Today, soccer is considered the most popular game in the world, being followed by around 3 billion people from across the planet, with many of the most recognised sporting events almost always being related to the game in some way. It’s a game that has somehow become a part of our society on an international level, and we have long been in love with it and what it has to offer us.
Modern soccer, like many other games of today, has its roots in Britain, where it was first popularised and turned into a competitive sport. But the true origins of soccer are much older than many people might realise, and some historians consider it one of the very oldest sports in the world. Here we will take a look at some of the highlights of modern day soccer.
Soccer’s True Origins
Many historians agree that the game of soccer was first played by our ancient ancestors starting around 2500 years ago. Various cultures enjoyed a game similar to soccer, where a ball was kicked by opposing players. There is evidence to show the early forms of soccer were played in most of the world’s ancient cultures, from Greece, Egypt, India, and China all having records of the game. Some of these early versions of soccer weren’t quite as we know it today, with some of them even using sticks to manage the ball, and the ancient Romans played a version that would be closer to rugby than soccer by today’s standards.
Tsu’Chu is a game that was invented in ancient China and is the version that most closely resembles the soccer that we know and love today, where players from different teams would try and kick a ball into a set of goals. It’s believed that it was invented as a form of training for Chinese soldiers, and even today is a great way of staying fit while learning good competitive and racing tips.
Medieval Soccer
From there, the game would evolve and expand across the globe at an astounding rate, and there are countless records of proto-soccer being played in Medieval England. In fact, it was one of the most popular pastimes of the era, but it wouldn’t be until the 9th century where pig skinned balls would be used as part of the game. It wasn’t nearly as popular as it is today, and it was actually banned nation wide a few different times, usually due to social and religious regions.
It’s Modern Evolution
Regardless, soccer remained popular amongst the common man, and by the time the 19th century had come around, we began to see the world’s first professional soccer clubs in England. The Industrial Revolution marked the end of folk soccer as more people moved to the cities, but it eventually gave rise to the game that are familiar with today. As more people joined in and it grew more popular around the country, it didn’t take long for clubs to be formed, and eventually it lead to the formation of large, international events that have remained a favourite ever since.
