Spotify está listo para aumentar la diversión dentro y fuera de la cancha como partner de audio oficial de la Américas Kings League Santander. Anteriormente nos aliamos con Kings League y Queens League España, y esta nueva alianza ampliará el contenido exclusivo que estamos creando para los fans del fútbol de todo el mundo.
Kings League Santander fue fundada en 2023 por Grupo Kosmos y el exdefensa del Barcelona y España Gerard Piqué. El juego consiste en fútbol siete, además mezcla elementos del fútbol competitivo con la suerte y el entretenimiento. Las jornadas capturaron millones de visitas de fans a quienes les encantó el formato creativo.
Ahora, la liga llega a Latinoamérica y, con el apoyo de Spotify, los fans podrán conectar con sus equipos favoritos, tanto dentro como fuera del campo.
La experiencia en Spotify
Spotify es la única plataforma de streaming de audio donde los usuarios pueden descubrir la música favorita de los presidentes de clubes, incluidos Chicharito (Olimpo United), Germán Garmendia (Real Titan), WestCol y Arcángel (West Santos FC), Donato (Los Chamos FC), Jero Freixas (Muchachos FC). ), Los Futbolitos y Alofoke (Galácticos del Caribe), entre otros.
Dentro del hub de Spotify de la Américas Kings League Santander, los fans podrán escuchar la playlist oficial de la competencia, que se actualizará a medida en que avancen las jornadas. Además, cada uno de los 12 clubes tendrá su propia playlist. Este hub será el mejor lugar para que los aficionados se preparen para los partidos de cada semana.
Spotify en la cancha
Para esta nueva alianza, Spotify desempeñará un papel clave gracias al arma secreta de Spotify. Al inicio de cada partido, los entrenadores de cada equipo sacarán una carta aleatoria de un maletín con muchas opciones que les pondrán en ventaja o desventaja, dependiendo de su suerte. Esta Arma Secreta de Spotify que va desde un shootout a favor, la expulsión de un rival por 4 minutos, hasta un gol doble.
Es posible que los partidos aún no hayan comenzado, pero puedes prepararte ahora para la Kings League Santander visitando nuestro hub con la playlist oficial y también playlists para todo los equipos de la competencia.
Spotify is ready to amp up the fun on and off the pitch as the official audio partner of the Americas Kings League Santander. We’ve previously partnered with Kings League and Queens League Spain, and this new partnership will expand on the exclusive content we’re creating for football fans around the world.
Kings League Santander was founded in 2023 by Grupo Kosmos and former Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Piqué. Gameplay consists of seven-a-side football, as well as elements of competitive football mixed with luck and entertainment. Games captured millions of views from fans who loved the creative format.
Now the league is coming to Latin America and, with Spotify’s support, fans will be able to connect more with their favorite teams both off and on the field.
On-platform play
Spotify is the only audio-streaming platform where users can discover music favorites from club presidents including Chicharito (Olimpo United), Germán Garmendia (Real Titan), WestCol and Arcángel (West Santos FC), Donato (Los Chamos FC), Jero Freixas (Muchachos FC), Los Futbolitos, and Alofoke (Galácticos del Caribe), among others.
Within Spotify’s Americas Kings League Santander on-platform hub, fans will be able to listen to the official competition playlist, which will be updated as the rounds progress. Additionally, each of the 12 clubs will have its own playlist. The hub is a fan’s top companion as they prepare for the matches every week.
On-field fun
For this new collaboration, Spotify will play a key role thanks to the Spotify Secret Weapon. At the start of each game, the coaches of each team will draw a random card from a briefcase with many options that put them at either an advantage or disadvantage, depending on their luck. These Spotify Secret Weapons range from a shootout in favor, the expulsion of a rival for four minutes, or a double goal.
The games may not have kicked off yet, but you can get ready now for the Kings League Santander by checking out our dedicated hubwith theofficial playlist and a playlist for each and every team in the competition, too.
In particular, Spotify has featured a number of African artists in these moments throughout our partnership. We’ve played their songs through stadium speakers, showcased their names pitch-side on LED screens during matches, and added their tracks to playlists on the official FC Barcelona page on Spotify so that fans worldwide can enjoy the exposure this partnership has offered them. With 23 million FC Barcelona fans in the Middle East and Africa, this also marked a great opportunity to bring their local talent to a grand, global stage. And now, artists like ODUMODUBLVCK, Pabi Cooper, Teni, and Ch’cco are front and center in our latest video campaign.
We also took a selection of Egyptian creators, like professional football presenter Ibrahim Fayek, on an exclusive tour to watch FC Barcelona matches.
Read on to get to know the 20 dynamic artists who have commanded the spotlight alongside FC Barcelona.
Afroto
Egypt
Since emerging on the scene in 2016, rapper Afroto has won over fans with hit singles like “Brazil” and “7ALA.”
Amir Eid
Egypt
A singer, composer, guitarist, and actor, Amir Eid is best known as the lead singer of Cairokee, one of Egypt’s top rock bands.
