The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
South Beach Sessions: Andrés Cantor
Date: October 2, 2025
Main Theme
In this South Beach Session, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz sit down with the legendary soccer broadcaster Andrés Cantor for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation at the Elser Hotel in downtown Miami. The episode explores Cantor’s iconic career, the emotional legacy of his famous goal calls, his immigrant experience, family and fatherhood, his competitive drive, and the evolution of soccer in the United States. Listeners are treated to stories behind the moments that made Cantor a global icon, insights into his unique broadcasting style, and reflections on his impact in sports and pop culture.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Making of a Legend: Early Career and Breakthrough
- Transition from Print to TV:
Cantor started as a sportswriter in Argentina, never expecting a TV career."I went through the four years of journalism curriculum in USC without taking one television or radio course." (02:30, Cantor)
- Learning TV on the Fly:
His very first TV assignment was daunting—he’d never been in a studio before, but he learned quickly, finding excitement in each new challenge."[The director said] Sit in your chair like you have a stick up your ass in Spanish and just read and be yourself. … And then I sweated it out." (03:49, Cantor)
- Evolution to Icon:
Cantor’s signature “GOOOOL” call took years to perfect and was shaped by the traditions he grew up listening to.
2. The Power and Pressure of the Famous “GOOOOL” Call
- Hyper-Famous for One Word:
Despite being a lover of words and stories, Cantor became synonymous with a single, stretched-out exclamation, delivering it from the heart each time."If you have to summarize my career with just one word, we know what." (06:24, Cantor)
- Emotional Transparency:
His call during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win went viral because it was raw, tearful, and deeply personal."I got stopped in Australia, in Europe, in Argentina, anywhere I go, they say, 'hey, wait a second, you made me cry.'" (06:51, Cantor)
- Balance Between Passion and Professionalism:
Cantor maintains objectivity even when calling games for his native Argentina, but allows emotion to break through at historic moments."…the biggest compliment that I got after the final was from people not from Argentina saying how loud and long I yelled the Mbappé goals..." (12:34, Cantor)
3. Legacy, Family, and Viral Moments
- Working With His Son:
Cantor and his son Nico became the first-ever father-son team on an English sports broadcast covering soccer."I told Nico...forget that I’m your dad. Just...let’s do how it’s usually done." (30:32, Cantor)
This led to a powerful, emotional broadcast and a personal bucket-list moment for Cantor. "At the end, I started crying like a baby." (33:08, Cantor) - Legacy Not on His Mind:
Despite decades of influence, Cantor says he rarely contemplates his legacy, focused instead on loving his craft and looking forward to the next game."No, never. Honestly, never. ...I think I have a few World Cups left." (06:51, Cantor)
4. Competitive Spirit and Preparation
- Unyielding Competitive Edge:
Cantor’s professionalism is rooted in an intense competitiveness, which he admits manifests in both professional and personal life."I'm 110% professional and I prepare as much as I can. And when I fail ... I can't sleep at night." (18:32, Cantor)
- Self-Criticism:
He can’t let go of even minor mistakes, such as confusing players’ names in a broadcast."When that happens...it bothers me. I don't know, it's just a competitive...within myself." (19:09, Cantor)
5. The Immigrant Experience and Assimilation
- Coming to America as an Outsider:
Cantor’s family fled turmoil in Argentina, landing first in Sacramento with challenging cultural and linguistic adjustments."It was very, very hard...had never seen a horse or a cow in my life. I came from Buenos Aires..." (21:49, Cantor)
- Early Roots and Family Pressure:
Like Dan, Cantor faced parental expectations to pursue a “practical” career, but chose journalism against his father’s wishes."We support you. And my dad said, 'pero te vas a morir de hambre.' You're gonna die of hunger, right?" (26:07, Cantor)
6. Career Achievements and Trailblazing Moments
- Pioneering Crossover:
Cantor was the first Spanish-language broadcaster to call a major sporting tournament in English, starting with the 2000 Sydney Olympics."I think I was [the first]. It was super, super important." (37:38, Cantor)
- Recognition in Pop Culture:
Cantor appeared on The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Super Bowl ads. He names The Simpsons cameo as his most surreal pop culture moment."If you made it on the Simpsons, you're big." (46:02, Cantor)
- Personal Milestones:
His World Cup call for Argentina—and the emotional response it generated—is unmatched."This was the pinnacle of the athlete’s career and the broadcasting career of Andrés Cantor.” (67:33, Cantor)
7. The Business Side & Entrepreneurial Ventures
- Radio Company Ownership:
