The Human Side of Football

Welcome to Heroes & Humans, a football podcast hosted by Simon Kuper and Mehreen Khan. This podcast moves beyond the traditional boundaries of sports commentary to explore the lives of football's most interesting figures, treating them not just as athletes, but as complex individuals with rich stories that extend far beyond the pitch. Whether the episodes are about Messi, Abramovich, Cruyff, Şükür or Haaland, Heroes & Humans is the go-to podcast for football audio-biographies, released once weekly on Thursdays.

Simon Kuper, acclaimed by Time Magazine as "one of the world's leading writers on soccer," and an awarded Financial Times columnist, brings a three-decade career of interviewing and understanding the personalities that define the world’s greatest sport. Having attended the last nine World Cups and boasting Europe's largest football library, Simon's insights are rooted in a profound depth of knowledge and passion for football.

"I've spent 30 years interviewing and trying to understand these people," Simon reflects. "When podcasts came along, I thought: this is the perfect venue to present it all. And Mehreen is obviously the perfect co-host. The aim is to do a football podcast like no other, which treats these heroes as humans."

Mehreen Khan, whose day job is as the Economics Editor at The Times, believes football is a "brilliant shortcut in how to understand societies, economies, and politics". She is a football obsessive and die-hard Chelsea fan. With her ability to intertwine socio-political narratives with pop culture savvy, Mehreen stands out in the football podcasting landscape. Her presence as one of the few female voices adds a valuable dimension, broadening the conversation for listeners.

Mehreen was previously the FT’s Brussels correspondent, before moving to The Times in 2022. She started her career in sports journalism at the Daily Telegraph in 2014, and wrote a football blog that touched on themes including Russia’s breakaway Muslim separatism, German multiculturalism, and the earth-shattering magnificence of Andrea Pirlo.

Together, Simon and Mehreen aim to share insights into what makes our figures tick and understand where they come from. Their dynamic interchange offers listeners not just sports commentary but a cultural expedition. Join us on "Heroes & Humans" as we embark on this journey, presenting football's iconic figures not just as athletes, but as multifaceted humans with stories that transcend the pitch. Through our podcast, we aim to explore their personal journeys, challenges, triumphs, and the human emotions that unite us all.