El Partido

It was bound to be a night not to forget in Vallecas, with Rayo Vallecano competing in a European semi-final first leg! Such was the excitement, some huge football accounts in the world of social media needed to remind us that not only are the Madrid ran unconventionally, with a dilapidated stadium and a place where you still have to queue for a ticket, butit was Rayo's debut season in a European competition... apparently. In this episode, Nick and Paul take the fight to the click bait generation to remind them that this is NOT Rayo's first foray into European football as we look back over the incredible 2001 UEFA Cup that saw Spain's UEFA Fair Play ambassadors reach the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup in emphatic fashion. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Real Madrid are argubaly the most celebrated and supported club in the world. A global footballing superpower with a history to rival any other club but what do we really know about that history? This week, Nick and Paul are once again joined by the brilliant Miguel Pereira to talk about his new book 'The Greatest - Real Madrid's Never Ending Story'. In this, we explore the myths and misconceptions many people have about Los Blancos, from their humble beginnings to global stardom and the often claimed stance that they were "Franco's Club". Miguel's book challenges the interpreted narrative of a club whose history is sometimes fact and is sometimes fable, which is what makes Real Madrid such a fascinating story. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've had a few days to take in the massive success that we saw at the weekend and that's not just Vedat Muriqi becoming Mallorca's all-time La Liga top goalscorer! The celebration of retro we saw this weekend was incredible and undoubtedly a huge success. Join Paul as he shares his thoughts on the La Liga Retro Weekend, why it needs to happen again and why we love nostalgia - especially the kits! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Rafa Benitez left Valencia to join Liverpool, he became the first Spanish manager to move to UK shores. This was a journey not many Spanish players had made either but the appointment of Rafa at one of Europe's most famous clubs set the trend that has seen almost every Premier League team look towards Spain for their player and manager needs. In this episode, Nick is joined by Sergio Andres Media, author of Spanish Liverpool, to talk all about Rafa Benitez, the Spanish revolution he undertook at the club and the lasting legacy he will have on the Premier League as an innovator in the modern game. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've just had the Easter Weekend (or Semana Santa if you're from or heading to Spain) and it got us thinking - is La Liga the greatest league for career ressurections? This week, join Nick & Paul as they look through their Top 5 La Liga Ressurections. From career ending injuries to being back from the brink of irrelevancy to winning European finals! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the news that Antoine Griezmann is to end his almost 20 year tenure in La Liga, we look back at his time in Spain as the final bastion of the 'nostalgia era'. Join Nick & Paul as we discuss Griezmann's career, why Simeone trusted him so much, the troubles in Barca and of course, whether or not he signed Mbappe for his Newcastle Champ Manager side. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's early and ad-free episode, we are taking our love of Spanish football nostaliga international by heading to Argentina. Nick is joined by Will Dalton, author of the brilliant Oh San Lorenzo, as we explore what makes Argentine football a hotbed where football meets religion, we discuss his beloved San Lorenzo along with their history, Pope Francis and of course, the crossovers with Spanish football including the legendary Iker Muniain. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You would think that a capital city based club playing European football would be a powerhouse? Not always. Rayo Vallecano are one of the most interesting stories you will find in Spanish football. Whether it's the confusing decisions to relay their pitch in winter, failing to invest in the stadium or even having to queue for 2 hours to buy a ticket in 2026 - Rayo just don't things in a normal way. A lot of that is down to their president, who seems to thrive in noteriety. Presa continously goads fans, restricts the clubs ambitions and undervalues Rayo as a club - but the faithful fans still continue to push the club forward in spite of their owner, proving that football can still belong to the people. In this episode Nick is joined by Spanish football journalist and Rayo fan, Paul Reidy, as they look at the story behind this fascinating club and how the club manages to succeed beyond expectation despite issues off the pitch. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With confirmation of a 'La Liga - Retro Weekend', we've been abuzz with how the weekend will look, as our passion for Spanish football nostalgia reached peak levels. It has been confirmed that all 42 clubs in Primera and Segunda will spend one weekend playing in retro kits from the 90s along with stadium branding, 80s style balls, old school nets, proper scoreboards and so much more. Join Nick and Paul as they truly reminisce and talk about which kits they'd like to see but also, why does nostaliga sell?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spanish football is known for its football rivalries - so based on competition, some regional rivalries and some are rivals who are bound by a joint cause. But even the most ardent fans of El Clásico will admit, there is one derby game in Spain that is unmatched for the heat of its rivalry - El Gran Derbí! The games between Sevilla and Real Betis are some of the most hotly contested matches on the Iberian Peninsula and they are born out of so much more than just football. The city divides along the fault lines of class and politics of course but nothing matches the football rivalry. Join Nick and Paul as they explore El Gran Derbí and how it is the most anticipated game in any Sevilliano or Betico diary. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not too many people would have heard of the town of Cambados. A quaint fishing town nestled into the jagged coastline of Galicia, just west of Pontevedra. But for a brief period, the nation began to hear more about this unassuming corner of Spain due to meteoric rise of it's football club - Xuventude de Cambados. They were taking the leagues by storm, rising to the third tier and signing players of high quality and experience. How could a club in a town of just 10,000 people be doing this? Like many whirldwind clubs, it all stems from a wealthy backer - in this case a man called Sito Miñanco. Whilst popular in the town, as a local lad done good in the eyes of some, to others he was a centre figure to the trafficking operations of South American cartels as Galicia, with it's jagged coastline of estuaries and caverns, became a gateway to Europe during the cocaine explosion of the 80's. In this El Partido story, we look at how one club suddenly found itself at the crossroads of football glory and the international drug trade and how Xuventude de Cambados fell just as fast as they rose upon the arrest of their criminal President. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We all know Xabi Alonso - Champions League talisman, Galactico and more recently elite football manager. Alonso played at the very pinnacle at football, not redefining the role but becoming the undisputed master of deep-lying playmaker. In this episode, Nick and Paul look over how a small stint in the Basque town of Eibar instilled a belief into Xabi and matured a teenage prospect into an elite world footballer that would go onto win every trophy available to him. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a season where Diego Simeone is finding himself questioned in his hunt for silverware, we take you back to the season where it all started for El Cholo and his Atleti side that would break the two-team dominance of Spanish football. Join Nick and Paul as we look back over the 2013 Copa del Rey winning side that thrived with El Cholismo at it's heart and how that cup winning game at the Santiago Bernabeu, breaking a 14 year hoodoo over their city rivals, was the catalyst for Atleti and Simeone to establish Los Colchoneros as the third dominating force in Spanish football. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Classic Shirt boom in the UK and Ireland began around 10 years ago and shows no signs of slowing down, as the demand for the most stunning and often nichest shirts gets larger year on year. That same boom is now happening in Spain and we were delighted to be joined by Luke, owner and founder of Kit Launch - a brilliant football shirt store in Barcelona. Hailing originally from Cork, Luke joins Nick and Paul to tell us about his story and why he decided to open up a classic shirts store in Spain, that is now becoming a corner stone of an evergrowing community and culture in Barcelona. We also talk about Raul, Guinness Sponsors, Spanish Non-League and everything else in between - this isn't one to miss! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

During the lates 90s, David Beckham was becoming a star - a Premier League and Champions League winner, an Adidas athlete and even married to a Spice Girl. Everything he touched, turned to gold - hence the nickname. Then, in 2003, the unthinkable - Manchester United transfer list David Beckham... There was only one place for Beckham and that was heading to join the Galacticos of Real Madrid! In this episode, Nick is joined by Luke Chambers to look back over Beckham's move to Real Madrid and how his stint in the Spanish capital propelled him to a global stardom not even he could imagine, whilst still being a player who truly had to earn his Galactico status! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final of the African Cup of Nations was this weekend and it did not fail to live up to the drama and chaos we expect from one of the most underrated footballing competitions on the planet! With Paul back from El Partido Paternity, we thought we'd celebrate our rekindled love of African football by celebrating the stars of the continent who played in La Liga - with our Favourite African XI! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For Part Two of this epic Futbol Weekender in Barcelona, Tom takes us to two brilliant games in the Spanish lower leagues. Starting with a pilgramage we should all make at least one in our lifetime, a trip to the Campo Municipal Narcis Sala to watch the ever popular UE Sant Andreu before then heading slightly out of the city to watch surprise Primera RFEF league leaders Sabadell destroy an ailing Marbella side to remain out in front for promotion! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Football in Barcelona is world famous and not just for the Blaugrana. Below the headlines of La Liga, the non-league scene in Catalan capital is one of the fastest growing and best support in Spain and probably in Europe. Friend of the podcast spent the weekend in the city and took in 3 games which we are delighted to bring you on EP en Directo. First up, La Liga founders CE Europa had to say goodbye to Nou Sardenya at the weekend as league rules have forced them to find a temporary home with a grass pitch. They welcomed Alcorcon as Europa looked to leave Grazia on a high. Join Tom to find out more! