Football has conquered the world, and its popularity continues to grow. But this discipline had not been very previously known. So what are the main drivers of the discipline?
The rules of soccer, being simple to all, were at the origin of its expansion. The goals scarcity and no time-outs are also driving this sport. The unpredictability of the goals also makes this sport unique. Also, the game rules are straightforward to understand.
Football is accessible to all
Football continues to grow in popularity in many countries where rugby or cricket is dominated, starting to adopt football as their main sport.
This discipline is an integral part of the culture. Fans feel totally frustrated if their team loses an important match. Football has evolved as a game for the local community, visible in several aspects, including the play style. It has also caused various rivalries that enhance the sport’s entertainment value.
Popularity of football in France
Football in France is the most popular sport and the practice of which is the most widespread. Imported from England at the end of the 19th century under association football, the discipline first spread to the Paris region and the country’s north (notably the North and Normandy, where the first regional clubs were created). The south is won over by football’s competitor, rugby.
The democratization of football was fully completed in the 1980s in France. We have witnessed a hyper mediatization of this sport, as well as more and more sponsorship by brands, which sought to benefit from this visibility. But what ended up winning all hearts is that France has become a master in this sport.
The proof came with two European coronations (1984 and 2000), as well as the title of World Champion (1998 and 2018). If the current team had managed to secure the European title this year, they would have held the two most important titles for a second time.
Top French football players
France has consistently produced exceptional players. From Just Fontaine to Zidane, each era has had its share of great players via Platini.
Zinedine Zidane. Number 1 in our ranking of the best French players is the legendary Zinedine Zidane. With technical mastery and exceptional ball touch, he even gives the impression of making others better. He won the 1998 World Cup by scoring 2 goals in the final and the Euro 2 years later. But Zidane reached the peak of his art at the 2006 World Cup.
Michael Platini. Michel Platini is one of the best players of all time. Trained in Nancy, he stayed there for 7 seasons and won a Coupe de France before being transferred to Saint-Étienne. With the greens, his record is mixed, but he is still the champion of France in 1981.
The story of Michel Platini is inseparable from that of the France team. Endowed with incredible playing qualities during his matches, Platoche won the 1984 European Championship by scoring 9 goals.
Raymond Kopa. Raymond Kopa is a French player born in Noeux-les-Mines in 1931. Son of Polish immigrants, Kopa began his professional career in Angers. The attacking midfielder then made the happiness of the Reims stadium, with which he won four French championship titles.
During his stay at Real Madrid between 1956 and 1959, Raymond Kopa won his most outstanding European titles, with three victories in the Champions League. He became one of the best-attacking midfielders of all time.
Thierry Henry. With 51 goals in 123 games, Thierry Henry holds the record for the number of goals in the French team. He is also the second most-capped player behind Lilian Thuram and the only French player to have participated in the World Cup 4 times.
Thierry Henry is the best French striker of the last 30 years. Thanks to his speed and finishing qualities, he could make a place for himself in all the teams where he played. “Titi” Henry is also in the top 10 best scorers in the history of the Euro. He also finished top French scorer at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.