The Hand of Pod is an English-language podcast focusing exclusively on Argentinian soccer.
As you read this, I’m somewhere in Buenos Aires, Argentina, fresh off my first-ever professional soccer match. Not just first-ever match in Argentina (which it was) but in, like, anywhere. Yeah, I probably could have just driven to Columbus and see the MLS’s Crew or even head to Hamtramck to see the USL’s Detroit City FC, but I figured, let’s go for it! Seeing River Plate host San Martin in Estadio Monumental was pretty epic, but more on that another time as part of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
In advance of my trip to the one of the most southernly parts in all of South America, I spoke with Sam Kelly, host of the only (as far he and I can tell, at least;-) English-language podcast devoted to Argentinian soccer, er, futbol, “The Hand of Pod.”
Himself a southwest England native, Sam’s been living and working in Argentina for 15 years and has been hosting the podcast just about as long. During our discussion we learn a bit about his sports fan journey and then take a deep dive into what makes Argentinian soccer so special. In a word, he tells me it’s the passion of the fans, but like epicenters for most sports it’s more nuanced than that. Please enjoy this bonus episode of Conversations with Sports Fans as Sam and I talk about Argentinian soccer.