Soccer

Ahead of the Champions League Final, Beth Mead pens this letter to her mum: “I know that my mum will be watching down on us – her girls.”

Arda Güler goes deep on his journey to Real Madrid: “I want to lead the way for a new generation of Turkish players.”

Luca de la Torre pens a letter to San Diego FC fans: “This is a football city, everyone knows that. This sport is in the blood of the people here. I can guarantee you that I’ll do everything I can to help this team be successful.”

Luca de la Torre escribe una carta a los fanáticos de San Diego FC: “Esta es una ciudad de fútbol, todo el mundo lo sabe. La gente de aquí lleva este deporte en la sangre.”

Four years ago, Alisson Becker lost his father. He pens this letter to his family — at home and at Liverpool F.C.: “I know that a part of my Dad is still here with us, too.”

On his 18th birthday, Estêvão writes a touching tribute to his mom and dad: “You will always be my two biggest idols. Whatever I achieve, I will owe it to you.”

This is the boy named Givanildo. I came from Campina Grande, Paraíba, and you know me as “Hulk” on these pitches. 

Last September, Manchester United and England midfielder Ella Toone lost her dad. She wrote this for him: “This is my first try at really talking about it.... But I wanted to write this, for anyone grieving and feeling alone.”

Cody Gakpo reflects on his road to Liverpool: “That’s the ‘story’ of our season in a nutshell. We built this brick by brick. And now, we’re in a good place to really challenge for the title.”

Darlington Nagbe has been named the recipient of the 2024 Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award.

Jamal Musiala on his journey so far: “We had just moved from Germany to England for my mum to finish her degree, and I was still learning English. I kind of spoke a mix of German and English and ‘Football.’” 

Mario Götze pens a letter to his kids: “I want you to hear the real version — from me.”

Mallory Swanson: “It’s a full 90 minutes from everybody. It’s all the matches that came before. All the training sessions. It took all of us.“

Jalen Neal shares words from his mom that helped him kickstart his journey of giving back to the Long Beach community: “At the end of the day, we’re all human…And everybody deserves to be treated with kindness.”

Retired MLS striker and two-time Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips breaks down the art of goal scoring and analyzes this year's Golden Boot nominees.

Four-time MLS Cup champion Darlington Nagbe reflects on how the game of soccer changed his life and how he gives back to the game he loves.

From uni student to Manchester City to Ballon d’Or finalist. This is Rodri: “My whole life, I have lived between these two worlds. One football, the other the ‘real world.’” 

This is David Luiz’s story in his own words: “Football is a special thing because it enables this type of connection between people. And people are the most important thing in the world.”

Manuel Neuer says goodbye to the German national team: “I was torn between my head and my heart.”

FC Dallas and USMNT forward Jesús Ferreira has a message for soccer's next generation: “Everyone’s path is different, but no matter where you come from, there are some lessons in this game that are timeless.”

Roman Bürki opens up about failure, rejection and mental health: “I was literally too anxious to play football.”

Lydia Williams writes a letter to the Matildas: “The Matildas became like a second family to me.... If I made mistakes, it was OK. If I broke down crying in training, nobody told me to go home.”

LA Galaxy defender Jalen Neal reflects on what it meant to sign his first professional contract with his hometown team. With the Home Advantage, having his family and friends support him every step of the way made the journey even more special. 

Get to know 17-year-old MLS NEXT MVP and rising star, Stefan Chirila, through MLS soccer legend and lead soccer analyst, Taylor Twellman.