A-Reece
South Africa
Rapper A-Reece’s career took off with the release of his best-known single, “Mgani”; and following the release of his debut album, heaveN caN waiT: thE narroW dooR (vol.1), in 2021, his star has continued to rise.
BNXN
Nigeria
Following the release of “Spiritual,” his 2019 collaboration with Zlatan, Afro-fusion artist Bnxn (fka Buju) has gained attention for his infectious hooks, which have featured on other popular Afropop songs over the years.
Ch’cco
South Africa
After the popular choreography-infused song “Nkao Tempela” became a viral hit in 2019, Ch’cco immediately became a name to remember. Since then, he followed up with hit single “Pele Pele” and was featured on Pabi Cooper’s 2022 hit “Banyana Ke Bafana.”
CKay
Nigeria
With one of the most popular Afrobeats songs of all time, “love nwantiti (ah ah ah),” to his name, CKay is one of the Nigerian artists responsible for turning Afrobeats into a global phenomenon.
Davido
Nigeria
One of the most popular afrobeats artists in the world, Davido is referred to as “OBO” by his fans. In 2019, his smash hit “Fall” made history when it became one of the longest-charting Nigerian pop songs, and he reached new heights in 2023 with “UNAVAILABLE,” his collaboration with Musa Keys.
Essam Sasa
Egypt
One of the fastest-rising artists to come out of the region recently, Essam Sasa continues to peak on Spotify’s Egypt charts with hits like “Yalla Nedy Lely Baana Bosa.” The pop star is known for his contemporary take on traditional genres, like Shaabi music.
Fireboy DML
Nigeria
After his hit single “Scatter” was included on EA’s FIFA 21 Soundtrack, Fireboy DML quickly made a name for himself around the world. In 2022, the singer released his third studio album, Playboy, to great fanfare.
Joeboy
Nigeria
Popular among Gen Zs and millennials due to his timeless love songs, Joeboy caught everyone’s attention with his 2019 hit “Baby” and has since been able to establish himself as one of the finest voices in Afrobeats and R&B.
Lloyiso
South Africa
When Lloyiso released “Nontsikelelo” in 2018, he reminded the music industry why he placed in the top five of the popular singing competition Idols SA as a 16-year-old back in 2015. Today, the 24-year-old is a mainstay on local and international stages, opening for renowned artists such as Tamia.
Major League Djz
South Africa
Credited with amplifying the global presence of amapiano, Major League Djz are a cornerstone of South Africa’s music scene. Their popular releases, “Ndikuze” and “Shoota Moghel,” continue to dominate the dance floors from Mamelodi to Soweto.
ODUMODUBLVCK
Nigeria
Starting his music journey in Abuja, rapper ODUMODUBLVCK rose to fame with his breakthrough song “Picanto.” Earlier this year, he took over the airwaves with his hit “Declan Rice,” catching the attention of the professional footballer following its release.
Olamide
Nigeria
The success of many street pop and Afrobeats artists can be linked to Olamide, whose record label YBNL is home to like-minded artists Fireboy DML and Asake. His debut single, “Eni Duro,” propelled Olamide to stardom in 2010 and he has since become one of the most revered figures in the Nigerian music scene, most notably releasing the hit single “Infinity” withOmah Lay in 2020.
Pabi Cooper
South Africa
Also known as “Pretoria’s finest,” Pabi Cooper traded her life as an influencer and content creator for one as an artist with the release of her 2021 single “Isiphithiphithi.” One of the most recognizable amapiano artists in South Africa, she has gone on to release notable singles like “Waga Bietjie” and “Banyana Ke Bafana.”
SPINALL
Nigeria
An internationally recognized Nigerian DJ and producer, SPINALLis known for his signature hats. His collaborations with Wizkid and Mr Eazi have contributed to his growing popularity around the world.
Teni
Nigeria
Fondly referred to as Teni Makanaki by her fans, this exciting talent introduced herself to the world with her hit 2018 single “Fargin.” Since then, she has successfully challenged gender stereotypes and worked to redefine the modern image of a celebrity, allowing fans to focus on her amazing music, which includes singles like “Case” and the Davido collaboration “FOR YOU.”
Tyla
South Africa
Known as the princess of amapiano, Tyla first gained recognition in 2019 when she dropped her single “Getting Late.” The singer has enjoyed a red-hot 2023, making global waves with her hit single “Water,” which has generated over 120 million streams on Spotify to date, and starring in a RADAR Africa mini-documentary that tracks her ascent to the global spotlight.
Wizkid
Nigeria
Referred to by some as the biggest Afrobeats artist in the world, Wizkid is one of the most influential African artists of all time. He first caught the ears of fans worldwide with his 2014 single “Ojuelegba,” which earned a remix from Drake a year later. His Grammy-nominated collaboration with Tems, “Essence,” was dubbed the best song of the summer by Rolling Stone in 2020. Last year, the star released More Love, Less Ego, his fifth studio album.
