Footballers Unfiltered
Footballers Unfiltered
Podcast Description
Join Joe Hart for Footballers Unfiltered, a show which explores what life as a professional footballer is really like.
Footballers Unfiltered allows current and former players from the men’s and women’s game to have open conversations about the hidden side of the profession – highlighting player stories and challenges which many people don’t see, and shining a light on how player unions are tackling these issues.
This project has been created by FIFPRO, the global union for professional footballers. 2025 marks their 60th anniversary fighting to protect the well-being of players today.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as life after football, personal development, and player challenges, often featuring specific topics like players' transition to post-football careers and the support provided by player unions. For example, the inaugural episode discusses Giorgio Chiellini's experiences and the importance of education alongside his football career.
Join Joe Hart for Footballers Unfiltered, a show which explores what life as a professional footballer is really like.
Footballers Unfiltered allows current and former players from the men’s and women’s game to have open conversations about the hidden side of the profession – highlighting player stories and challenges which many people don’t see, and shining a light on how player unions are tackling these issues.
This project has been created by FIFPRO, the global union for professional footballers. 2025 marks their 60th anniversary fighting to protect the well-being of players today.
Footballers Unfiltered with Joe Hart returns for Season 2 with a powerful conversation about leadership, identity, and activism in the modern game, told through the lens of Australian international and FC St. Pauli captain, Jackson Irvine.
A standout midfielder in the Bundesliga, Jackson is also vice-captain of the Socceroos and co-president of Professional Footballers Australia – making him a leading voice on and off the pitch. He speaks openly about his passions beyond football, including politics, fashion, and music, and how they’ve shaped both his game and his mission to represent players.
Joe and Jackson swap World Cup memories, from Jackson’s experiences as a fan and player to facing Mbappé and Messi in 2022. With Australia already qualified for 2026, he hopes to make it three tournaments and counting.
They’re joined for this episode by Shoko Tsuji, General Secretary of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, who sheds light on the unique challenges players face across the region. This includes anti-union sentiment to extreme travel demands and online abuse.
Together, they discuss:
Balancing football with leadership in global and national unions
How dressing rooms have shifted to embrace individuality and self-expression
The need for better mental health support and post-career planning
What it’s like leading the Socceroos and going toe-to-toe with Messi
Why more players need a seat at the table in shaping football’s future
This episode is a reminder that footballers are more than athletes; they’re people, leaders, and changemakers. And Jackson Irvine is helping define what the future of the game can be.
To discover more about FIFPRO and their 60th anniversary, visit:
Follow for more on X: https://x.com/FIFPro?mx=2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifpro/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIFPRO/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fifpro/posts/?feedView=all
YouTube:: https://www.youtube.com/user/FIFProTV/videos
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fifpro
This is a podcast made by Message Heard for FIFPRO.
Host: Joe Hart
Producer: Mark Kendrick
Production Coordinator: Kirsty McLean
Videographer and editor: Ethan Judd
Sound Editor: Lizzy Andrews
Disclaimer
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