FOOTBALL, SUCH A PRECIOUS INTEREST NOWADAYS.

Modern football also given the name soccer in some countries is in fact one of the greatest if not the best sports that has ever been invented, that is watched and played today, that is loved by a good part of the world.

It was formalized in the United Kingdom in 1863. In October of that year, the Football Association was formed with the merging of 11 London schools and clubs who met at the Freemason’s Tavern and established rules for the game with the first ever soccer match being played in December between Barnes Football Club and Richmond Football Club. The rest, of course, is history.

Regardless of whether you call it football or soccer, it’s a sport with massive global appeal and fan interest. In fact, in 2017/18, more than 40% of people aged 16 or older in major population centers around the world consider themselves interested or very interested in following football, more so than any other sport and it keeps on growing. Do you think that this will be as such for the next coming centuries or even the next millennia? A very good question to be asked.

In addition, with the plethora of professional leagues, clubs and players, football actually provides its fans with a great deal of entertainment, whether it is being show casting a player coming from the dark to becoming one of the greatest players, take Mohammed Salah as the perfect reference. Sadly, it can also be the contrary, where we see great players flopping due to unfortunate happenings, take the case of Eden Hazard who seemingly left Chelsea for Real Madrid as a dream but with injuries acting as a backlash to the amazing start to his career.

Does football actually make people learn or does it benefit them?

“I learned all about life with a ball at my feet” – Ronaldinho

“You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.” – Lionel Messi

As stated by those legends themselves, soccer propagates a lot about life, teaches how to surpass obstacles and at the same time it teaches kids skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and decision making, that they'll be able to apply to all aspects of their life. It also helps them fight depression in some cases, learn about the ups and downs of life, anticipate opportunities and how to work with their peers to solve problems. Furthermore, not only does it make people more social but also helps them into evolving leadership adroitness. As such, it promotes along the same line a diminish in body fat and improves muscle tone as well as builds strength, flexibility and endurance. Lastly, it indulges happiness in the life of many practicing it and simultaneously it most importantly shows people how to respect each other, along with building a community in which there is no racism.

The only Backlash to soccer may be the major injuries but nevertheless, it can most definitely be prevented when the players do what needs to be done in a correct manner. This involves proper warm-ups before matches and appropriate cool-downs post matches as a well as a regular physical preparation of the body.

Why is football found to be so intriguing?

This sport shows us nearly everything, from players breaking world records and setting new ones to some of them defying the laws of physics while performing for the public. It is just jaw- dropping. Take as example, Roberto Carlos who on the 3rd June 1997 scored a mesmerising free-kick from a long way out against France’s team while defying some laws of physics during the process. The strike left goalkeeper Fabien Barthez perplexed, as the ball apparently was heading well wide of the target and into the crowd. However, it swerved back, glanced the inside edge of the post, and stopped only when it hit the net. When the famous free kick happened, physicists from all around the world were baffled by the images. That goal was the catalyst for lots of studies and analysis about aerodynamics and the ball's curve that day at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon. Another thing that makes it crazy is when players scores tons of goal, being Lionel Messi who scored 91 goals in a calendar year. Making this achievement more unbelievable is that he did it only in 69 games. Besides, that man has won 7 ballon d’or up till now along with 6 golden boots followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with 5 ballon d’or and 4 golden boots. There are many more realizations as such but the question remains, will some of those world records ever be broken again?

“The secret is to believe in your dreams; in your potential that you can be like your star, keep searching, keep believing and don’t lose faith in yourself.” – Neymar stated. Along with your studies, go play some football along with your friends. It would only be beneficial to yourself and who knows, maybe the rise of a star! By Tahir Jaumeer