Liikanen4 years ago in Cleats
Reconciling 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.
By A Elizabeth4 years ago in Cleats
The 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).
By Hamish Alexander4 years ago in Cleats
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.
By Hamish Alexander5 years ago in Cleats
Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Cleats.
Top 5 Toughest Sports in the World
The idea of toughness in sport is not about only one thing. It can mean staying strong through pain, training for long hours, or performing under pressure without losing focus. It can also mean learning difficult skills while facing real injury risk. Most of the time, it is a mix of all of these. Sports that truly stand out push athletes beyond ordinary limits and are often called the toughest sports in the world.
By Sports Record and Stats about 7 hours ago in Cleats
Top 5 Lowest Targets Ever Defended in Ashes Tests in Australia
The Ashes is one of the most historic cricket rivalries, played between England and Australia every two years. Since 1882, this series has delivered some of the most thrilling and unpredictable matches in cricket history. While Australian pitches often favor batsmen, there have been occasions where teams failed to chase even very small totals. These matches are remembered as the lowest targets ever defended in Ashes Tests, showing that strong bowling, fielding, and team strategy can turn a modest total into a memorable victory. Many of these defenses, especially by England, have become legendary moments in cricket.
By Sports Record and Stats about 14 hours ago in Cleats
Top 10 Best German Footballers in 2026
Germany has always been a powerhouse in world football. The country is known for producing players who are disciplined, tactically strong, physically fit, and technically excellent. From legendary names of the past to today's young talents, German football continues to influence modern football across Europe and the world. Many of the best german footballers in 2026 play in the biggest football leagues and compete at the highest level.
By Sports Record and Stats a day ago in Cleats
Football’s Best of 2026: Ranking the Top 10 Most Valuable Players
Football’s best of 2026 represents a new era where youth, performance, and global impact define player value more than ever before. As clubs compete at the highest level and financial stakes continue to rise, the world’s most valuable footballers have become symbols of modern football excellence. According to current market valuations, these ten stars stand at the very top of football’s best of 2026, redefining what it means to be elite in the modern game.
By Sneaha Zyniia day ago in Cleats
World Cup 2026: All 1,248 Players to Be Digitally Scanned by FIFA for AI Offside Technology
FIFA is taking semi-automated offside technology to a new level at the World Cup 2026 by creating AI-enabled 3D avatars of all participating players. With the tournament set to feature 48 teams and 26-man squads, a total of 1,248 footballers will undergo digital scanning ahead of the competition across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This initiative aims to improve the accuracy and realism of VAR offside decisions while enhancing the viewing experience for fans worldwide.
By Sneaha Zyniia day ago in Cleats
Barcelona Thrash Athletic Club 5-0 as Hansi Flick’s Side Reach Supercopa Final
Barcelona delivered a ruthless performance to dismantle Athletic Club 5-0 and book their place in the Supercopa de España final in Jeddah. Hansi Flick’s side were in scintillating form as they overwhelmed their La Liga rivals, scoring four goals in a devastating first-half spell to put the Supercopa semi-final beyond doubt.
By Sneaha Zyniia day ago in Cleats
Seven-Goal Classic: Harvey Barnes Fires Newcastle to Dramatic Win Against Leeds
Harvey Barnes produced one of the most dramatic moments in Premier League history by scoring a stunning 102nd-minute winner to give Newcastle United a breathtaking 4-3 victory over Leeds United at St James’ Park. In a seven-goal thriller packed with chaos, emotion and late twists, Harvey Barnes emerged as the decisive figure on a night that will live long in the memory of Newcastle supporters.
By Sneaha Zyniia day ago in Cleats
The Australian Open Marks The Beginning of The New Year
The Grand Slam That Starts It All Every January, while much of the world is still shaking off winter, tennis fans turn their attention south—way south—to Melbourne. That’s where the season truly begins with the Australian Open, the loudest, hottest, and most unpredictable major on the calendar.
By Lawrence Lease2 days ago in Cleats
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