Zlatan
Nigeria
Considered the pioneer of the zanku dance style popularized by his single of the same name, Zlatan Ibile shook the streets of Nigeria and has become one of the most buzzed-about artists in the country, also appearing on Chinko Ekun’s 2018 hit “Able God.”
As football fans everywhere turn their attention to the action in Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup, Spotify is here to celebrate the biggest global party of 2023.
For the first time ever, players are celebrating their sport together with EQUAL’s THE PLAYERS—our all-women football playlist that’s built by the world’s most-adored players.
“We love to bring together the worlds of music and sports,” Taj Alavi, Spotify’s VP, Global Head of Marketing, remarked. “THE PLAYERS playlist is so exciting because it involves incredible female athletes from around the world and extends our commitment to shine a spotlight on women in music.”
“There are a lot of similarities amongst the World Cup athletes and EQUAL artists; the greatest being that they all wish to experience greater equity while pursuing their passions,” explained Bel Aztiria, Spotify’s EQUAL Music Lead. “THE PLAYERS offers a new destination for soccer and music fans alike to gather and celebrate football’s return to the global stage.”
Curated by nearly 40 players—including 27 who are representing their home nations in the tournament—across 15 countries, the playlist includes selections from Alex Morgan (USA), Crystal Dunn (USA), Jess Carter (England), Laura Giuliani (Italy),Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), Lina Magull (Germany), Remy Siemsen (Australia), Meikayla Moore (New Zealand),and Ashley Lawrence (Canada). Featuring more than 120 tracks by women artists, THE PLAYERS is a true representation of women’s football around the world.
“Growing up I always wondered what my favorite athletes listened to while preparing for a major competition,” Ashley Lawrence said. “It’s so cool to be able to collaborate on a playlist with female athletes across the globe spanning all levels. This initiative is showing the importance of highlighting the achievements of women both in sport and music.”
For fans, the world of sports is more than what happens on the field or the outcome on the scoreboard. It’s about bringing people together. In this way, sports and music are similar—especially when it comes to the passion that fans have for each.
This week at Spotify Beach at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Spotify’s Head of Music, JeremyErlich,hosted a conversation between former FC Barcelona player CescFàbregas, freestyle footballer PolaGomez, Coca Cola’s VP of Global Sports and Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships, BradfordRoss, and Samsung’s European CMO, BenjaminBraun. Together, they dove into the fan culture surrounding sports, music and the ways each brand has harnessed this passion.
“About a year ago, we signed our partnership with FC Barcelona,” Jeremy said at the start of the conversation. “It’s been an amazing partnership. Together, we set out to bring the world of Football and Music together. For us, it’s about how we can use FC Barcelona’s huge scale and fanbase to celebrate artists and grow our brand in places like India, Indonesia and Latin America. Football and sport are different from music, but they have the similarities of having very passionate fan bases and having very young fanbases.”
CescFàbregas knows something about an active fanbase. He joined his first professional team, Arsenal, at age 16, coming off the World Cup tournament where he was voted the best player and goal scorer. “Even though we lost the final against Brazil, that’s the first time I started signing shirts and taking pictures with people.” A few years later, Cesc joined his home country’s Football Club Barcelona, and led the team to victory at the world championships at age 23. But he stays humble.
“I always say that in football, you never know everything,” said Cesc. “It’s one of those sports you can always grow, even when you’re 32, 35, 37, and everyone around me has helped me learn. Everyday, I’m thankful for that.”
PolaGomez also started playing football at a young age, thanks to her family’s love of the sport. But after sustaining injuries to both knees, she transitioned to football freestyle, where she interacts with most of her fans through social media. “I am on social media first for sharing my passion, sharing my tricks, but also to show off this incredible football freestyle universe. I love being close to my community, to share tips, but also to motivate people, especially girls trying out the sport of their dreams,” she said.
Jeremy dove deeper into music and branding with each athlete, and how their sport brings fans together. Read on for some top moments from their conversation.
Cesc: It [The Spotify partnership with FC Barcelona] is another level. You see how big the club can be around the world. Everywhere you go, they know you. They know the players, they know the brand. Spotify has made a great choice in joining us.
Jeremy: As part of our Barcelona partnership, twice this past year for the Clásico, which is one of the most watched sports in the world, we replaced the Spotify jersey with an artist logo. We did Drake for the first Clásico, and then we did ROSALiA for the second. And let’s specifically talk about ROSALiA: She’s been a Barcelona fan her entire life. So the emotional connection when we offered her the opportunity to be on the jersey was, I think, one of the most enriching things we’ve done with an artist. She was moved to tears because her family and all her friends could see her on the jersey. But I think that really brings the strength of local connections.
Cesc: I think music has a really big, big part for us in football. Normally, there’s one designated player that will take charge of the music and will play music that everyone likes. But Spain is the place where there’s the most chaos because everyone likes a different type of music.
So each game, we pick a player who will dictate what’s going to happen musically in the locker room. It’s really, really important because in this half an hour before the game when we listen to music, we also just pump everyone up and we get motivated and excited for the game.
Sometimes we have one song that we all pick that we all feel identified with and we’ll just go for it. And you know it’s time for action.
Jeremy: When you think of what you want brands to associate with you, what do you think of? What’s most important to you?
Pola: Most important for me is to keep my image as a strong woman with my style. I really try to accept only brands with my values and ethics. At first, I posted just for me, and now all people can see my free style and they love and appreciate it. It’s just crazy—I don’t really have words for that, but it’s just so cool to be able to simply enjoy my passion. I can’t imagine my life without my ball. We are like a duo. We express ourselves together.
Cesc: I think it’s most important to bring everyone together and fight for what’s good and fight against what’s not good. Because we always have a big thing to say as sportsmen, as people who represent many, many things around the world in terms of culture and diversity. We just have to always be positive and try to improve as the world is trying to improve.
Over the last two weekends, both FC Barcelona and FC Barcelona Femení extended their respective title race leads with their El Clásico victories. The highly anticipated matches, hosted on the Spotify Camp Nou pitch, had extra star power thanks to the clubs’ special-edition ROSALÍA shirts.
Kitted out for victory
During the epic showdowns, both FC Barcelona and FC Barcelona Femení players wore the MOTOMAMI shirts to celebrate the first anniversary of ROSALÍA’s latest album. Following the reveal of the special match kit on March 15, searches for “ROSALÍA” and “MOTOMAMI” on Spotify increased more than 100% globally and nearly 200% in Spain compared to the previous day. ROSALÍA herself even earned a social media milestone, with her announcement post on Instagram becoming her most-liked of all time.
And fans were just getting started.
In the hour following the final whistle of the men’s match, global streams of ROSALÍA tracks climbed on Spotify:
More than 220% in Egypt
170% in Morocco
Nearly 70% in Nigeria
Nearly60% in Sweden and India
55% in Poland
More than 50% in South Africa
More than 45% in Chile
More than25% in Australia and Brazil
More than 20% in Indonesia, the U.K., South Korea, and Spain*
Over the past month, football fans around the world joined together to cheer on their countries’ teams as they competed in the world’s biggest sporting event. And whether it was with classic anthems, podcasts, or destinations, Spotify was there to soundtrack the biggest goals, victories, and moments of glory that the world’s game produced.
As the tournament unfolded, there were many unexpected victories and moments of excitement that sparked fans to celebrate with their favorite anthems. And we’ve helped fans capture those moments by tracking some of the key trends and creating new experiences.
Let’s revisit some of Spotify’s big musical moments from the tournament.
Ultimately, the quest for football glory came down to Argentina and France, with Argentina the celebratory victor! In Argentina, football fans were able to enjoy a special Spotify destination from the start of the tournament. Along the way, La Mosca Tse-Tse’s anthem “Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar” saw a massive spike in popularity, and following Argentina’s unprecedented victory, there was a 4,300% increase in global streams of “Muchachos” on Spotify globally, with a 5,300% increase of streams from Argentina specifically.
Fans also celebrated with Queen’s “We Are The Champions,” which saw a 320% increase in streams in Argentina following the final game.
There was also something for French fans, who streamed our playlist Allez Les Bleus !, which features local and global football anthems from past and present.
Overall, Gala’s 1997 hit “Freed From Desire” proved to be one of the standout football anthems over the last month, with fans in France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Poland all flocking to the song.
Following Saudi Arabia’s historic upset of Argentina in the group stages of the tournament, Spotify Arabia celebrated by highlighting Madonna’s 1996 hit from the musical Evita, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” The song saw an over 1,200% increase in streaming in Saudi.
As Morocco carried out its Cinderella run throughout the tournament, fans listened to our new playlist Dima Maroc, which includes Hamid Bouchnak’s fan-favorite football anthem “Allez Allez Maroc — Les lions de l’Atlas,” which had an almost 5,000% stream spike during the tournament from listeners around the world.
After four long years, the biggest sporting event on the planet is finally back. All around the world, football fans are passionately supporting their national teams and celebrating the world’s game by listening to their favorite anthems.
While every country has its own iconic football songs, fans everywhere share a common love of the official anthems from past tournaments. We took a look at our listening data to figure out which official football anthems were the most popular.
But the fun’s not stopping there. Across the globe, fans and creators have released a wide variety of playlists and podcasts as they get ready for the big tournament. And while we’ve already shared some of these offerings, such as the podcast22 Goals, there is plenty more that we’re excited to help the world discover.
Fans get in on the action
In addition to listening to their favorite tournament anthems, fans have turned into creators, making their own football-related playlists that have attracted a staggering number of listeners.
And when it comes to the countries that have created the most football-related playlists, our data shows them as Argentina, Brazil, and then Mexico.
Given Latin America’s support of football on Spotify, it only made sense to help fans discover the wealth of content that is out there for them to enjoy. That’s why we’ve created a special hub full of the country’s top football playlists and podcasts.