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Paul on El Partido Paternity Leave, Nick brings you a solo-cast and another installment of El Partido Stories. This week, we take a look at Fernando Morientes, the Forgotten #9. As Real Madrid started their first galacticos era, traditional strikers like Morientes soon found themselves replaced by the idea of striker who brings as much off the pitch than on it - that wasn't how Morientes was built. In this episode, we explore what made Morientes the perfect centre forward and how the role of a striker has evolved so far away from what made #9's the focal point of every team. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asturias is a hotbed of football with some of the most loyal fanbases in Spain - none more so than the fans of Real Sporting de Gijón. As one of the oldest clubs in Spain, you will struggle to find a club with a richer history and more passionate fanbase than the Asturian club on the coast. From the magic of El Molinón to the legends that have passed through their famed academy, Nick is just by Matt Harrison to talk about this 'Sleeping Giant' in the North of Spain! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's 2026 and we are back with another installment of En Directo with Matt Harrison - this time from the stunning city of Gijon! Malaga have transformed from potential relegation candiates to play off dark horses under Juan Funes, so obviously Matt had to travel across Spain to the colder climes of Asturias to witness them in one of his favourite Estadios! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We welcome back Matt Harrison to the podcast as we look to assemble our next 'Favourite XI' and this time, we've flipped it on its head - we're doing our favourite Spanish players who've played in the Premier League! So join Nick, Paul and Matt as we talk about some the greatest but most importantly, our favourite Spaniards to appear in the English top flight! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Matt Harrison as he vacates the warmer climes of the Costa del Sol and braves the elements in the northern Spanish city of Vallodolid. Malaga were looking for a second win in a row under Funes but the former La Liga side have made the Jose Zorilla a difficult place to visit. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are delighted to share this week, our first El Partido en Directo from a Copa del Rey game! Torrent CF of the Segunda Federacion had drawn a plum tie against Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis and for the occasion, got the opportunity to play at the impressive Ciuadad Valencia. Russ Pearce (Seagulls Over Spain) was lucky enough to be there and sent us his report straight from Valencia! If you want to be featured on El Partido en Directo, then don't hesitate getting in touch and sending us your recordings from whatever game of Spanish football you might be at this weekend! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 years ago this week, Peter Lim shocked the footballing world by announcing a former Manchester United right back as manager of Valencia - that man was Gary Neville! As he took his first steps into management, Neville found out that charm and charisma isn't enough when your aim is to impress the crowds at Mestalla. Join Nick & Paul as they recollect the 118 days of his tenure in Valencia and look at the aftermath in Valencia of the Lim custodianship. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has always been fierce. Whether the undercurrents of political viewpoints, nationalism or class, El Clásico had it's intensity unrivalled elswhere in the world. However, at the turn of the Millenium, that rivalry reached new heights of hostility - when Luis Figo, darling and star of Barcelona, crossed the divide by signing directly for Real Madrid... It would be a transfer that would take El Clásico to new levels of rivalry that completely changed the face of Spanish football and is defined by the scenes we saw in the Nou Camp when emotions reached boiling point and even a pigs head was thrown onto the pitch. This week, Nick & Paul explore the motives of the move, how the dynamics of El Clásico shifted and the aftermath of one of the most controversial transfers in football history. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 'Journeyman' in the UK is a mythical beast. You see him rock up at a league rival, knowing that he could potentially pulling on your colours the following season, adding you to the list of badges he's represented. That sentiment isn't as common in Spain - some may even say it's normal for a player to have several clubs across his career in Spanish football due the nature of short term contracts and other varying factors - but we say this stops now! We need Spain to embrace the Journeyman (or Viajero Futbolero) so this week, Nick and Paul have picked out their favourite 5 players from Spanish football who you could label the Spanish Football Journeyman! Available now wherever you get your podcast, over on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 2004, a man with the nickname “El Ingeniero” would accept a job in the small town of Villarreal. An ambitious move to appoint the Chilean would be the foundation of Villarreal establishing themselves as a domestic and European force but also sent La Liga on a long term love affair with this man. That man is one Manuel Pellegrini! In this episode, Nick & Paul are joined by Rahul (@laligalondon) to talk about Pellegrini across his 4 stints as a manager in Spain and what the impact and lasting legacy of one of the most interesting, respected and successful managers in La Liga history will be. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon page on on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some things just go together. Salt and Pepper, Roasts and Gravy and of course, Liam and Yeclano Deportivo. We are delighted for this week's El Partido en Directo that Liam once again heads to the Murcia region as Yeclano Deportivo host the Abuelo, Recreativo de Huelva in a top end of the table Segunda Federacion clash - with both sides having aspirations of an immediate return to the Primera RFEF! Liam also takes us on a Tecera Federacion side quest of a visit to El Palmar as well as brings us some chats with our friends in Yecla. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back in 2007, Real Racing Club were a solid side treading water in La Liga - Enter Marcelino! The former Recre de Huelva manager came to Cantabria and ripped up the rulebook, turning Racing Santander into a challenger at the top of the La Liga table and would eventually bring European football to El Sardinero for the first time in the clubs history. Nick and Paul dig deep into how he managed to transform this side and the players that would go onto to become legends in Santander! Available wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our first Halloween special, we bring you a collection of spooky Spanish football stories including haunting howlers, terrifying shockers and scary screamers! We also look at the 'Haunting of Getafe' where a routine Barcelona win in Getafe on Halloween turned into a nightmare that would question the integrity and image of the club in the Spanish media! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was once a player from El Salvador that Diego Maradona once described as 'a better player than Maradona and Pele'. The man he was referring to never went on to reach the accolades of those two players but his skills and love of the game would make an entire city in Spain fall in love with him. Of course, we are talking about Mágico González and Cadiz Club de Futbol! We are joined by Mark from the Living Lacita Loca podcast to talk all about their love for Mágico González and subsequently, his love for Cadiz. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a football weekend in Madrid for Matt and friends with Malaga heading to Butarque to take on Leganés. Matt is joined by the lads from the Spanish Segunda show as Malaga look to build on their emphatic defeat of Depor last weekend, whilst the home side need to start picking up results if they have any aspirations of returning to La Liga at the first time of asking. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diego Simeone has always been a serial winner but his exploits with Atletico Madrid have not just earned him the respect of his peers - but he has broken the duopoly in Spanish football and introduced a third horse into the race. He often gets brushed playing with a 'certain brand' of football - which is so far from the truth. His longevity is based on his team building and the culture of 'Cholismo' that he introduced. This week, Nick & Paul are joined by Emmanuek Lagovez of the Partido a Partido podcast, to celebrate all things Diego Simeone! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another week, another special edition of En Directo - this time from the incredible Unio Esportiva Sant Andreu. A staple of the ever-growing popularity of non-league football in the city of Barcelona, Sant Andreu are an incredible club that are the face of this movement, as well as Catalan traditions. Join Liam Bambridge as he brings us his report of Sant Andreu v Valencia Mestalla in the Segunda Federacion! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's not often you get to meet one of the inspirations for your entire podcast but we had that joy this week as we were joined by the one and only Guillem Balagué! We go back to where it all started with a Revista de La Liga love-in, talk about the Maradona Nostalgia and all about his brand new book, Rise of the Villains - the Unai Emery Aston Villa Revolution! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have another brilliant episode of El Partido en Directo to bring, once again for our man in Spain - Mr Matt Harrison. This week, he is making the trip back to where it all began in Espana to the Abuelo of Spanish football - Huelva. Listen as he takes us back to the historic city on the Atlantic Coast and takes us to the Nuevo Colombino to watch Recreativo de Huelva take on Lorca Deportiva in the Segunda Federacion! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Sunshine Coast is a hotbed of football, with clubs big and small dotted along this picturesque part of Spain. It's also the home to many fantastic footballers past and present so we wanted to take the opportunity to talk all about them with the man behind the Costa del Fútbol - Luke Chambers! We get to talk about some of those unique clubs along the Costa but also look at some of the great players from the area. Now available wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, we finally get to talk about about one of the most fascinating clubs in Spanish football, or world football for that matter - Athletic Club Bilbao! We are delighted to be joined by the brilliant Christopher Evans, author of Los Leones, as we discuss everything from Bielsa to Basque culture and most importantly, what makes Atheltic Club unique in the world! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon page and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have received another brilliant installment for El Partido en Directo and this week, we get to join Alex O'Brien (@AlcorconIrlanda) in the beautiful town of Antequera as his follows his beloved Alcorcon to the Malaga region in the hope of securing a win that would possibly take them top of the league! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and through our Patreon. If you are heading to get a game of Spanish football this weekend, why not send us a report yourself - get in touch with us through social media to find out more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, Nick is delighted to be joined by the man behind the brilliant Estadios de España blog, Chris Clements. As always, they will take a nostalgic view on stadiums of the past and the memories that go with them whilst also asking the questions, do their replacements capture the essence that made them so special and why are the Spanish so good at upgrading estadios?! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, over on our Patreon and on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

