Ranking Messi vs. Ronaldo in Every Category

With the title all wrapped up on Merseyside and the two leading lights of English football clashing this week, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to unleash the second in our 'VERSUS' series that takes on the biggest debates in the game. Following on from facing off Messi and CR7 in every category, we took the debate to the dugout to pit Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp against each other.  We talked tactical style, variation, trophies, transfers, player development, youth, media handling, longevity and legacy to square these two modern powerhouses of the game off, and the winner is for you to decide.  There's also hot takes, including a discussion of the Pjanic/Arthur swap deal between Barcelona and Juventus; the lowdown on Achraf Hakimi's move to Inter Milan; and of course some more love for 'Mercedes' Benzema. Plus we crown TWO Melons of the Week and Sam ranks ideas he's pitched in this week's nonsense.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 Jul 20201h 13min

On Leo Messi's 33rd birthday, it felt only right to celebrate a man who has brought football fans the world over bucketloads of joy and happiness throughout his entire career. We thought we'd give that the Ranks spin, by ranking his most breathtaking moments from years of pure genius.  With football back, we brought back the formula - Hot Takes 2.0 sees Sam talking Real Madrid and Karim Benzema's influence, Dean giving the latest on what you need to know about Sergino Dest's future destinations and Jack discussing post-match interviews—from Neal Maupay's outburst to Ben Mee's eloquence.  Then there's the return of Roulette, where we talk Cristiano and the fifth penalty conundrum, as well as which leagues we've enjoyed being back most, before Sam rounds things off with a long-awaited nonsense ranking! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Jun 202057min

Yes you read that right, it's another preview special, but this time with an added twist. We're off to Italy for the Calcio climax, the Serie A summit; rife with races for European escapades and a six-way survival scrap.  And alongside Jack is Marco Messina, of Italian Football TV - the NYC boys making big waves in the world of Calcio - who comes to give us his in-depth knowledge of what's going on in Italy as the season starts once again; before Dean joins us to talk the big transfer stories happening across the division.  Oh and there's the interviews: JC and Sam meet Justin Kluivert, Roma winger, who tells us what three-course meal he'd cook for Francesco Totti and what tunes he's playing in the dressing room. And the incredibly talented Juventus and Turkey starlet Merih Demiral gives us his first ever English-language interview about his teammates and the Juve squad.  How's that for a bonus episode? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Jun 20201h 5min

The Premier League becomes the latest league to restart, meaning there's a whole new set of mini-rankings to look at - no title fight to speak of, but there's exceptionally exciting races for the Champions League and Europa League places, as well as a relegation battle with six teams scrapping for their lives at the bottom.  On top of that, we know you're gasping for some FPL tips to save your season, so we brought in the brilliant FPL Family, Lee and Sam, to give us their best advice for the rest of the season.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Jun 20201h 7min

This week B/R Football played host to a round table on racism in the game and beyond with some friends, colleagues and heroes of the Rank Squad. We wanted to give you a chance to listen to that discussion, in full, here on the podcast.  Hosted by Kate Abdo, the conversation features the USMNT and Schalke’s Weston McKennie, World Cup winning USWNT star Crystal Dunn, and former players and B/R broadcasters Tim Howard and Maurice Edu talking about the experiences they’ve had in the game and further afield. There is no place for racism, in football or beyond.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Jun 202059min

La Liga becomes the second of Europe's big five leagues to return this week, following in the footsteps of the Bundesliga and there's plenty to be excited about in Spain: a title race, a Champions League race, a Europa League race and a relegation scrap all in the balance. We discuss all of it in a La Liga special, alongside the three players you need to watch outside of the top two, and the games we're most looking forward to—starting with the Seville Derby that kicks us off on Thursday.  There's also a chat with our friend Stu Holden, who's a part-owner of relegation-threatened Real Mallorca. He talks about what it's been like owning a club in this weird time, and how the club is looking to avoid the drop back into the Segunda.  If you want more Ranks content, make sure you're locked in as Sam and Jack commentate on Sevilla-Real Betis on Thursday night (9pm UK/4pm ET/1pm PT) on the HotMic app - sign up using the code RANKS! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Jun 202058min

Alex Inglethorpe is the Academy Manager at Liverpool and former Youth Coach at Tottenham, one of the most highly regarded youth coaches on the planet, and has helped bring through talents such as Harry Kane and Trent-Alexander Arnold among many more. He joins the Rank Squad to talk about what elite players such as these have in common, and how they rise above the rest in a field full of talent.  We talk mentality, love of the game, attitude and much more, and with the added benefit that Alex used to coach our very own Dean Jones at semi-pro level many years ago, there's a fair bit of reminiscing too.  And, of course, we talk about the horrific events that have rocked the planet this weekend and the response in football. There is no place for racism, in football or anywhere beyond.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Jun 202058min

This Saturday should have been the 2020 Champions League Final, with thousands descending on the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, 15 years after the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005 took place on the same turf. Other circumstances mean that can't be the case, but we thought it was a good time to look back on the last 20 finals and rank them in terms of entertainment, drama and footballing quality.  Would the last visit to the Ataturk top the list? Or could it be topped by La Decima, or the Madness in Moscow, or one of the Wembley wonders? Only one way to find out... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Mai 202059min