Relive the biggest moments in tournament history with Maldini Mundial
Just in time for the big tournament, football fans in Spain can now enjoy Maldini Mundial, a new Spotify Original podcast. Over the course of 10 episodes, Maldini Mundial takes listeners through the most incredible and surprising anecdotes from football’s world tournaments, narrated by one of the world’s leading experts on international football, Julio Maldonado Maldini.
In the first episode, “Maradona and the Shirt of God,” the story revolves around Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona and his miraculous goal during the 1986 tournament in Mexico that’s regarded as one of the greatest of all time. The second episode, “The Sparwasser Legend,” takes a look at Jürgen Sparwasser, the East German footballer who scored the lone goal that propelled his side over West Germany during the 1974 tournament amid a backdrop of political complexity. Every Friday until December 16, Spotify users can enjoy a new episode of the show.
Get to know one of Germany’s rising stars
On November 24, we’ll be premiering a new podcast for German football fans: Karim & Ben Machen Auge. In this series, footballer Karim Adeyemi—the 20-year-old rising star who plays for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the German national team—teams up with his best friend Ben Bako to offer a close-up look at his rise to stardom, and takes a look back at a defining year that has culminated in a trip to the big tournament.
But more than revisiting his triumphs on the pitch, the show also looks at the personal side of Karim and his life as a friend, son, rebel, rap fan, and gamer. During each episode, Karim and Ben will go back and forth with one another, talking about sports, pop culture, music, fashion, and more.
So, are you ready to support your team? The biggest sporting event in the world promises to bring plenty of thrills, and with Spotify, you can soundtrack every moment of glory.
Get into the tournament spirit with our playlist Himnos de Futbol:
Después de cuatro largos años, el evento deportivo más grande del planeta finalmente está de regreso. En todo el mundo, los fanáticos del fútbol apoyan apasionadamente a sus selecciones nacionales y celebran el hermoso juego escuchando sus himnos favoritos.
Si bien cada país tiene sus propias canciones icónicas de fútbol, los fanáticos de todo el mundo comparten un amor común por los himnos oficiales de torneos anteriores. Echamos un vistazo a nuestros datos de escucha para averiguar qué himnos oficiales de fútbol fueron los más populares.
Pero la diversión no se detiene ahí. En todo el mundo, fanáticos y creadores han lanzado una amplia variedad de playlists y podcasts mientras se preparan para el gran torneo. Y si bien ya hemos compartido algunas de estas producciones, como el podcast22 Goles, hay muchas más que estamos ansiosos por ayudarte a descubrirlas.
Los fanáticos entran en acción
Además de escuchar los himnos de sus campeonatos favoritos, los aficionados se han convertido en creadores y han hecho sus propias playlists relacionadas con el fútbol que han atraído a un número asombroso de oyentes.
Y cuando se trata de los países que han creado más playlists relacionadas con el fútbol, nuestros datos muestran que el país con más listas asociadas al mundo del fútbol es Argentina, seguido de Brasil y México.
Dado el apoyo de América Latina a este hermoso deporte en Spotify, hacía sentido ayudar a los fanáticos a descubrir la gran cantidad de contenido que existe para que lo puedan disfrutar. Es por eso que hemos creado unespecial lleno de las mejores playlists y podcasts de fútbol de distintos países.
Revive los mejores momentos de la historia del torneo con Maldini Mundial
Justo a tiempo para el gran torneo, los aficionados al fútbol en España ya pueden disfrutar deMaldini Mundial, un nuevo podcast de Spotify Original. A lo largo de 10 episodios, Maldini Mundial lleva a los oyentes a través de las anécdotas más increíbles y sorprendentes de la historia de los torneos mundiales de fútbol, narradas por uno de los mayores expertos mundiales en fútbol internacional, Julio Maldonado Maldini.
En el primer episodio, “Maradona y la camiseta de Dios”, la historia gira en torno a la leyenda del fútbol argentino Diego Maradona y su gol milagroso durante el torneo de 1986 en México, considerado uno de los más grandes de todos los tiempos. El segundo episodio, “La leyenda de Sparwasser”, echa un vistazo a Jürgen Sparwasser, el futbolista de Alemania Oriental que anotó el único gol que impulsó a su equipo sobre Alemania Occidental durante el torneo de 1974 en medio de un contexto de complejidad política. Cada viernes, hasta el 16 de diciembre, los usuarios de Spotify podrán disfrutar de un nuevo episodio del programa.
Conoce a una de las estrellas emergentes de Alemania
El 24 de noviembre estrenaremos un nuevo podcast para los aficionados al fútbol alemán: Karim & Ben Machen Auge. En esta serie, el futbolista Karim Adeyemi, la estrella en ascenso de 20 años que juega para el club de la Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund y el equipo nacional alemán, se une a su mejor amigo Ben Bako para ofrecer una mirada de cerca a su ascenso al estrellato. y repasa un año decisivo que ha culminado con un viaje al gran torneo.
Pero más que repasar sus triunfos sobre la cancha, el programa también mira el lado personal de Karim y su vida como amigo, hijo, rebelde y rapero. Durante cada episodio, Karim y Ben hablarán sobre deportes, cultura pop, música, moda y mucho más.
Entonces, ¿estás listo para apoyar a tu equipo? El evento deportivo más grande del mundo promete traer muchas emociones y con Spotify puedes escuchar cada momento de gloria.
Sumérgete en el espíritu del torneo con nuestra playlist Himnos de Futbol:
There are few sports that have the power to captivate a critical mass of the global population quite like soccer (aka football) does. And every four years, fans rally behind their nations and experience the highs and lows of the beautiful game in one of the biggest tournaments in the world.
As hype builds for the tournament in Qatar this November, Brian Phillips, Senior Staff Writer for The Ringer, is taking time to revisit some of the most memorable and significant goals of past competitions in the new Spotify Original Podcast 22 Goals.
Premiering today, the weekly podcast will explore those moments on the field that brought joy—or despair—to entire nations. But the show also dives into the cultural impact each of these 22 goals had off the pitch, highlighting how they continue to transcend the game itself.
For the Record sat down with Brian to discuss the inspiration behind the podcast, why big goals leave such an indelible mark on soccer fans, and what listeners can expect from the show as it leads up to the start of the tournament.
Traditionally, lists of great soccer goals have come in video form. What inspired you to explore this idea as a podcast?
It’s interesting that you ask that question because I was telling my dental hygienist about this podcast, and he was like, “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard. Nobody wants to listen to you describe the goals with words.” But the more I thought about it, I do think that podcasting is the right form for what I’m doing here, because what I really want to do is explore the joy of the game.
A video series can provide a hit of joy really directly because you get to watch the goal and it’s like, “Oh my God, that’s an amazing goal.” But I wanted space to talk about where those moments came from and what they mean and how they kind of filter into society and culture. And so the podcast form makes more sense because you can have a longer meditation and talk to listeners in a very intimate or informal way.
It’s fascinating that some of the most legendary goals often become more memorable than the matches themselves. Why is it that a single goal has the ability to captivate fans in this way?
There are goals that seem more memorable than the matches and there are goals that overshadow loss. I’m thinking about the goal that Netherlands midfielder Dennis Bergkamp scored against Argentina in ’98. It’s a match that the Netherlands didn’t win, and they fell short at the World Cup as they usually end up doing. But that goal just kind of stands out as such a beautiful thing that it almost seems like the rest of the tournament and the rest of the drama kind of fades around just that one moment.
I think soccer has a couple of things going for it that makes it really well suited to provide these kinds of transcendent, euphoric just out-of-your-head sort of experiences. I think for one thing, it’s really hard to score in soccer. There’s this kind of frustration algorithm at work where you’re building up this anticipation for tens of minutes at a time while teams are trying to score. And then when it finally happens, even a relatively routine goal feels like a huge deal. I think the other thing is that soccer is probably the closest we come to a sport that is universal. So when something big happens in a World Cup, it’s like a breakthrough that you’re sharing with a vast percentage of the world’s population. It’s a recipe for these moments to become meaningful.
As fans sit down and listen to each episode, what can they expect in terms of storytelling?
Each goal is like the climax of a story. And so the episodes are really just about telling those stories and trying to use those stories to talk about things that were going on in the history of soccer, history of the world, around those moments. But mostly it’s just like if you take the goal as the high point of a story, then what is the story that comes before that, and how does it lead to this? We all know the moment is coming. In most of the episodes, I say at the very beginning, “This is the goal.” And you know what the ending is in advance, but it’s just about the journey.
Every goal on this list is obviously well-known to some extent, but are there any with a mythology or backstory that might surprise fans?
I think it’s probably the case that the older the goal is, the less people will know about it. Particularly for fans like me who didn’t grow up with the game and caught the train fairly late. So one goal that I think American listeners are going to really enjoy hearing about is, it was scored by Joe Gaetjens in 1950. He was a Haitian player who played due to some weird loopholes at the time for the U.S. national team. And he scored a goal that allowed the United States to accomplish perhaps the biggest upset in World Cup history. And I just don’t think most people in America know about it. I didn’t even know about it until fairly recently. I feel like people are going to really flip over it because it’s an incredible story.
And then the other episode that comes to mind is about England in 1966 and the goal scored by Geoff Hurst that helped them win the World Cup. But a whole lot of that episode focuses on the history of the theft of the World Cup trophy in London, when it was on display at a stamp exhibition. There was this whole heist and it vanished. And then it was rediscovered in a really fun way. That’s a pretty well-known story for a lot of people, but I think it’s just so kooky and fun that people are going to get into that.
Do you have any predictions for who might score the next iconic goal in Qatar later this year?
