Football, or as they call it in the United States, soccer, is the most popular sport in the world. If you play soccer, you know the feeling of being on the field is like no other. The excitement of winning a tournament, the sadness of losing a game, the anger of missing a goal, the love and support of your team and the trust of your coach. For 90 minutes you feel everything all at once...
I played soccer for 8 years, and I must say it gave me some of the best memories of my life. However, there are some things soccer players struggle with, and if you play soccer, I am sure you’ll relate to all of them.
1. Tan lines
Because you’ll have horrible tan lines on your arms and legs that will never disappear.
2. Always having bruised legs
I have had bruises the size of a football, no kidding. But honestly, I believe soccer players wear bruises with pride. It is a way of saying “I gave a 110% in that game, and was worth every single bruise I have”.
3. When you have conditioning and realize how out of shape you are after the holidays
Conditioning day was the worst day. Specially after vacations, when running for 10 minutes already made you feel like throwing up.
4. You never wanted to be the team that had to wear bibs during practice
Ever. Even if your coach told you they had just been sent to the laundry, nobody wanted to wear those stinky bibs.
5. You rarely liked your uniform
Sleeves were too long. The shirt was too big. The shorts were too long. And you probably didn’t like “the new design”.
6. Everybody wanted the same number
But once you had YOUR jersey number, it became your favorite and lucky number.
7. Your shin-guards smelled bad
No matter what you did, you couldn’t get rid of that horrible smell.
8. Having to sit out when you are injured
Is one of the hardest things to do. You feel so impotent and helpless, and the only thing you can do is support your team from the bench.
9. When you have class at the same time your favorite team is playing
Well actually, that’s what laptops and cellphones are for. Shout out to www.rojadirecta.me
10. When people call it “soccer” instead of “football”
It is played with your feet and a ball. Foot-ball. It is as simple as that people.
So even with all these struggles we face everyday, I am sure no soccer player would ever change anything. It is all part of playing this wonderful sport.
A special thank you to all of my teammates and coaches (you know who you are).
