The storyline the media and fans create around a player, team, or competition. Some narratives are lazy clichés that get repeated without evidence. Others capture real patterns. "Messi can't do it on a cold night in Stoke" was a narrative, so was "Liverpool always bottle it" before 2019. Narratives shape how achievements get perceived - sometimes unfairly.
The "Harry Kane has no trophies" narrative defined how people discussed him for years - never mind his golden boots and goal records, the lack of silverware was brought up constantly and affected how his career was valued.
Robbie
Jan 19, 2026
Attacking the area closest to where the cross is coming from, often flicking the ball on or getting a touch ahead of the defender. Near post runs stretch the defense because they have to cover both the near post and the back post. Quick, decisive runs to the near post create chances even from poor crosses because you're attacking the ball ahead of your marker.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was a master of the near post run. He'd dart in front of his marker, meet crosses early, and flick them past the keeper. Defenders knew it was coming but couldn't stop it.
Robbie
Feb 5, 2026
Passing the ball through an opponent's legs and collecting it on the other side. Also called "panna" in street football or "megs" in British slang. It's embarrassing for the defender and always gets a reaction from the crowd. You need good timing and sometimes a feint to open their legs. Nobody's quite sure where the name comes from - theories include Victorian nutmeg trading slang and cockney rhyming slang.
Lionel Messi nutmegged James Milner three times in one Champions League match in 2015, with the third one becoming an iconic moment that spawned countless memes and highlights.
Robbie
Feb 2, 2026