Show Notes
Defensive midfielder N’Golo Kanté has left a huge legacy on football, yet hardly anything is known about him. How did this humble, fame-shy footballer become so beloved by barely saying a single world? In this episode, Simon and Mehreen cover the reclusive Kanté, from poor beginnings in the Paris banlieues to bringing underdog Leicester to shock victory in 2016. They cover his rise to worldwide recognition and uncomfortable relationship with fame as he sees further success at Chelsea and for the French national team. Together, they piece together an intricate picture of the human behind the hero of football. They cover stories of the well-meaning Kanté, who had never been to a birthday party until his 20s, drives a Mini Cooper, doesn’t want to be paid via offshore tax havens, and struggles with the concept of hiring a cleaner. But of course, there’s a more unfortunate side to being the most genuine person in league football – a side that leads to Kanté being held at gunpoint thanks to advantageous agents, and business decisions that seem slightly out of character. This is the story of how the zippy ‘vacuum cleaner’ who hoovers up the midfield became one of the universally-liked men in football.
Time stamps: 00:40: Introduction to N’Golo Kanté (NG) 03:59: Growing up in Paris 07:20: Beginnings in third division French football 10:01: Maturing on and off the pitch at Caen 15:00: Arrival and success at Leicester 20:35: Move to Chelsea and the big leagues 29:00: France win the World Cup 34:35: A ‘vacuum cleaner’ on the pitch and discomfort at recognition 40:13: Surprise comeback at Al-Ittihad 45:15: What if Kanté hadn’t been a footballer?
For the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League, why don't you join my mini-league "Heroes & Humans Of Football"? Joining the league couldn't be easier. Simply use the link below and you'll be added automatically after you've entered the game. https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/l7y2et League Code: l7y2et Looking forward to playing against you this season!
Follow @heroesandhumans everywhere.
TikTok
X
Visit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Heroes & Humans of Football
What happens when your greatest moment becomes both a blessing and a burden? This is not just the story of Geoff Hurst's World Cup hat-trick but a deeper exploration of a vanishing era of English football and the often-challenging lives of the heroes of '66 after their moment of glory.
How did a pizza waiter from Haarlem become one of football's most influential figures? This is the story of Mino Raiola, the super-agent who transformed the football transfer market, and his successor, Rafaela Pimenta. In this episode, Simon and Mehreen explore the extraordinary career of Mino Raiola and his business partner, Rafaela Pimenta. From his early days working in his family's pizzeria to becoming the agent for stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, and Erling Haaland, this is the tale of how an outsider revolutionised football's transfer market through wit, work ethic, and an uncanny ability to see where the game was heading. This episode reveals how Raiola's pizzeria mentality of personal service shaped his approach to representing players, his complex relationship with football's establishment, and how he built the most powerful agency in modern football.
In 1914, 110 years ago exactly, British and German troops came up from the trenches to meet in no man’s land and play football. This remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce, is the subject of today’s special episode. Instead of focusing on one hero, human, or villain, this Christmas episode examines the humanity behind war, discussing how football has united people across languages, cultures, and history. Simon and Mehreen delve deep into the story of World War I and beyond. They track the history of this poignant event, discussing its impact on Adolf Hitler (spoiler: he didn’t want to talk about it), the rise and suppression of women’s football, and discussing the event against wars and conflicts of today. This poignant, moving episode is ideal listening for football and history lovers alike and signals the start of Heroes & Humans’ Christmas break. Thank you for listening to our episodes in 2024. It's been a true pleasure to see how football has united so many listeners across the globe.
12 July 1998, Paris. It’s the FIFA World Cup – France vs. Brazil. Brazil has the unstoppable Ronaldo (O Fenômeno – the Phenomenon) on their side, and crowds are expecting a Brazilian win. Suddenly before the match, it’s announced Ronaldo isn’t going to play. Then, suddenly, he is. Nations watch, confused, as Brazil’s best player wanders the pitch like a sleepwalker with glazed eyes, and witness Brazil’s defeat of 3-0. So what actually happened? In this podcast episode, Mehreen and Simon tackle the conspiracy theories, mysteries, and intrigue leading up to the memorable FIFA World Cup of 1998. They track Ronaldo’s early life in Brazil, his time at PSV Eindhoven, and the footballer’s incredible rise to dominance, with stats aged 20 better than Pelé. Ronaldo R9, a cult icon, captured the world’s attention in the 1990s by aggressively dominating the pitch. Did he have a panic attack or fit before the game? Was he drugged to ensure a French win? Was he a pawn of Nike, who had an unusual amount of control over the Brazilian team? This is an episode for mystery lovers, true crime lovers, and football fans alike.
Our first-ever live show, recorded at the Kilkenomics Economics & Comedy Festival in Kilkenny, Ireland. The sold-out event saw Simon and Mehreen take to the stage, discussing all things football with the prize-winning author Roddy Doyle. Die-hard Chelsea fan Doyle spoke with H&H for over an hour, where they discussed topics such as: