Half a Premier League schedule but a bumper Totally Football Show, brought to you by Jimbo, Jack Lang, Duncan Alexander and Carl Anka. It’s advantage Liverpool and Middlesbrough after the League Cup semi-final first legs with Chelsea particularly embarrassed by their defeat to Championship Boro. Why are we still not seeing any cohesion from Pochettino’s Blues? Only 5 Premier League fixtures this weekend but some headline games, including Newcastle v Man City and Man United v Spurs. We discuss the work that INEOS have to do at Old Trafford and get excited about seeing Timo Werner in a Spurs shirt. AFCON kicks off this weekend and our old friend Maher Mezahi joins us to preview the tournament. Expect Egypt to be more entertaining and Kudus to be Superman for Ghana. Plus Jack tells us all about Brazil’s new manager and the embarrassing turn of events that led to this appointment. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1a: Burnley v Luton kicks off the weekend (02.00) • PART 1b: League Cup semi-final chat (08.00) • PART 2a: Newcastle v Man City preview (17.00) • PART 2b: Man United v Tottenham preview (21.00) • PART 3a: Brazil’s new manager (35.00) • PART 3b: AFCON preview with Maher Mezahi (42.00) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC TODAY FOR £2 A MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS • theathletic.com/totally Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ballond'Or is the most reputable individual gem in football. Lionel Messi harvested up a history- extending eighth Ballond'Or before this year thanks to his unbelievable performance at both international and domestic games in the 2022- 23 season. The competition for the 2024 edition of football's most coveted respective honour began at the launch of the 2023- 24 season. With Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the most dominant footballers in the history of the football award, now in their late 30s, there is every luck that we could find a new Ballon d'Or winner this time. Without additional ado, let's take a look at the top five favourites to win the 2024 Ballond'Or( January 2024). 5 Cristiano Ronaldo( Portugal/ Al- Nassr) Despite having moved to Saudi Arabian club Al- Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo's stunts have made it nearly unrealizable to look past him in the environment of the Ballond'Or. Ronaldo has been in unbelievable form for both club and national team of late. He has scored 24 - and supplied 11 assists in 25 games across all tournaments for Al- Nassr so far this season. Ronaldo has been edgy in front of goal and has also impressed with his capability to produce goalscoring openings for his teammates. The 38- year-old has served a great job for Portugal as well. They're one of the early favourites to win the 2024 Euros and if that happens, Ronaldo could really well have a fitted ending chapter to his fantastic career. 4 Kylian Mbappe( France Paris Saint- Germain) Kylian Mbappe is completely angled to win numerous Ballonsd'Or in the future. He clearly has what it takes and has formerly come enough near on a couple of times. Could 2024 be his time? So far, Mbappe has put his sporty foot ahead but there is a passion that Paris Saint- Germain are clutching him back as he seems to be packing them once more. The Frenchman has scored 22 goals and delivered two assists in 23 games across all tournaments for PSG so far this season. Mbappe's possibility of winning the Ballond'Or will also depend on how far France progress at the Euros. 3 Mohamed Salah( Egypt/ Liverpool) Mohamed Salah ever played to finalize just outside the Ballond'Or top 10 in 2023 despite Liverpool having a delicate movement. The' Egyptian King' has only gotten more this season and has been ripping it up for the English giant. While a lack of Champions League football will affect his circumstances, the transparent calculation that Salah is setting up make him a good seeker in the race for the 2024 Ballond'Or. In 27 games across all tournaments so far this season for Jurgen Klopp's side, the 31- year-aged has delivered 18 goals and completed nine assists. 2 Jude Bellingham( England/ Real Madrid) Having landed to life at Real Madrid like a fish to water, Jude Bellingham has left the world in admiration of his fantastic capability at the tender age of 20. addicts across the world have seen him raise over the former several years but it's accomplished that the rankings he has unveiled since the launch of the 2023- 24 season are moderately exceptional. Bellingham has existed Real Madrid's main key player so far this tour. In his early days at the squad, he has formed an impact related to the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo. The Englishman can hopefully nourish this performance for the expanse of the campaign. He'll also play a vital part for England at the 2024 Euros. Bellingham has packed 17 goals and formed five assists in 22 apps across all tournaments for Real Madrid so far this season. 1 Harry Kane( England/ Bayern Munich) Having broken up free of the impediment that clutched him back at Tottenham Hotspur, Harry Kane seems to retain uncorked a new gear at his new team Bayern Munich. The signals were always there and a 30- goal reply in his closing Premier League season told volumes of his world- class capability. In the first half of the 2023- 24 season, the Englishman has displayed just how fast he can be when circled by players of a alike class. Kane has been performed further than a goal per match for the Bavarians so far this tour. He has 25 goals and eight assists to his profile in 22 games across all tournaments for Bayern Munich in the 2023- 24season.However, he might just form it to the pledged land, If Kane can guide England to honor at Euro 2024.

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The final episode of our eight-part series with USMNT captain Tyler Adams as Tyler joins Rog to break down all the World Cup action, that now famous press conference before the Iran game, and getting back into the Premier League swing of things with Leeds. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

And not in a good way. 3:00am: Awakened “Ridiculous! Disgraceful!” A heavily accented voice shouts into his phone. “I’ve never felt so cheated in my life. I’ve already emailed FIFA. I’ve told them. I’ve let them know this is unacceptable. I want a full refund! $200 a night…for this?” Welcome to FIFA’s Quetaifan Island Fan Village. The voice…

USMNT loss to Netherlands in round of 16. The 3-1 result was not bad, but our defense was shambolic at a few moments that cost us big. Our draw against England and win against Iran were proud moments. We talk about it all. Join the fire!

A bonus installment of our series that explores the complexities and moral conundrums brought on by a World Cup hosted in Qatar. A collaboration between Men in Blazers and Crooked Media. In this episode, Rog and "Pod Save the World's" Tommy Vietor examine a tournament in which politics, sport and humanity have all been laid bare; USMNT captain Tyler Adams' leadership and poise when answering questions from Iran's state-run media; and what political and social scrutiny the United States could face as co-host for the 2026 World Cup. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rog sits down with Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch to preview the USMNT's Round of 16 tie with the Netherlands and dissect their 1- 0 victory over Iran. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.