The Players Tribune

Soccer

ALL STORIES

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.”

David Luiz

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

Manuel Neuer

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.”

Jesús Ferreira
Presented by Allstate

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

Roman Bürki

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.”

Lydia Williams

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. 

Jalen Neal
Presented by Dawn

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

Stefan Chirila
Presented by Allstate

I gotta start this thing by telling you a little bit about my mom, Stephanie. She’s an amazing woman.

Zack Steffen
Presented by Audi

Il mio messaggio finale a tutti voi è molto semplice: Uniamo le forze in questa lotta.

Danilo

Brazil’s captain Danilo has a message for Brazilians ahead of the Copa América: “Every run we make on the field has to be for you.”

Danilo

U.S. Men's National team midfielder Timothy Weah connected with heartfelt messages from his family ahead of the tournament kickoff this weekend.

Timothy Weah
Presented by AT&T

Gabriel Martinelli ahead of Copa América: “Brazil versus Argentina is something from another dimension, I kid you not.”

Gabriel Martinelli
Presented by Adidas

For Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, this means everything to Georgia: “Now at the Euros, for the first time ever. We can make all of Georgia happy. For Georgians, this is like a dream.”

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Xabi Alonso on the future of Leverkusen: “To be able to win the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal in my first full season as a manager is incredible, and something I do not take for granted.”

Xabi Alonso

Midfielder Ilie Sanchez knew he made the right choice to sign with LAFC when he witnessed the club's new Special Olympics Unified Team.

Ilie Sánchez
Presented by Audi

Kaká looks back on winning the 2007 Champions League with AC Milan and the struggles he faced to get there: “Playing in a Champions League final is simply: a roar. The roar of life. A sound that forges our character in victory or defeat.”

Kaká
Presented by Pepsi

Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman reflects on the five toughest opponents he's faced in his career thus far.

Walker Zimmerman
Presented by BodyArmor

A letter from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes: “This club is more than just something that I can put into a nice quote for social media. It is something that I care about deeply.”

Bruno Fernandes

Yui Hasegawa is living her dream: “I hope that I can now convey the joy of football to girls in Japan and England and all around the world.” 

Yui Hasegawa

Brandt Bronico shares his full circle story with the city: “I’m thankful that Charlotte FC brought me home, and I can only hope that I can give back to the club and city what they’ve given to me over the years.”

Brandt Bronico
Presented by Audi

The two sisters sit down and talk about their career inspirations, self care, and what it was like growing up playing with each other.

Alyssa Thompson, Gisele Thompson
Presented by Body Armor

Endrick pens a letter to his little brother, Noah: “By the time you were a baby, we were living a very different life, and that life is only going to keep changing in the years to come.”

Endrick

Dejan Kulusevski wrote this for Tottenham: “To some people in England, I’m probably still the Swedish guy with the funny name who came over from Italy.”

Dejan Kulusevski