Episode
First Touch Dispatch | James Rodriguez Retires, VAR Controversy & the Ballon d’Or
- Podcast
- First Touch | World Soccer
- Published
- Sep 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1014
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://kickbacksoccer.com/
Actions
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Summary
James Rodriguez brings his Colombia career to a close, four Americans are making their mark at Middlesbrough, and Paris FC and Como are emerging among Europe’s early-season surprises. Plus, the fallout from the Manchester Derby’s VAR controversy and a closer look at this year’s Ballon d’Or race. 0:00 Intro 0:34 James Rodriguez Retires 1:33 Americans at Middlesbrough 4:30 Paris FC Among France’s Elite 6:23 Como’s Champions League Breakthrough 8:17 Manchester Derby VAR Controversy 11:00 A Closer Look: The Ballon d’Or 15:00 One for the Road: Cavan Sullivan The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm