Why We Love Soccer, an opinion piece by Muhammad Raza

 Why We Love Soccer, an opinion piece by Muhammad Raza

I, along with an innumerable amount of people, love the beautiful game of soccer. Many play the sport for their school or local club, constantly follow their favorite teams’ matches, and have “for you” pages on their social media platforms cluttered with short-form videos about the latest news in the soccer world. But what’s so special about kicking a ball into a net that entrances millions upon millions of people worldwide?

First of all, it’s the simplicity of the game that brings many towards it. You don’t need fancy shoes, a match-grade ball, or a full-length pitch to enjoy soccer. All of these things can be substituted with cheaper and more accessible counterparts. Additionally, you can play soccer just about anywhere: in a neighbor’s backyard, a basketball court, or inside your home (as long as you don’t ruin the furniture of course). These facts, along with the objective of the game being remarkably clear and direct (just put the ball in the net using only your feet), mean that almost anyone, regardless of their situation, can play and enjoy this lovely game

The second reason why soccer is beloved by a myriad of people worldwide is that it is a game that is enjoyable for people of all skill levels. Soccer does not require you to develop a basic level of technique, game sense, awareness, or conditioning, to play because no matter an individual’s skill level, they can still enjoy the game just like anyone else. You’ll see under-6 players who can barely run and experienced players who play as if the ball is an extension of their foot all smiling and laughing while they enjoy this simple game. 

The last reason I believe why soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world is that it's more than just a hobby and more than just a way to spend time with your friends because it is an emotion. A soccer game has highs and lows, euphoric moments and plays that make you jump and scream with joy, suspenseful moments that spellbind you to the TV, dire situations when playing that make you want to push yourself to your absolute limits, depressing losses that make you cry, crazy plays that leave you in awe, and much more. Soccer is not merely just a game for many people: it is a passion, it represents the beauty of life, and it is sometimes the only thing that keeps you going in a society that too often seems to put you down.