Cantor co-owns Fútbol de Primera, holding radio rights to the FIFA World Cup for over 20 years."I own my own radio company that owns the Spanish language rights to the FIFA World Cup." (48:27, Cantor)
- High-Risk, High-Reward:
He took significant financial risks to secure broadcasting rights and highlights the transformation and growth of soccer radio in the US."Super risky. We were very young and had good bankers that lent us [the money]..." (49:59, Cantor)
8. The Evolution of Soccer in the US
- From Obscurity to Mainstream:
Cantor traces the dramatic growth of soccer—from no professional league in 1987 to the robust, globalized MLS and massive World Cup events stateside."At the beginning there was no professional league...Now we have a very robust league of 30 professional teams." (56:26, Cantor)
9. Superstitions, Sentimentality, and The Weight of Big Moments
- Intensity of Superstition:
Cantor details rituals he followed during Argentina’s World Cup run, including wearing the same suit, socks, and underwear."I have the suit at home. I have my underwear at home. I have the socks at home, framed on the wall." (72:26, Cantor)
- The Emotional Climax:
His call for Argentina’s win wove together the strands of national pride, immigrant identity, and family legacy."I felt I was representing all Argentinians living in this country. ...This was the pinnacle..." (67:33, Cantor)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On being recognized for his voice:
“Yet the best compliments I get is when I'm in a supermarket line and the lady behind me says, wait, aren't you the Voice?” (01:57, Cantor)
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On objectivity and pride:
“On the record that I'm not a hypocrite...I mean, you ask me, who do you want to win? Argentina.” (10:31, Cantor)
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On raw emotion in the broadcast booth:
“I mean, my viral call of the winning penalty kick in Qatar for Argentina, the fact that I am Argentinian did shake me a little bit..." (06:51, Cantor)
“At the end, I started crying like, you know, like a baby.” (33:08, Cantor) -
Dan, on Cantor transcending traditional broadcasting:
“I'm just not used to seeing my broadcasters sob with their champions.” (15:59, Le Batard)
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On competitiveness and preparedness:
“I'm super competitive. ...I'm 110% professional and I prepare as much as I can. And when I fail ... I can't sleep at night.” (18:32, Cantor)
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On immigrant pride and connection during the World Cup:
“I felt I was representing all Argentinians living in this country. ...This was the pinnacle…” (67:33, Cantor)
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On superstition when calling the World Cup:
“I have the suit at home. I have my underwear at home. I have the socks at home, framed on the wall.” (72:26, Cantor)
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On his most surreal pop culture moment:
"If you made it on The Simpsons, you’re big." (46:02, Cantor)
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On his viral US radio call and Dan’s part in it:
“You viralized the moment of my career before social media after I called the Landon Donovan goal in South Africa for my radio company, and within an hour of the match…you replayed the moment.” (74:31, Cantor)
Timetable of Important Segments
- 01:27-03:49: Cantor recounts transition from print to TV journalism
- 06:51-10:05: Impact and aftermath of the viral 2022 World Cup call
- 12:34-16:14: Professionalism vs. passion in broadcasting
- 21:49-24:35: Challenges of immigrating to the US as a teenager
- 26:07-27:11: Family reaction to pursuing journalism over medicine
- 30:32-34:48: Emotional experience of broadcasting with his son, Nico
- 37:38-42:43: Pioneering the crossover to English-language sports commentary
- 43:17-45:47: Modern challenges of preparation and staying unique as a broadcaster
- 46:02: The Simpsons cameo and other pop culture moments
- 48:27-52:49: Business ventures: owning a radio company, broadcast rights negotiations
- 53:08: Why Cantor rarely performs his “Goal” call on demand in public
- 56:26-58:02: Growth of professional soccer in America
- 67:33-72:26: Description and significance of the 2022 World Cup Argentina call; emotional resonance and superstition
- 74:31-75:34: Dan and Cantor reminisce about their connection via a historic US radio call
Concluding Tone & Takeaway
This episode is rich with gratitude, nostalgia, and candid emotion. Cantor’s love of the game and his craft is palpable, as is his pride in his family, his roots, and his singular place in sports broadcasting history. Le Batard and Cantor connect over their shared immigrant upbringings and family expectations, blending humor, sentiment, and profound respect for Cantor’s life-inspiring journey.
For listeners:
If you want to understand the heart, hustle, and humanity behind one of soccer’s greatest voices—and how sports can bridge cultures, families, and generations—this conversation delivers it all.
“I love it every day. ...I am enjoying. I’m full of gratitude that I get to sit in the best seat in the house in the biggest sporting events in history...and they pay me for it. What else can you do?”
—Andrés Cantor (35:45)