Days of Hope: Football in 2025

In this episode of Pro Revolution Soccer, writer and Stadio co-host Musa Okwonga returns to talk about what’s been happening in English and international football over the summer. None of us cared about the FIFA Club World Cup, but we talked about the Lionesses’ surprise win at Euro 2025, the meaning of Michelle Agyemang being the Young Player of the Tournament, and the racist abuse aimed at defender Jess Carter. We also discussed the death of Suleiman al-Obeid, ‘the Palestinian Pelé’, in an aid queue in Gaza, and Mohamed Salah’s response to UEFA’s non-descript tweet about his murder. We also looked at Villarreal’s weasel-worded statement about their condemnation of gender-based violence after signing Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, days after he was charged with sexual assault, and at the FA’s decision to end the Rainbow Laces campaign and what might replace it. In Our Football Summers, Musa talked about the simple pleasure of returning to 7-a-side, Juliet spoke about Tamil Eelam’s triumph in the CONIFA Asia Cup in Surrey in July and football’s ability to keep communities together, and looking ahead to the new season, Tom talked of the new to avoid fatalism and remain hopeful in the face of bleak circumstances, be it for your own club, or football as a whole. If you've enjoyed this free episode, why not sign up to our Patreon? For just £4.50 a month you'll get an extra episode, and other bonus material - join us at https://www.patreon.com/c/ProRevolutionSoccer/home.