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Football is a game best experienced from the stands. Unfortunately, due to geographical constraints and a thousand other reasons, most of us have to settle for the next best thing - watching on the television.
The sophisticated camera work makes it a worthwhile experience, but it does not exactly make it immersive. The immersion is only possible through commentators who struck a perfect balance between passion and logic.
Today, we will take a look at five active commentators in football who entertain us week in, week out. The ones on our list today are not only brilliant analysts but also know how to make the sentences sing.
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Now, without further ado, let us check out the best commentators in the world right now:
Special note: We are only including English-speaking commentators on our list.
#5 Jim Beglin
Unlike most other names on our list, Jim Beglin has primarily served as a co-commentator, which makes his inclusion all the more impressive. Beglin has worked alongside the likes of Jon Champion and Peter Drury, enriching the leads with his tokens of wisdom. One is never going to run out of topics to talk about with the 58-year-old around.
Beglin currently works as a co-commentator on CBS Sports, BT Sport and Premier League Productions. He has also had much success serving as a co-commentator for ITV and Granada Television.
While most football commentators tend to sidestep unpleasant assessments and controversial statements, the Irishman tackles them head on. He has never been afraid to call a spade a spade, which, we believe, makes him a unique personality.
In a Premier League encounter between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, Beglin “accidentally” called City’s ground “the Emptyhad.”
He was quick to rectify his slip-up, but knowing how straightforward the former Liverpool man is, we aren’t sure whether the jibe was completely accidental.
#4 Ray Hudson
Undoubtedly the most emotion-driven commentator on this list, Ray Hudson, is all about using top superlatives for the players and teams he loves. Hudson tends to use metaphors more than the average commentator, which has drawn both praise and ridicule from fans and critics.
The 66-year-old covered the 2002 World Cup for ESPN, but was not a regular at the channel afterwards. He moved to Gol TV in 2004 and regularly commentated on European football. His final transfer was to Sirius XM Radio in 2012, where he currently serves as a radio host.
Hudson’s favorite footballer Lionel Messi has often been showered with unimaginable superlatives. We are taking a snippet of Hudson’s reaction after the Argentine scored an injury-time winner against Real Madrid in the 2016-17 season.
Hudson commented:
“The menacing man arrives and sinks his flaming spear into the hearts of Real Madrid. Astonishing from Messi. All the pieces falling into place. Messi, born into the crossfire hurricane and he is Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”
Magical.
#3 Jon Champion
Having been in the industry for over two decades, Jon Champion has worked with the biggest names in the broadcasting industry. Champion started his career at the BBC before joining ITV in 2001.
Following a successful stint in ITV, he moved to ESPN UK in 2009. He currently covers Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States for ESPN and ABC.
Known for his humorous quips, sharp analysis, and interesting wordplay, Champion has witnessed many footballing milestones over the last 20 years. Apart from making it big in the Premier League, Champions League and the FA Cup, the 56-year-old has also covered the last seven World Cups.
Champion was in close quarters when Michael Owen scored the iconic solo goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup. Witnessing the birth of the superstar, the commentator said:
“This is Owen... taken it in his stride. Chamot is trying not to bring him down... it's still Michael Owen... he's scored a wonderful goal. Is there nothing beyond this 18-year-old?”
Iconic.
#2 Martin Tyler
Hailed as one of the greatest commentators in the history of the sport, Martin Tyler has dominated the scene for almost 50 years. After making a name for himself as a football pundit, Tyler took up commentary in 1974. For ITV, he covered all the biggest games in football, first as a co-commentator then as the lead.
Impressed with his skillset, Sky Sports lapped him up in 1990 and he’s been with them since. Currently working as a chief commentator, Tyler headlines the biggest games in England, Europe, and the world.
As you would expect, the 76-year-old has built up quite a collection of memorable commentary snippets over the years. Picking only one is an impossibly tough job, but if we had to choose one, we’d have to go with that famous Manchester City comeback.
City needed a couple of goals in injury time in their last game of the 2011-12 Premier League season to win the league. 2-1 down, Edin Dzeko scored the equalizer against Queens Park Rangers in the 92nd minute, setting up a frantic finale. Then came Sergio Aguero’s dramatic winner, which sealed City’s first league title win in 44 years.
Tyler reacted with a memorable shout for Aguero, urging every football fan to drink in the moment. He said:
“AGUEROOOOOO... I swear, you'll never see anything like this ever again! So watch it, drink it in.”
Goosebumps.
#1 Peter Drury
English wordsmith Peter Drury is arguably the most recognizable voice in the footballing world right now. He is an expert at analyzing the game and has a penchant for finding the perfect words for the most emotionally-charged moments.
Drury, who has been in the commentary business for over three decades, is often the leading voice in the Premier League’s most highly-anticipated matches. He also commentates on the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League when an opportunity presents itself.
Synonymous with flowy, unmatched commentary, Drury has dropped many gems over the years. Yet the passage he produced after Kostas Manolas’ winner against Barcelona in the 2017-18 Champions League quarter-final takes the cake.
After losing the first leg 4-1 at Barcelona, Roma needed a 3-0 win at home to turn it around on aggregate. Following Manolas’ dramatic late winner, Drury opined:
"Roma have risen from their ruins. Manolas the Greek God in Rome. The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes. It is a Greek from Mount Olympus who has come to the seven hills of Rome and pulled off a miracle."
Spectacular.