France is known for many a great thing - baguettes, the Citreon Berlingo and of course, footballers! We're back again with another installment of 'Our Favourite XIs' and Nick is once again joined by our resident team selector, Matt Harrison as we discuss our all time favourite French footballers to have graced La Liga! Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spain was one of later countries to embrace professional football during the late 1920's and just as it started to gather momentum, it was abruptly interupted with outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. We are delighted to be joined by Chris Lee, author of 'Origin Stories', 'Shades of Green' and the spectacular 'The Defiant - A History of Football against Fascism' as we discuss how football in Spain was affected by the Civil War and how football became a tool during the Franco Era but how it also contributed to the rebirth of Spain as a democracy. Available now wherever you get your podcasts, on Patreon and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are back for our first episode of Season 2 of El Partido and we have a brilliant guest to start with! We are delighted to welcome Brendan Madden (Futbol es La Leche) to talk about his brilliant new book 'Once Upon a Time in La Liga'. By delving into the archives and secret files, Brendan has compiled the most incredible stories that you may or may have heard of from Spanish football. In this episode, we'll talk to Brendan about his story with football in Spain, the 'Black Armbands' and how carnival in Cadiz created one of the most popular himnos! Available now in your usual podcast places, YouTube and now on Patreon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He's back to make it a trilogy to rival all trilogies. Matt Harrison follows up on the breakout hit of Granada CF v Al Ain with two fantastic games from the wonderful city. During this week, he's been to two games between sides based in 4th and 5th tiers of Spanish football and visited some brilliant barrios estadios to tick off the list! Available now wherever you get your podcasts. If you'd like to feature on El Partido en Directo, then drop us a message on socials to let us know where you'll be watching this weekend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are being well and truly spoilt this weekend with not one, but two EP en Directo entries and this one is our FIRST ever top table La Liga report direct from the Estadio. Thank you to Russ Pearce (Seagulls over Spain) for sending us his report from the Estadio Martinez Valero where La Liga newcomers Elche take on Europa Conference League Finalists, Real Betis in their opening game of the 2025/26 season! Available now wherever you get your podcasts. If you're heading to a game in Spain this weekend, why not send us your report? Drop us a message on socials for more information! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOOTBALL IS BACK as the top two tiers of Spanish football resume for the 2025/2026 season. We're delighted that the man behind the newly established Costa del Futbol page, Luke Chambers, is taking us on a trip to the costa as he heads off to watch his beloved Malaga at La Rosaleda in this seasons opener to the Spanish Segunda! Available now wherever you get your podcasts. If you're at a game in Spain this weekend, why not send us your own El Partido en Directo? Drop us a message on socials to find out more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are less than one week away from the return of the football season in Spain but teams are still playing their last pre-season fixtures in an effort to get minutes in before the long campaign ahead. Friend of the podcast, Matt Harrison is spending the Summer in Granada and has kindly sent us in his report from the Estadio Los Carmenes, where the home side welcomed Abu Dhabi based Al Ain for their final friendly of the summer. As always, if you would like to feature on El Partido en Directo then send us your reports from whatever level of Spanish football you're watching this weekend! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's not every day you can hop in the car and watch a team from the Costa del Sol play in the UK's premier university city but this is what was on offer this weekend as Malaga played Oxford United in a pre-season friendly. It was a weekend full of fixtures with 7 Spanish sides on UK shores for friendlies but none of them were as well attended as the Guiri Army descended on the Kassam stadium. Join Nick as he and daughter Ruby bring us everything from the game and all the pre-game actvities in a local Wetherspoons! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and if you're ever at a game of Spanish football fancying to do your own report, then send us a message on our socials! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The World Cup in 2010 was a tournament of firsts. First one to held in Africa, first to have a scientifically enhanced ball. Not the first appearance for North Korea weirdly... But it was a first for Spain and a first that they had been waiting to achieve for decades. 15 years ago today, Vicente Del Bosque led his side into the cauldron of 'Soccer City' with a chance to become Kings of the World and subsequently, history was made. Join Nick and Paul for the last episode of this season as they bring back fond memories of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and relive Spain's incredible success in winning the World Cup! Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. For more nostalgia based football content, go give us a follow over @El_Partido.es! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices