Soccer: the king of sports
It has been over a hundred years since FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, was formed in Paris, France, in 1904. This was truly the beginning of organized international play, and they must have gotten it right, because the growing interest , in world football, it’s really amazing.
From its humble beginnings, the game has grown in popularity to become the sports phenomenon it is today. If horse racing is the sport of kings, then soccer is the king of sports! Every four years, a national team is crowned world champion to the delight of its faithful subjects.
Since its creation in 1930, the World Cup has been won, in almost equal measure, by European and South American countries. However, talented players are emerging from other continents, Australia, Africa, Asia and even the United States, which hosted the main tournament in 1994. Surely, it won’t be long before a team from one of these other nations makes it to the top.
Soccer clubs, such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and many others, reflect their host cities and have become household names, far beyond their city limits. The most famous, of the many professional players, are instantly recognizable. The sport has attracted rich and successful men as presidents, with the best players and managers earning earnings comparable to those of pop singers and movie stars.
The popularity of soccer has developed, not only because of the fanatical supporters that flood the turnstiles of the huge stadiums. Large sums of money are paid for live television and other rights. As a result, major games are watched by millions of fans from their armchairs, many of whom subscribe to satellite and related media services. Air travel has become less expensive and more accessible, so fans can fly to support their teams, wherever they play. International soccer stars often sign for clubs outside their home countries and charge massive transfer fees.
There is no doubt that international soccer is a gigantic business. From gate money to media rights, sponsorships and replica team apparel, a sporting colossus has emerged. Children, and adults too, want to wear the colors of their favorite players or clubs. They kick balls on sports fields, parks, vacant lots, and quiet streets. Young people practice and aspire to develop that additional expertise that would catapult them into a life of fame and wealth. Most will go on to achieve other things, but every once in a while, a wonder boy will appear, to dazzle and entertain, with the world at his feet!
