Listen "Jackson Irvine: I’ve never been scared of pushing boundaries"
Episode Synopsis
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 unionsHow dressing rooms have shifted to embrace individuality and self-expressionThe need for better mental health support and post-career planningWhat it’s like leading the Socceroos and going toe-to-toe with MessiWhy more players need a seat at the table in shaping football’s futureThis 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=2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifpro/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIFPRO/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fifpro/posts/?feedView=allYouTube:: https://www.youtube.com/user/FIFProTV/videosTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fifpro This is a podcast made by Message Heard for FIFPRO.Host: Joe HartProducer: Mark KendrickProduction Coordinator: Kirsty McLean Videographer and editor: Ethan JuddSound Editor: Lizzy Andrews
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