Football - The Beautiful Game

Football. The most watched sport on the planet. What makes this sport so popular?

10. The Discussion:

People usually start watching football because their friends or family do. You feel really good when you discuss about ‘last night’s match’ at school the next day and join in the celebration of the victory of your team or join in cursing the referee for your team’s loss.

9. The Trolls:

Every sport has certain ‘characters’ who make the sport more interesting than it already is. In recent times, after the art of ‘trolling’ began, these ‘characters’ have been glorified even more. Trolls like Mario Balotelli, Sergio Ramos and Pepe make the sport more entertaining and people end up paying more attention to detail while watching matches just to look for opportunities to troll.

8. The Legends:

Football has had so many legends over the years. From the likes of Pele, Diego Maradona , George Best and Eric Cantona to the living legends Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to name a few. These players have been the flag-bearers of the sport and some have glorified the legendary ‘No. 7′ jersey. Managers like the great Sir Alex Ferguson and the ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho add to the popularity of the sport.

7. The Referees:

Every football fan loves to hate referees. You love the referee when he awards your team a free-kick, but you hate him when he awards the other team one by screaming, ‘Dive! Dive’ fruitlessly at the TV screen.

6. The Atmosphere:

Football provides so many thrilling moments. Like the thrill of staying up till 2:30am to watch a UEFA Champions League match or the adrenaline rush you feel when a player steps up to take a penalty that could decide the fate of the match or the awe you feel when a team comes from two goals behind to win it in stoppage time.

5. The Clubs:

Club Football is the most watched form of football and has a huge fan base. The huge rivalry that exist between these clubs has made football what it is today. The famous ‘El Classico’ and the Manchester Derby are some of the most watched and highly anticipated games.

4. The Fans:

The club rivalry is intense but nothing compared to the fans rivalry! Even the best of friends turn out to become the worst of enemies if they support rival football clubs. I remember reading a tweet during last season’s UEFA Champions League final which said, ‘My Father supports Munich while I support Chelsea. It’s getting pretty tense in the room!’

3. The Stadiums:

Stadiums are not only the places where a sport is held, they are battle fields. Places where mud, sweat and tears are shed. Full of contrasting emotions, a stadium has those delighted winning fans, jumping, dancing and singing in joy and on the other side of the pitch, those depressed losing fans, who’ve come all the way just to see their team lose the tie in the dying seconds. From the legendary stadiums like Old Trafford to the beautiful stadiums like the Allianz Arena which lights up in different colors when different teams are playing, stadiums are a team’s pride.

2. The Players:

Football can’t be concluded without talking about the players. They work ever so hard on the field and off it. Their passion, be it for their club, country or just The Beautiful Game, is unmatched. They put it all on the line for their team.

1. The Beautiful Game:

Football has something in it for everyone. That amazing feeling you get when you watch the ball sail over the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands into the open net is what football is all about.

Viva futbol!