Football doesn’t always end how you imagine.

Injury. Identity. Starting again.

In this episode, Sami opens up about his journey through football — moving between Spain and England, battling long-term injury, and navigating the uncertainty that comes when the game stops.

This conversation captures exactly what Life Through Ball is about: the parts of football we don’t prepare players for, and the resilience it takes to build a life beyond the pitch.

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In this episode of Life Through Ball, Tarek sits down with Kraig McLeod to talk about the realities of football that often get laughed off but rarely spoken about properly. Kraig shares his journey through academy football at QPR and Norwich, the transition into non-leaguee, and the moments that forced him to rethink his relationship with the game. We explore what it really feels like to be released, the identity shift that follows, and how humour became a way to process the harder parts of football life. Now known for his football skits and content that resonate with players who have been or are still on that same journey, Kraig explains why laughing through it all became his coping mechanism and creative outlet. This conversation goes beyond football careers and into identity, resilience, mental health and finding your voice when the game does not go to plan. A real and honest conversation about life through football.

Follow Kraig:

https://www.instagram.com/_1kmac?igsh=ZzJ5NnVveG82MTdt

https://www.tiktok.com/@1kmac_?_r=1&_t=ZN-93EwYngBjFO

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Firstly, I want to acknowledge the gap for audio listeners and say thank you for your patience. Life happens, growth takes time, and I really appreciate everyone who has stayed connected during this period.

Welcome to the Season 2 finale of Life Through Ball.

This season has been a journey. We explored the game beyond the pitch through conversations around player care, coaching, media, analysis, identity, and the human stories that sit behind football. It’s taken the platform deeper than ever into the lives of the people who shape the game, often away from the spotlight.

In this episode, I reflect on the defining moments, lessons, and themes that shaped Season 2, and share why now feels like the right time to close this chapter.

This finale also marks an important transition.

Life Through Ball represents an evolution of the platform. A return to the heart of why this started in the first place: using football as a lens to explore life, identity, culture, and personal journeys. The game remains the constant, but the conversations are widening.

Season 3 builds on everything that’s come before, with a clearer focus, deeper storytelling, and voices that reflect football in all its complexity.

Thank you for being part of the journey so far. Season 3 is just getting started, and there’s a lot more to come.

https://www.youtube.com/@lifethroughball