In a strictly sporting sense, the worst part of the pandemic was definitely the postponement of Euro 2020. On the one hand it deprived us of a month-long carnival of joy (the expanded 2016 tourney was thrilling with Wales and Iceland getting out of pocket and Portugal claiming top prize despite winning only one match in regular time), and on the other it reminded us of how dumb it is to host a major international tournament in 12 different countries (Did you ask for this? I didn’t ask for this).

But the countdown is once again on with Euro 2020 Part Deux just 283 days away!

With the 2021 Copa América approaching (it's September?), we can finally start to dream about the return of international play with its accompanying displays of passion, history and fantasy. 

Few sides stir the imagination like two-time Copa winner Chile, with stalwarts like Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel and Eduardo Vargas encapsulating an approach that can kill you in all manner of ways — just ask Messi. 

I’d like to turn you on to a couple things: (1) Red Star FC (not to be confused with Red Star Belgrade) — a 123-year-old club (France’s second-oldest) in Paris that currently plays in the third division and essentially stands in direct opposition to everything PSG. Red Star is unapologetically anti-corporate, rooted in social activism and deeply connected with the working class.

Continuing with its celebration of the intersection of art and football, adidas has revealed the first-ever artist collaboration on the legendary Predator boots after handing over the keys to London-based illustrator Reuben Dangoor. 

The viral Instagram artist is really damn good…

Goalkeepers hating new footballs is a tradition unlike any other, so prepare for an outpouring of grief come the start of the 2020-21 Premier League season as Nike debuts its new Flight ball. 

According to the geezers inside the Nike Lab, the Flight ball utilizes four panel construction — as opposed to the traditional 12-panel ball — which helps create a 30% truer flight than its predecessor (the Merlin).