NL Playoffs Ep 3: Tokyo Olympics, US Open, and Leo Messi leaves Barcelona

In this episode of NL Playoffs, hosts and Newslaundry subscribers Aniketh and Gowtham are joined by sports journalist Zenia D'cunha.

In a round-up of what went down at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, the panel discusses Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi sharing the gold in the men’s high jump, and Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge defending his title in the men’s marathon. They also discuss India’s performance, from Neeraj Chopra to Aditi Ashok, and their favourite moments in the Olympics.

The conversation shifts to the US Open and how Roger Federer’s knee injury will keep him out this year. The panel agrees that Djokovic might end up with more grand slams than Federer and Nadal.

On Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona after two decades and moving on to Paris Saint Germain, Zenia talks about Messi and Sergio Ramos being on the same team. “I don’t know whether Ramos would be able to resist tackling Messi just every time he’s near the goal,” she says. “This is going to change a lot of dynamics.”

Aniketh also asks Zenia if she thinks PSG is now the most hated club in the world. You’ll have to tune in to find out what she says.

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Timecodes

0:23 - Introduction

2:27 - Headlines

20:24 - Tokyo Olympics

51:02 - Messi leaving Barca

58:18 - Recommendations

Recommendations

Zenia

Sid Lowe’s tribute to Messi

India at Tokyo 2020 Olympics: From finalists to medallists, complete results of record contingent

Aniketh

The little devil who became a deity: Messi exit leaves a void like no other

'Betiyaan' to badasses: How the hockey team became the team we love - and the women they wanted to be

Gowtham

Short Game

The Academy

The Wisdom of the Crowd

Produced and recorded by Ameen Barief, edited by Saif Ali Ekram.