Introduction
Football has become popular as the world’s favorite game, boasting a rich history of more than 100 years. It is a team sport and everyone, from the coaches to the actual footballers; everyone has equal importance and stakes in the game. There are two distinct forms of football played today; British and American. American football is a combination of rugby and soccer, and is less popular. The British form of football is scrutinized in this article, and it’s about footballers who use their feet and legs for kicking purposes only.
History
Football’s first governing body was established in 1863 in England, and was called the Football Association. Even though, playing a ball seems more natural using hands, the aberration incorporating the use of feet and legs, is extremely well-liked. Football was initially an extensive military exercise in the second BC in China. There have been several variations of the current football played in England mostly, which originated from Japan and mainly Greece. The Greek game titled “Episkyros” was played out by two teams on a rectangular field marked by boundary lines and a centre line. The objective was to get the ball over the opposition's boundary lines and as players passed it between themselves and tackling was preferred. This was brought into England and other countries such as USA and Spain around 700-800 years ago, where it gained popularity and became the game of the masses that it is known as today.
Features
The players of this game are as significant as the game itself. Footballers are renowned superstars, and one scoring or missing of a goal can either make or break their lives. Their careers are built up solely on how they perform in matches round the year. The more popular the footballer, the more chances of him getting signed by a prominent team. Well-known teams such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool boast good quality footballers, which include Ronaldo, Rooney, Torres and Owen to name a few. These players have long histories of scoring the largest number of goals, winning tournaments and leagues. The pressure of a game with worldwide fan following is intense. Millions of people come out to stadiums to witness live the gripping actions of the matches. Hence, footballers are under extreme pressure to live up to their fans and coaches expectations. Motivation and relentless drive towards reaching the peak of their careers, like plausible players including David Beckham is also found in abundance. Footballers don’t only play for themselves, but for their team and nation. A collective team effort is obviously necessary to score a win.
Tips and Comments
People must realize that main stream football is not a piece of cake. Footballers must go through extensive training regimes and practice to maintain their outlook and player tactics. They need to be calm and not break under pressure; instead the millions seated should bring an adrenaline rush contributing positively in the match. Footballers must undertake caution while playing to minimize injuries as that can sometimes put permanent or long duration breaks on their careers. Ideally, players must not aim for recognition and popularity, but must play passionately and stay true to the sport.
