Soccer: The World's Greatest Sport

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“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

- Bill Shankley (Khurana)

The passion around the world when it comes to the game of soccer is immeasurable. Known as football in all other nations except Canada and the United States, it is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. It is a game played by millions all across the world and in many countries, such as Brazil, soccer contributes to nationalism. Every four years it brings numerous nations together. This coming together, during what is known as the World Cup, is the most viewed sporting event across the globe. Soccer is a sport that has survived many generations, and through its survival it has evolved into a sport that is easily accessible and positively impacts nations that play it, making it the greatest sport in the world.

Soccer’s popularity is made evident by its ability to withstand the test of time. Dating back to the second and third centuries BC, there is evidence of an exercise done by the Chinese in which a leather ball was kicked into a small opening (FIFA), a practice fundamentally relative to the game of soccer. There were also other variations played during the time of the Roman Empire that closely resembled modern soccer. These earlier entities still differed from contemporary soccer, but nonetheless followed the same basic principle: a game that would be played with the feet rather than the hands. Games very similar to soccer slowly evolved in England, yet they all varied in their rules and regulations. Some of them were very violent, with one variation’s rule book stating that the ball could be taken from its possessor in any matt...

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...t on different nations as well as a rich history that has endured a large period of time, contribute to soccer being the most incredible sport of our era. In most countries around the world, soccer is very important to its people. Its ability to unite a nation is powerful and should be harnessed in an advantageous manner. In a world filled with war and economic distress, one can only hope that the upcoming World Cup can put all these problems on hold. Even if it is only temporary.

Works Cited

Cahill, Peter. "World Cup Unites Divided Ivory Coast." MSNBC.com. 14 June 2006. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.

"FIFA.com - History of Football - The Origins." FIFA.com. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.

Gibson, Owen. "England's World Cup Qualification to Benefit Economy." Guardian.co.uk. 10 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.

Khurana, Simran. "Soccer Quotes." Quotes Quotations. Web. 24 Mar. 2010.

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