Has the ‘Beautiful Game’ Lost its flair?
It was a Saturday afternoon. I sat back on my couch watching the big game— Manchester United vs Liverpool, at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC. For those unaware, Anfield is known for its passionate fan base, who create a highly charged and intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. So naturally, the first thing I expected was a surge in decibels. Guess what? There was nothing of the sort!
I watched the game for half an hour and resonated with the fans. There was nothing very exciting or magical happening on the field. So, I just skipped to the highlights at the end of the game, if they were worth watching. This made me think, “Has my favourite game just become a rut now?”
Let’s look back a generation or two. You had players like Zidane, Henry, Ronaldinho, Iniesta, Kaka- I could go on, but you get the picture. All these world-class players with big personalities were playing at the same time. Football was synonymous with skilful dribbling, precise passing, and jaw-dropping goals. The field was a canvas where these artists, armed with technique and finesse, painted masterpieces. Name one player who could dribble past an entire team like Leo Messi did back in 2007 against Getafe. Just one. The answer is- none. I sometimes ask myself, was it just nostalgia? Not really. Turns out that it’s a completely different game now.
Football has now become more of a game that prioritizes fitness, stamina, and physicality over technical quality. Over the last decade or so, I think most of the players we see can best be described as athletes, rather than footballers. You see a ton of much improved physical characteristics and ability but less technical proficiency and excellence — even in many of the top teams. The pitch is now a battleground where speed, stamina, and strength are as crucial as a well-executed nutmeg.
There’s no denying the appeal of watching athletes push the boundaries of human capability. The speed of the modern game is breathtaking, and the level of fitness required is a testament to the dedication of players. The question we must grapple with is whether this evolution is a necessary and natural progression or a deviation from the essence of the sport. Are we sacrificing the artistry of the game at the altar of physicality?
From a technical point of view, the essence of the game has vanished because the teams have used technology to their advantage. Coaches now know all possible tactics that their opposition team likes to play with and have a great amount of data to analyze. Teams can’t just use one style of play now. Even if a tactician comes up with something new, it might just work until the other teams figure out their strategy eventually. So, the only way teams can get the upper hand over the other is if their players are physically better, i.e. faster, stronger and more flexible; along with having the ability to improvise the tactics. The game has become much more demanding. A statistic shows that in the English Premier League, players are running 37% more than they were just 6 years ago.
There’s also another side to this. Football has become more of a business nowadays. For instance, the elite UEFA Champions League is adding more teams to the tournament. Why? Well, more teams means more games and more games means more revenue. So, what’s happening is that to earn more money, the fixture schedule is becoming more congested with every passing year. Now players must play 95 minutes of football every 3 days. All of this requires a player to have an immense fitness level to stay on track. So naturally, they will emphasize more on athleticism rather than technical quality.
This shift towards athleticism didn’t go unnoticed. As we marvel at the breathtaking runs, powerful shots, and Herculean tackles, there’s a growing concern about the toll it’s taking on players’ bodies. Injuries, that were once considered an unfortunate part of the game, have now become frequent, disrupting team strategies and leaving fans holding their breath every time a star player hits the turf. A report states that the 417 players involved in the Qatar World Cup got 225 injuries between November 2022 and December 2023. All this is happening because of the tight schedules these players have to abide by. Many notable managers have publicly spoken out on this issue but to no avail.
In conclusion, the growing emphasis on profit and the packed football schedule are reshaping the sport. Players sacrificing skill for athleticism due to the busy calendar are facing more injuries. It’s high time to reconsider how we prioritize money versus the essence of the game. Striking the right balance is not just about player well-being; it’s about safeguarding the very soul of the beloved sport we cherish.
