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Sports and competition are always synonymous with each other, but when it comes to the question of who reigns supreme in the world of sports, soccer has and will always be the answer. Cynics have begged to disagree, but there are numbers to prove soccer's undying power. For one, the FIFA World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world generating over $6.1 billion in revenue in 2018 alone, not including television rights sales and sponsorship deals.
In Europe, soccer's biggest market, professional soccer had a market value of $25.5bn for the 2016-2017 season and the UEFA Champions League earned over $2 billion for the same season. The "Big Five" or the Spanish La Liga, English Premier League, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga and Ligue 1 in France is predicted to earn more than €17bn for its 2018-2019 season.
But more than the money, soccer has become a way of life for many people around the world, offering them a form of escape from the hustle and giving them the adrenaline rush that breaks the monotony of daily life.
Soccer has reached almost every corner of the globe
Sporting events like the NBA or Super Bowl may attract a lot of spectators, but none of them inspires real national pride more than soccer. In 2014 alone, more than 3.2 billion viewers from every corner of the world watched the FIFA World Cup, and other events like the European Cup and the World Cup are also covered on television for many people to see. International competition is a huge part of soccer and it doesn't have limitations to which countries or teams can join them, as long as they're capable. In fact, smaller, less recognised countries have taken the international stage in soccer and some of the best soccer players came from them.
Soccer is a game for everyone
In a survey, over 265 million people from all walks of life play soccer, which is 4% of the entire world's population. Soccer has captured the hearts of many sports enthusiasts around the world because it is easy and relatively cheap to play. All you need is a soccer ball and a few teammates, and you're good to go. Stories of how some of the greatest soccer players came from poor beginnings have also stirred the passion of young people who love the sport but don't have the money to train.
Soccer was the game that sporting legend Pele played
Pele is easily one of the most popular athletes in the world and the greatest soccer player of all time. But more than his successful career, many have been inspired by his humble beginnings when he played barefoot because he couldn't afford to buy soccer shoes. But his passion and skills led him to score 1,283 goals and three World Cup championships, the only player to accomplish such feats. Pele has inspired so many young players around the world to pursue a career in soccer, and those who don't play have developed a strong relationship with the sport, flocking stadiums, gathering around televisions and even dabbling in sports betting for every important match.
Soccer knows no age
When Pele won his first World Cup championship, he was only 17, and he is still the youngest player to win that title in the history of soccer. The sport knows no age limit and it is open for everyone who knows how to play it. In fact, you will see some of the top leagues today with players as young as 16 and as old as 40, and they are still kicking that ball and running around like they were at their prime. Some organisations even allow younger kids to train with them as long as they see potential.
Soccer has no breaks or off-seasons
One of the best things about soccer is that it happens all year round. Unlike other sports where there are breaks and off-seasons, you will find a tournament in Europe or other countries throughout the year. So, if you're a big soccer fan, you'll never have to wait to enjoy a good game on your television or even place a bet on your favourite team.
The immense popularity of soccer sets it apart from any other sport in the world that has affected more than just sports. Grudges have been put aside, feuds have been forgiven and countries have joined together, all for the love of soccer. In a world where people have become so focused on themselves, soccer shows us that it's always good to work together to reach a single goal.
