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With over 4 billion fans spread across the globe, soccer is by far the most popular sport throughout the world. It’s become life to many let’s look at the reasons to play!
Two teams, two goals, one ball, and one field. Simple! Some people are lucky enough to earn a living from soccer, bringing them fame and fortune on a global scale. But what about the rest of us?
I’ve been playing soccer since I was young and have never taken a dime for my services! So, what are the reasons for me to play week in and week out, regardless of the weather? The answer is simple, the love of the game.
What Soccer Is and Why You Should Play
Soccer is a game of two halves, split into two 45 minutes sections. The teams play in the opposite direction to each other, which switches at halftime.
The primary aim of the game is to score more than the opponent. That is to get the ball over the line, in the goal.
Although it may seem odd to some, kicking a ball from one side of the field to the other, there’s a lot more to it!
- Drama
- Physical Prowess
- Atmosphere
- Unity
Soccer is a team game, with eleven players on one side; they all must give their all for any success.
For soccer to be explained, you must support one of the teams – of course, you can be neutral and support both, but there’s more excitement when you back a team.
Soccer has many rules, which can confuse people from the beginning, but it’s important to know the basics first.
The experience of watching and playing soccer
With soccer being so popular globally, there are many games on TV. Tune in and soak up the atmosphere over 40,000 fans generate when supporting their team, singing songs, and shouting encouragement.
Better still, get them to a live game. There’s nothing like entering the stadium and being part of the experience for yourself with the noise, the smells, and the electric atmosphere.
Walking up the stadium steps to the field side, you are met with a deafening roar, unusual smells, and various colors.
Sitting in a stadium is the ultimate soccer experience when a playoff or a final is to be won.
What inspires People To play soccer?
Soccer is a game that can be played by anyone, short, tall, lean, or otherwise. It’s all inclusive! You don’t need to be a certain size to take part.
Soccer can be played almost anywhere. As long as you have a ball, you can play. Soccer is a healthy way to have fun. Even when you’re a beginner, you can perform some tricks that will get you hooked.
The entry point to playing soccer is low, allowing the smallest kids to participate. Even toddlers can play soccer! This is the game’s beauty; anyone can play at any stage of their life. Above all, it was about having fun.
As I got older, inspiration could be found in other places. I played in a team that was better than most, winning more often than not.
Other sports, like football, golf, and tennis, require skill and functionality to begin, whereas soccer is open to all.
What is so great about soccer?
Soccer is great as it gives us an escape from reality, if only for 90 minutes. It’s important to look after our mental health as much as our physical well-being, and soccer ticks both boxes.
- Skills
- Teamwork
- Technical nature
- Tactics and positions
- Ever-changing aspects throughout the game
Soccer brings people together from different walks of life, all uniting behind a team, sticking together in both victory and defeat.
I find it heartening that clubs have a presence within a community, giving something back to the fans with various social programs.
Soccer might unite some people, but it can also divide opinion, none more so than when two rival supporters get together!
It’s great to hear differing views centered around the same incident, neither wanting to give any ground on their opinions.
Why does soccer make you happy?
Being on the pitch and taking part is enough to release a batch of endorphins and make you feel happy. This is also true when your team wins.
When I played 11-a-side a few years ago, I was always happy when things were running smoothly, and my team was playing well.
As a forward, my role in the team was to score goals, and it was always a rush when the ball hit the back of the net.
These days, I can enjoy watching teams play an attacking style of soccer. Teams such as Manchester City are great to watch when in full, attacking flow as they pick apart their opponents.
It makes me happy that soccer embraces diversity and encourages people to play regardless of sex, ethnicity, or religion.
Soccer includes everyone from any walk of life, helping people with disabilities or mental health problems to play and socialize with other soccer fans.
This shows that, once you take up soccer, you’re part of the wider soccer family.
Reasons why soccer is the best sport
Soccer is the most popular sport globally, but does that make it the best? This is my personal opinion; some people will favor other sports such as boxing or basketball.
Here is a list of things that, in my opinion, make soccer the best sport in the world. In no particular order:
It’s easy to get started
Anyone can play soccer; all you need is a ball! You don’t have to belong to a club or team to play; you can still kick a ball around for the sheer fun of it. Find a place with enough space to play, and you’re ready to go.
You can play on your own or with a few friends; the choice is yours. Mastering the basic skills of the game is a good start if you want to participate;
- Passing
- Control
- Dribbling
- Shooting
Play your way to fame and fortune
For you to get started, soccer doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. The equipment required is minimal compared to other sports, making it more accessible to the fan on the street.
Whether you hail from the favelas of Brazil or the relative comfort of Beverly Hills, soccer doesn’t discriminate.
Everyone can get involved! You can improvise to get a game started even if you don’t have the cash to buy the basics.
Rich history
Soccer has been around for a long time, and many clubs, predominantly in Europe, were formed in the 1800s.
There is also some evidence to suggest that there were rudimentary forms of soccer dating back even further, so the game is rich in historical value.
Soccer has changed considerably since its inception, and it’s interesting to see how it was in different eras. Who is the greatest player to grace the game?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominate the sport right now, but how do they compare to players of yesteryear?
If you have never had the pleasure of watching Pele score a goal or Johan Cruyff perform his trademark turn, see the videos below;
Spectacular stadiums
When you play at a grassroots standard, some of the pitches can be less than ideal. The grass is a luscious green and perfectly even at the pro level.
The fans create an electric atmosphere as they lend their support to their team, grown people singing at the top of their voices.
The stadium is almost rocking when things are going well; it’s a sight to behold!
Every game is different
The basics are the same, score a goal or two more than the opponents, but there are many ways to reach a positive result. There is no better sight than watching a top team carving open a tight defense with flowing, attacking soccer.
Similarly, being part of a great passage of play that results in a goal is just as exhilarating when you’re on the pitch yourself.
Games can be won with one moment of sublime skill, with an unbelievable save from the goalkeeper or a last-ditch goal-line clearance from a defender.
Every player on the pitch has a role to play, and it’s very satisfying when you and your teammates pull together to get a winning result.
What can soccer teach you?
Soccer can teach us many things that can be useful in our everyday lives. Here are a few examples:
- Teamwork
- Decision making
- Learning from mistakes
- Problem-solving
- How to win and lose gracefully
- Discipline
In conclusion, there are many reasons it’s good to play soccer, each of which is an individual choice.
Whether it’s for mental and physical fitness, to socialize with friends, or simply for the love of the game, soccer is life for many reasons – it’s a beautiful game.
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Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.