Before I answer that question, I should acknowledge that there are literally octopi who have a better record of predicting World Cup outcomes. The future is not my strong suit when it comes to sports. But I feel like I want to say Poland striker Robert Lewandowski. I feel like he can’t stop falling into goals in his club career, and he’s going to do something amazing at a tournament one of these days. I think this is the tournament where that happens.
To make the countdown to Qatar a little more bearable, hit the play button below and start streaming the first episode of 22 Goals.
It’s official: Spotify and FC Barcelona are pleased to announce a long-term partnership, which officially kicks off in July 2022, where Spotify will become the Main Partner of the Club and the Official Audio Streaming Partner. Our brand will appear on the front of both men’s and women’s team shirts and training shirts beginning in the 2022-2023 season. Spotify and FC Barcelona will work together to create opportunities for the iconic shirt to be a space that celebrates artists from across the world.Spotify will also become Title Partner of the Stadium with the historic Camp Nou stadium rebranded Spotify Camp Nou.
Additionally, Spotify will use the partnership to shine a spotlight on artists from all over the world. This will bring the worlds of music and football together, giving a global stage to players and artists at Spotify Camp Nou.
The partnership plans are subject to the ratification of the Barcelona Members Assembly, which will take place in early April.
For the Record spoke with Spotify’s Chief Freemium Business Officer, Alex Norström, to offer more insight into what fans can expect from this unique deal.
Why did Spotify decide to partner with FC Barcelona?
That’s a great question. Why do Spotify and FC Barcelona make sense together? Why do music and football make sense together? There are a lot of answers from different perspectives—the business perspective, the brand perspective, the marketing perspective. All of which are important.
But for Spotify the answer is very simple: It’s about connecting fans with artists of every kind—players and artists, music and sports. Barcelona fans and audio lovers on Spotify will come together to form a massive, globally connected community bridging the worlds of music and football. The vision for the partnership is to create a new platform to help artists interact with Barcelona’s global community of fans.
As we look to grow the Spotify brand worldwide, there are few partners that have this sort of scale and global reach. Being able to connect music and football fans from Barcelona to Mumbai, Jakarta to Rio de Janeiro, is really a unique opportunity.
Can you talk about how the partnership took shape?
Our vision for the partnership is this: Spotify and FC Barcelona want to bring the worlds of music and football together, giving a global stage to players and artists at Spotify Camp Nou and building new opportunities to connect with fans.
Spotify has never undertaken a partnership at this scale before, but we realized that the magic is approaching ambitious projects at this scale. We’ve always used our marketing as a platform for artists, so it’s adding another huge stage, literally a stadium, to help artists interact with fans around the world. Barça’s games attract a huge, global viewership per season and we’re looking forward to working with them to connect artists to this audience.
When visiting the stadium and walking down the hallowed corridors of Camp Nou with its breathtaking scale and unmatched legacy, I felt the power, emotion, and aura of the players, the managers, and the fans who call Camp Nou home. It’s a privilege for Spotify to support and become a part of the FC Barcelona family and history.
We also love that FC Barcelona is committed to equality and supporting and cultivating diverse talent. These are values to which Spotify is equally committed. So the easiest part of assembling this partnership is supporting both the men’s and women’s team. We’re now proud partners of FC Barcelona, the women, the men, the institution.
What’s the vision for how this partnership will come to life? What can music fans and fans of FC Barcelona expect?
We plan to bring this partnership to life in two key ways. First, Camp Nou will become Spotify Camp Nou. Already the home of FC Barcelona fans, Spotify Camp Nou will also put a spotlight on artists and other creators.
Spotify is working with Barça to leverage our access to in-stadium elements to amplify artists and enable discovery. For example, using the dynamic digital displays to showcase and geo-target relevant artists to Barça’s global TV audience. While viewers in Europe may see a message about one artist, TV viewers in India could be served a different and locally relevant message.
Second, as shirt sponsor, Spotify will work to create a new platform to amplify artist voices. We think this can be more than just a Spotify logo on a shirt. The question we’ve asked is: How can Spotify work with FC Barcelona to make the shirt a bigger platform with more opportunities for artists?
If you think about how we’ve used our marketing platforms in the past, which regularly spotlight new and female artists through our EQUAL and RADAR programs, you can get a sense of the approach we’ll be thinking about for the partnership. We are excited to see what we can dream up together.
There are also other exciting pieces to this partnership that we’re considering, and we’ll share more later this year.
Could you share more on the benefits you see for artists and fans?
Spotify has always used its investment in marketing to amplify and champion artists. So we’re taking that same approach and applying it to this partnership.
More fans engaging with our platform means more opportunities for creators to live off of their art, and FC Barcelona’s massive global fan base will help fuel that growth. And for fans—both music and Barça fans—we’ll be creating more interactive and exciting experiences to connect with the artists they love.
FC Barcelona has legions of young fans across the world—in fact, most of Barça’s fans are under the age of 30, which is a hugely important audience for Spotify. Those fans also reside in some of Spotify’s fastest-growing markets, including India, Latin America, and Indonesia.
