
Messi’s Penalty Paradox: Why the Great Struggles from the Spot
Lionel Messi converts just 77% of his penalties, a figure that falls short of elite averages, and his methods reveal a fascinating clash of skill and strategy.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Antonín Panenka across Soccer.

Lionel Messi converts just 77% of his penalties, a figure that falls short of elite averages, and his methods reveal a fascinating clash of skill and strategy.

A look at the colorful phrases that pepper the beautiful game, their origins, and the cultural footprints they leave across continents.

A look at the colorful slang that soccer fans worldwide bring to the World Cup, from "squeaky bum time" to "parking the bus", and how these phrases reflect the game’s evolving culture.

An exploration of the colorful phrases that have entered soccer’s global vocabulary, from tactical jargon to fan chants, and the stories behind them

As the United States, Canada and Mexico gear up to host the 2026 World Cup, a wave of distinctive soccer terminology from Europe, South America and beyond is reshaping conversations in North America. From Alex Ferguson’s "squeaky bum time" to Lionel Messi’s mastery of the "false 9", the sport’s lexicon is becoming a shared language among supporters and players alike.

Ahead of the North American World Cup, fans and pundits are adopting a host of niche expressions that capture the sport's drama, tactics and culture.