Futsal a Launching Point for Many Soccer Stars
Futsal has been a beloved sport in South America for nearly a century. For decades, this sport has also been gaining popularity in Europe, North America, and elsewhere around the world. FIFA estimates millions now play the game globally. Several soccer legends credit their early days playing futsal with their success on the outdoor pitch today.
Since Brazil was one of the early stomping grounds for futsal, it should come as no surprise that so many of the noted former futsalers who are now fubol legends are Brazilian.
In the Pelé biopic Birth of a Legend the soccer hero is seen playing futsal against adults as a young teenager. He began playing futsal for a local team growing up in São Paolo at 14 years old and eventually became their top scorer. He’s said of futsal that it “requires you to think and play fast. It makes everything easier when you later switch to football.”
Ronaldo, who ranks second for most goals scored (15) among FIFA World Cup players, started futsal at age 12. He’s said, “I needed extremely good feet, because you're always attempting to beat opponents in the minimum of space. I loved the challenge of playing on such a small pitch.”
Brazil’s Kaka has not only played futsal, but now coaches the game in Kazakhstan. In 2018 he was named head coach of the country’s national team. Ronaldinho still plays today — check it out!
“It is a cast-iron certainty that the fertile ground provided by futsal will produce a host of the biggest names of tomorrow.” — FIFA
Futsal is Worldwide
Other major countries for futsal include Argentina (the country holds the title as current FIFA World Cup Champions), which has given us talented Lionel Messi. “As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tremendous fun, and it really helped me become who I am today," the FIFA World Player of the Year said of the five-a-side game.
Another famous Argentinian with futsal background? Maradona. You can see footage of his futsal prowess in YouTube videos.
Then, there’s that other FIFA World Player of the Year from Portugal — Cristiano Ronaldo. He has said he honed his abilities in futsal. “During my childhood in Portugal, all we played was futsal…The small playing area helped me improve my close control, and whenever I played futsal I felt free. If it wasn't for futsal, I wouldn't be the player I am today.”
Spain’s Xavi, a world and European champ, has said of futsal, “In futsal, you see whether a player is really talented. In normal football you don't necessarily identify talent as easily because it's so much more physical. But with futsal, you notice the small details in quality, class and tactical understanding."
German midfielder Lewis Holtby, who plays now for the Blackburn Rovers, has also spoken about the benefits of futsal. “Young players in particular can learn a huge amount from futsal," he has said. "The heavy ball means it’s in play for longer. Passing moves and interchanges more often end with a goalscoring chance."
Yet don’t let the words of these many soccer stars confuse you about the similarities between futsal and the outdoor game. They are not the same. FC Barcelona’s Iniesta for one says the two sports “have a lot in common” sharing “the same essence of mastering the ball, combining and making quick decisions.” Yet, he adds “there are different tactics and moves.” He said switching back from soccer to futsal would not be easy. “It would take some time to adjust.” After all, though he played futsal until he was eight, he “always wanted to be a footballer.”
Whether football or futsal is your sport of choice, you can bet sporting success is going to rest on skill development. Join us at Charlotte Futsal. Our Winter Training is open now for registration.