Interpreting in football is one of the most demanding, fast-paced and emotionally charged forms of communication work that exist. It goes far beyond transferring words from one language to another; it requires entering the rhythm, psychology and tactical heart of the sport. This year, my work as an interpreter in two major European competitions—the Europa League in Barcelona and the Champions League—reminded me once again how interpreting in football is not simply a linguistic skill, but a complete immersion into the culture, pressure and intensity of the game.
Football coaches are not like company directors giving a formal statement at a conference. They speak with their body before they open their mouth. They express frustration, adrenaline, disappointment or pride through tone, rhythm and even silence. As an interpreter, you need to be able to read these emotional layers instantly. When the coach is angry after a controversial referee decision, your voice must carry that tension—not exaggerated, not softened, but authentically reflected. When he is proud of his team’s effort, you must transmit that warmth in the same breath.
In Barcelona, I experienced this firsthand. A coach who had just come out of a high-stress moment during the match spoke rapidly, with a mixture of tactical explanations and emotional outbursts. The challenge wasn’t just the vocabulary—talking about pressing lines, rotations, high blocks, defensive transitions—it was the pace. Football thinking is fast, and coaches talk as fast as they think. My job was to “talk football,” not serve as a neutral machine. Football language has its own code: a “second ball,” “depth,” “occupying space,” “switching play.” If you translate literally, the meaning is lost. If you interpret the idea through the real football concept, communication flows naturally.
Both the Europa League and Champions League assignments this year brought a different set of challenges. At this higher level, media attention is enormous. Every word the coach says becomes a headline. I remember clearly the pressure of being on the podium, microphones glowing red, cameras inches away, journalists impatient for their quotes. I had to make sure every nuance of his message survived the journey through translation. One wrong term and you could accidentally change the meaning of his whole statement—something that in football can lead to misunderstandings, rumours or unnecessary tension.
Speed is always a difficulty. Sometimes coaches interrupt themselves, jump between topics or use metaphors that only make sense inside the dressing room. You must follow without hesitation. But it is not only about being fast—it is about being fast and accurate. The audience does not forgive mistakes.
Another constant challenge is proximity. You are often standing just a few centimetres from a coach who is exhausted, sweaty, emotionally drained after ninety minutes of play. You must keep your voice stable, your mind sharp and your presence calm. Your job is to be invisible and essential at the same time.
Interpreting in football is participation. You feel the victory, the defeat, the anxiety, the joy. You carry the message, but you also carry the emotion that comes with it. And when you step outside the stadium after the interview lights turn off, you leave knowing you were part of something bigger than language: you were part of the game.
