Sporting Giants

About Sporting Giants

Delve deep into the lives and careers of some of the biggest names in sport and hear from those who know them best.

Publisher

BBC Radio 5 Live

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Jan 2024

Latest episode

26 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Jun 2026

   4. Never Be Settled

   Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have become footballing icons over the last 20 years and while they continue to break records on the pitch, they also remain cultural and business giants off the field as well. Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore how Messi and Ronaldo have broken the mould in an era of social media with the help of experts from the world of marketing. We also hear how they have broken through into new frontiers and discuss why the debate over who really is the greatest continues to captivate the world.

2. 

   19 Jun 2026

   Episode 3 - The Weight of the World

   While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo sweep all before them with their club sides and win countless trophies, the one accolade which eludes them both is international success. In episode three of this four-part series, Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague explore the highs and lows both players have been through with Argentina and Portugal. From agonising defeats to the ultimate glory in Europe, South America and the biggest prize of all for Messi at the 2022 World Cup. We get the inside take from former team mates including Nani on how pivotal Ronaldo was to Portugal's Euro 2016 victory, while Emi Martinez describes what meaning the World Cup meant to Messi and Argentina.

3. 

   12 Jun 2026

   Episode 2 - The Clasico Era

   As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rise to become the best players in the world, their rivalry takes another step closer as Ronaldo joins Real Madrid to go head to head with Messi and Barcelona. In episode two of this four-part series, Steve Crossman and Guillem Balague discuss how the Real Madrid and Barcelona years shape the Messi and Ronaldo rivalry on and off the pitch as they battle for team and individual awards. Hear from the likes of former team-mates such as Javier Mascherano and Henrik Larsson as they describe the impact Messi had on Barcelona while ex Real Madrid assistant Paul Clement reveals how the mentality of Ronaldo sets him apart.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.2 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

50

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

31

Contact Sporting Giants

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Football Daily

• 

  Stick to Football

• 

  It Was What It Was

• 

  The Wayne Rooney Show

• 

  The Rest Is Football

• 

  The Overlap with Gary Neville