The most successful footballers: their records and successes

Football cannot be reduced to a single format; the game on the pitch to the sound of the referee’s whistle is only a small part of this world. There are more than a dozen types of football, and each has its own rules, peculiarities and even its own atmosphere. Let’s take a closer look at the popular formats and tell you how they differ and what makes them so special.

An overview of the types of football

Classic football, futsal, beach or American football – each type of game deserves its own consideration.

Classic football

Classic football is the most popular and best-known sport. But there are many interesting things hidden even in its standard rules. The format has its origins in the XIX century in England, when the first official football rules were drawn up. They include a strict number of players – 11 on the field, a standard pitch 100-110 metres long and 64-75 metres wide, the goal – 7.32 metres wide and 2.44 metres high. Matches last 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each. The concept of offside is important and adds strategic depth to the game.

Differences to other formats

The classic format is characterised by longer games and the use of the entire pitch. The emphasis here is on physical preparation, tactics and teamwork. Another difference is the use of hard turf and larger goals, which makes the games more spectacular.

Characteristics of classic football:

1. Number of players: the game consists of 11 players on each side, including the goalkeeper.
2. Type of surface: The pitch is covered with natural or artificial grass, which ensures that the ball glides evenly.
3. Goal dimensions: 7.32 metres wide and 2.44 metres high.
4. Tactical schemes: The teams use different tactical schemes (e.g. 4-4-2 or 3-5-2) that allow them to react flexibly to their opponents.

Worldwide popularity and championships

Classic football is one of the most popular sports in the world. There are annual tournaments such as the World Cup (e.g. the FIFA World Cup, which takes place every four years), the UEFA Champions League, in which the best teams in Europe such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool take part, and the national cups: the FA Cup (Football Cup) and the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey). These tournaments attract millions of spectators all over the world. Each match becomes an event that reflects real passion and competitive spirit. Most of the world’s major stadiums, such as Wembley Stadium in London, the San Siro Stadium in Milan and the Stade de France in Paris, are designed to host matches in the classic format.

Popularity of football in Russia

An important part of cultural identity. From its beginnings in the early 20th century until the Soviet era, football was a popular sport. In the post-Soviet era, Russian ball sports have continued to grow, with the national team achieving success at the 2018 World Cup. Clubs such as Zenit, Spartak and CSKA continue to thrill their fans on the international stage. The development of youth academies that train future stars is also important.

Beach

Beach football embodies the spirit of summer holidays, the free atmosphere and sporting enthusiasm. The history of the emergence of different types of football begins with beach football in the 1990s, when athletes began to organise informal tournaments on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Over time, this initiative developed into an international discipline with its own rules and championships.

Rules and characteristics of the game

The beach football pitch is much smaller than that of traditional football – 35-37 metres long and 26-28 metres wide. In this game, there are 5 players on each side, including the goalkeeper. The surface is made of sand, which increases the physical strain on the players and makes the game more dynamic.

Characteristics of beach football:

1. Type of ball: lighter and softer, making it easier to control and favouring acrobatic shots.
2. Duration of the game: The game consists of three periods of 12 minutes each, which keeps the pace of the game high.
3. Emphasis on technique: Ball handling and acrobatic techniques play an important role, as it is more difficult to develop high speed on sand.

American football

American football and its variants are an integral part of sports culture in the United States. Here, the format has changed and taken on completely different characteristics.

Types of football in America

Classic football, Canadian football and American football, which has developed into a sport in its own right. The main difference to the American format is the shape of the pitch, which is more like a rectangle with a length of 120 yards (approx. 110 metres). The game involves 11 players and the aim is to get the ball into the opponent’s end zone.

Differences to rugby

What are the differences between football and rugby? Firstly, the shape of the ball and the rules. American football uses an oval ball that can be thrown or carried in the hands. Contact is harder here, protective helmets and special equipment are used. In contrast to rugby, where the main focus is on the quick movement of the ball, American football involves more complex tactical schemes.

History of popularity

The popularity of this sport in America is linked to the development of university leagues and the culture of team sports, which symbolises the spirit of competition and unity. The National Football League (NFL) is the largest professional American football league and attracts millions of viewers each year to the Super Bowl, the country’s premier sporting event.

Conclusion

You can try your hand at any type of football. Whether it’s the passion of the big championships or the cosy atmosphere of a sandy beach, there’s something for everyone. The variety is what makes the sport so interesting and attractive.

In the world of football, the value of players has long been a topic of discussion, debate and impressive sums of money. The most expensive footballers are symbols of an era, icons who set the rules of the game on and off the pitch. How and why has their value reached astronomical proportions? You’ll find the answers in this article. We delve into the world of transfer records and tell you whose names have become legends, and not just because of their skills.

Erling Holand – the golden boy of football

Erling Holand is the embodiment of strength, speed and athletic flair. He is not called a goal machine for nothing: His physicality and technique allow him to dominate the pitch. One of the most important factors in his valuable contribution is his speed – Holand is capable of travelling at up to 36 km/h. This ability makes him one of the fastest players in the world. In games for Manchester City, Holand displays the perfect combination of power and precision. He is a thunderstorm for opposing defences and remains one of the players with the highest transfer value on the world market: around 180 million euros (over 18 billion roubles), and rightly so.

Reasons for the high price

His young age (23), his incredible performances and his ability to adapt to different styles of play have made him the most expensive footballer of his generation. The demand for top strikers is always high, but Holland in particular is an almost priceless asset with his unique skills, such as his mastery of the attacking end and the high game. His contract at Manchester City also includes bonuses for goals and tournament victories. This incentivises the athlete to constantly improve his performance. These factors illustrate how the value of a footballer at this level comes about and why the demand for him is so high.

Achievements and prospects

Since making his debut for top European clubs, Holand has amassed an impressive list of achievements: Top scorer in the Bundesliga, winner of the England Player of the Year title, Championship and Champions League victories. Erling’s statistics are impressive – on average he scores one goal per game, and these figures confirm his status as one of the most expensive footballers in the world. His pursuit of excellence and work on himself has kept him at the top of the game and attracted the attention of top clubs.

Kylian Mbappe – the art of being expensive

Kylian Mbappe is the quintessence of French football. Elegance, speed and unpredictability. His unique skills on the pitch, including incredible spurts of up to 38 km/h and a delicate dribbling technique, have made him a TOP footballer in the world rankings in terms of value. Mbappe not only controls the ball, but also utilises every opportunity to create dangerous chances. In Paris Saint-Germain matches, he has shown that he can adapt to any style of play.

Popularity and market price

Mbappe is not only known for his footballing talents, but also for his active role off the pitch. His popularity is growing due to marketing contracts with brands such as Nike and Hublot. The advertising contracts have a direct impact on the market for footballers and increase the price of the athlete. His transfer value is estimated at around 200 million euros (more than 20 billion roubles). Mbappe is not only the face of his club, but of French football as a whole.

Key achievements and contributions to football

Kylian Mbappe became world champion at the age of just 19, setting a unique record in the process. Since then, he has continued to win new trophies: Wins in Ligue 1, the French Cup and the European Super Cup. His contribution to the development of the game cannot be overlooked, and his successes inevitably influence his position in the ranking of the most expensive footballers.

Vinicius Júnior is a Brazilian diamond

Vinicius Júnior is a young Brazilian talent who is rightly regarded as one of the brightest stars in world football. His style of play is reminiscent of the best traditions of the Brazilian school – dribbling, technique, spontaneity and flamboyance on the pitch. He is young and charismatic and is confidently one of the best-paid footballers. Vinicius has repeatedly shown that his talent for improvisation and his passion for the game can turn the tide at any moment.

Why is his transfer worth millions?

Vinicius Júnior is worth 150 million euros (around 15 billion roubles) on the transfer market. This figure is explained not only by his talent, but also by his potential to become a world-class leader. Footballers with the highest value, like Vinicius, have the unique ability to change the outcome of games, and this quality is expensive on the market.

The road to success and the achievements

Vinicius started his journey at Flamengo and signed for Real Madrid at the age of 18. Since then, he has developed into one of the team’s most important players, winning the Champions League and La Liga titles. The road to Europe is a story of perseverance, talent and success.

Jude Bellingham is a rising star of world football

Jude Bellingham is one of the most expensive players in football. The British talent began his career at Birmingham City and was the youngest player in the club’s history. His career developed rapidly, and at the age of 17 he moved to Borussia Dortmund, where he immediately became a key player. Today, he is considered one of the most expensive footballers in the world, a status he has earned thanks to his perseverance and unique playing qualities.

Reasons for his popularity and demand for him

Jude Bellingham is a versatile midfielder who combines his vision on the pitch, his intercepting qualities and his excellent attacking skills. He is estimated to be worth 120 million euros (around 12 billion roubles). He is so highly valued on the player market because of his versatility and ability to adapt to any playing scheme.

Achievements and future plans

Jude has already managed to prove himself in the Champions League and in the England national team, establishing himself as one of the best young players in the world. He continues to develop and his future career promises to be a bright one.

Robert Lewandowski is a veteran who never ceases to surprise

Robert Lewandowski is synonymous with stability and professionalism and is considered one of the most expensive footballers for good reason. He has been one of the most successful strikers in the world for many years. Even at the age of 35, he is still one of the best-paid sportsmen. His leadership qualities, his ability to finish off attacks and his ability to lead the team forward make him a key player for Barcelona.

Factors that influence his value

Despite his age, Lewandowski is still one of the best-paid players due to his physical attributes and unrivalled experience. His contracts not only include a solid salary (around 2 billion roubles per year), but also numerous performance bonuses and endorsement deals. Robert is a prime example of a professional who stays fit and is always ready for new challenges.

Achievements and contribution to football

Robert Lewandowski has won many titles: Champions League, German and Spanish championships, the title of top scorer of the season. His record for the number of goals scored in the Bundesliga in one season will serve as a benchmark for the next generation of strikers for a long time to come.

Conclusion

The most expensive footballers do not receive such astronomical salaries and transfer values for nothing. Their successes are the result of years of hard work, outstanding skills and a constant quest for excellence. They shape football not only as players, but also as personalities who set new standards and inspire millions. And the greater their achievements, the more they are worth.