PUNDIT came about in an unusual way.

Two pals were sat in an office, fed up of their day jobs like so many of us are. To spice things up a bit, they decided to challenge each other on their footballing trivia.

After hours of shouting ‘Shearer’, ‘Sporting Lisbon’ and ‘Italia ‘90’ to answer just some of the questions, a colleague told them to go and play their daft game elsewhere. Only it wasn’t a fully designed game… until now.

In the 1970s and 80s, English football was defined by a tough and intense playing style. It was an era of hard tackles and a highly physical approach to the game. Liverpool’s dominance in the 80s, under manager Kenny Dalglish and players like Ian Rush and Alan Hansen, cemented the club’s status as one of the most powerful teams of the period.

The 1990s marked the modernization of English football. Manchester United’s dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson defined the decade. With players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham, they dominated both domestically and in Europe, becoming the ultimate symbol of British success.

The transition into the new millennium brought an intense rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United, with their contrasting styles and tactics becoming the talk of every pub and pundit. Arsène Wenger’s free-flowing, poetic football clashed with Sir Alex Ferguson’s no-nonsense, win-at-all-costs mentality, making for some of the most dramatic clashes in Premier League history. Then came José Mourinho, the self-proclaimed "Special One," who swaggered into Stamford Bridge, parked the bus (when necessary), and turned Chelsea into a ruthless winning machine.

The 2000s belonged to Arsenal’s "Invincibles" for a hot minute—until reality (and an angry Wayne Rooney) caught up with them. Thierry Henry was playing football like it was art, Bergkamp was casually embarrassing defenders, and Patrick Vieira was running midfields like a boss. But Ferguson doesn’t do second place.

The 2010s in the Premier League were a heady mix of glitz, glamour, and a few unexpected twists—imagine a season of high drama where fortunes could change on the flip of a coin, or rather, on the flick of a fancy new boot. It was a decade when the league evolved into a global circus of marquee signings and multi-million-pound deals, with Manchester City and Chelsea flaunting their financial muscle alongside the perennial powerhouses of Manchester United and Arsenal.

Amid the glitter, there were moments of pure, unadulterated footballing magic—Mesut Özil threading passes like a bespoke tailor, Sergio Agüero scoring goals that defied physics, and Robin van Persie occasionally reminding us that he was, in his prime, worth the wait.

hen the Premier League was introduced in 1992, English football essentially split into two worlds. On one side, you had the glitzy, Sky Sports-fuelled revolution, where big clubs cashed in, foreign superstars arrived, and managers started using words like “philosophy” instead of just shouting at their players. On the other, the Football League carried on in its own stubborn, no-nonsense way—fewer fireworks, more freezing-cold Tuesday nights in Stoke, and a place where proper football still felt, well, proper.

While the Premier League turned into a global spectacle, the Football League remained the gritty, unpredictable, brilliantly chaotic heart of English football. The Championship became the toughest, most unpredictable league in the world, where anyone could beat anyone and where promotion was worth its weight in gold.

The history of the Champions League is an incredible story of football’s evolution and drama over the decades. From its humble beginnings with just eight teams to becoming a global spectacle, the tournament has become the epicenter for the biggest clubs and players.

Initially, the Champions League was a modest competition with only eight teams, but it quickly grew into the most prestigious club football championship in the world. Marseille’s sensational victory in 1993, breaking Italian dominance with their win over AC Milan, was a moment that highlighted the tournament’s dynamism and unpredictability.

In the 1990s, Ajax assembled a fantastic squad led by coach Louis van Gaal, featuring stars like the De Boer brothers, leaving a remarkable mark on the competition. This era showcased Ajax’s outstanding player development and tactical brilliance, setting new standards for European club football.

Unforgettable finals, such as Manchester United’s last-second victory in 1999, demonstrated the intense drama that defines the Champions League. Liverpool’s incredible comeback in the 2005 final and Barcelona’s dominant performances in the late 2000s, led by players like Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, cemented the tournament’s status as the ultimate stage for world-class football.

Football outside the UK has always had its own unique flavour—different styles, different mentalities, and a whole lot of chaos in between. Where English football built itself on grit, flying tackles, and the idea that anything less than a full-blooded 50/50 is a moral failing, the rest of Europe took a slightly different approach.

In Germany, it’s all about ruthless efficiency, perfectly timed pressing, and a fan culture so intense that a mid-table clash can feel like a Champions League final. Italy, on the other hand, has spent decades turning defending into an art form, with managers treating 1-0 wins like masterpieces and players mastering the dark arts before they can legally drive.

Meanwhile, Spain leans into pure technical brilliance—tiki-taka, galácticos, and a league that often feels like a beautifully choreographed ballet, just with more referee complaints.

The history of the England national team is a tale of triumph, heartbreak, and a near-religious belief that this tournament might just be the one. The 1966 World Cup remains the high point, the moment England actually ruled the footballing world, with Bobby Moore as the nation’s golden boy and Geoff Hurst’s “was it over the line?” goal still causing arguments to this day. But since then, it’s largely been a story of glorious failure, endless hope, and the sort of dramatic exits that would make Shakespeare proud.

The 90s gave England a sniff of something special. Gazza in full flight at Italia ‘90 had the country believing—until, inevitably, penalties happened. Then, of course, there were the tears. Fast forward to Euro ‘96, football was coming home, beer was flying, and Three Lions was blaring out of every pub. The squad looked the part, Shearer was scoring for fun, and even Stuart Pearce got his redemption. Then, of course, more penalties happened. Gareth Southgate stepped up, fluffed his lines, and Germany did what Germany always does.

The FIFA World Cup stands as a global phenomenon and one of the most iconic events in sports. Since its inception in 1930, the tournament has evolved into a worldwide celebration of football and culture.

England’s triumph in 1966 on home soil remains one of the most memorable moments in World Cup history. It was the first time a European team won the championship, leaving a lasting legacy for English football.

Pelé’s Brazil in 1958 and 1970 and Zidane’s France in 1998 and 2002 are legendary examples of teams that dominated the tournament with their blend of skill, tactics, and talent. These teams became symbols of excellence, creating unforgettable moments on the pitch.

Maradona’s “Hand of God” and later the “Goal of the Century” in 1986 have become part of football folklore. Meanwhile, Miroslav Klose’s record-breaking 16 World Cup goals stand as a testament to his enduring talent and dedication.