Against that backdrop, Spotify will be able to amplify the work of artists to new potential fans and supporters.
Celebrate today’s news by following FC Barcelona’s official profile on Spotify. To getfurther details on our partnership check out the release here.
In November 2020, the world lost a football great: Diego Armando Maradona. The iconic Argentinian footballer’s sudden death shook fans of the sport around the world and left many with questions.
Now, Spotify’s all-new original podcast series The Last Days of Maradona serves as an investigation into what happened during the last days of Maradona’s life. The six-episode series, debuting today, is a deep and honest look into how Maradona died, with never-before-heard interviews with those who were closest to him in the days leading to his death.
What’s more, the series has been turned into six simultaneous adaptations for fans around the world—the first time Spotify has set out to produce such a number. Each version has its own host who takes a deep dive into the investigation led by Adonde Media, accompanied by Spotify Studios, to tell the story of Diego Maradona in their own words. Argentinian journalist MatíasMartín hosts the show for listeners in Maradona’s home country; former Argentina football player JorgeValdano spins a tale for those in Spain and Latin America; Brazilian journalist JucaKfuori gives a Portuguese spin; actor SalvatoreEsposito joins the ranks to speak to fans in Italy; and finally, French professional football coach and former player ThierryHenry takes on French and English versions for France and the U.K.
For the Record had the opportunity to speak to Thierry Henry about Maradona, who held a special role as Thierry’s personal hero.
“I grew up watching him play,” Thierry shared. “He’s Argentinian and I’m French, but everyone had only respect for him on the field. The first World Cup that I really, really, really watched was ’86 in Mexico. In that one, he was just unbelievable. You can’t beat what someone gives you at a young age. For me, he was the greatest.”
Read on for our interview with Thierry about hosting the podcast and the late Maradona.
The Last Days of Maradona is an investigation into the death of the Argentine football star. Do you remember where you were, about a year ago, when you heard the news?
I was in Montreal when it happened. I remember, I started to get some texts. Although you knew that sometimes things were happening to Maradona, the first time I heard it, I was like “Nah. Maybe he went to the hospital. But it’s happened before. But it’s not true . . . he’s not dead.”
And then obviously you receive two messages, you receive four or five, and then you see it on BBC News. And then you see, then you realize, that obviously it’s real this time; he’s not coming back. And he’s gone.
What was your reaction when you were invited to host this podcast investigation?
To be associated with him—wow. And it’s a great opportunity for me, first and foremost, to do something new. And when I found out it was an investigation, that gave me even more desire to want to do it. I’m the narrator, but I never listened to what was coming after. I haven’t even listened to it yet. I wanted to live it, like everyone else. I wanted to discover it fully for the first time.
This is the first Spotify Original podcast to be adapted into six simultaneous shows, most of which are with a different host, all of which are in a different language, produced for fans in markets around the world. How does this speak to the legacy of Maradona?
That’s Maradona. That’s it right there. You know, people want to know about him, even after his death and what happened, and it will be like that forever. We won’t be here and people will still talk about Maradona. It’s just the way it is. It’s not so much about, you know, how great he was on the field. It’s about that people could relate to him. And I think that’s one of the most important things. And this is why people want to know what happened. Some will tell you that he was close to God. Some people would tell you that he was God, you know? That’s wow. For some people, it is real. The emotion that he gave me, like I said, I wasn’t a fan of Argentina. But you have to be a fan of Maradona if you love football.
For those who are new to football, or to Maradona, what is one thing you’d want fans to know about the late star?
Obviously, it’s about the last days of Maradona, so people will think, straight away, “oh, wow, what a life” type of thing, because he had issues, as we all know. But who doesn’t have issues? Obviously with him, it was maximized and in papers for everyone to see. But the relationship that he had with the fans is second to none. A lot of people are remembered because they want stuff, because they were animals, because they were, you know, “I’m never scared” type of guys. But the most important thing for me is that people can relate to him. Whether you have money or you didn’t have money, you could relate to Maradona.
There’s a story about a homeless man who went to his funeral. And someone asked, “Why are you here?” And he said, “Maradona was the only thing I had.” I can’t say more than that.
What are you most excited for fans to get out of this podcast?
The truth. And for people who were not at peace with what happened, they can at least get an idea of what happened or what’s happening. You have the real dates, the real text messages. You can have closure if you want. And it’s not only sad things and sad moments. You know, you have a moment also where you’re reconnected with his family.
People sometimes see athletes as guys that are untouchable, or that do not not have problems, that do not have feelings. I just want to remind everyone that everyone is human. So I like to say that because sometimes people take it for granted. They see a guy performing and they’re like, “Oh my, oh my God, what a rock. That guy’s never scared.” Yes, he is. But when he has to perform like everybody else, he plays. What you see is a guy that has to come and perform and compete, but don’t ever forget that the guy’s a human being, like anyone else.
Get to know the late football star. Listen to The Last Days of Maradona starting today, only on Spotify.
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