Five Of the Biggest Soccer Obsessed Nations In The World
Few sports currently can match up to the universal popularity that soccer, otherwise known as football, has managed to gain. Watched and played by hundreds of millions of people every day in over 200 countries around the world, there are some places where it is no longer just a sport, but a way of life.
Many of these nations also happen to be particularly good at the game, which goes to show how powerful great appreciation and obsession can be.
1. Brazil
The country of Brazil may lack the great wealth in leagues and competitions that places like Europe enjoy. Nevertheless, it is known to be, perhaps, the most soccer-obsessed country and nation on the planet. Children grow up worshipping their idols such as Pele, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Zico, and Rivaldo, to name just a few. Furthermore, Brazilians hold immense pride in the fact that they have won the international FIFA World Cup more times than any other country. A total of five victories, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
2. Italy
Italy, which is usually most famous for its fine cuisine and fancy sports cars, amongst other things, is also, however, well-known to be one of the biggest soccer-crazy nations in the world. Not only are their clubs amongst the most highly successful in Europe, but they are also the second biggest holder of World Cups, winning four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006.
3. Germany
Those who are not familiar with world soccer might not picture Germany as being the highly successful soccer-obsessed nation that it is. This is true in terms of its clubs and leagues, as well as coming third in the number of World Cup victories, with three wins in 1974, 1990, and 2014.
4. France
France is amongst a group of 12 others to have won the World Cup twice, being in 1998 and 2018. Its many clubs though have also had success in all the major European soccer leagues. Furthermore, a long line of highly successful players has come out of France, such as Zidane, Platini, Henry, Trezeguet, and many, many more.
5. Spain
Spain, though only winning the World Cup once in 2010, is nevertheless renowned for being home to some of the most successful clubs in Europe, and perhaps all history. This includes Real Madrid, Barcelona Spain, Valencia, and many others that bettors love to back when wagering on sport on a real money casino Android app. Spain is also known for having a host of its own major soccer leagues, as well as producing some of the sport’s greatest players, such as Iniesta, Ramos, Silva, Xavi, Pedro, Alonso, etc, in a long and ever-growing list.
The Other Soccer Nations
Other worthy mentions include Columbia, Argentina, Netherlands, Portugal, and much of Europe. Nowadays, virtually the entire continents of South America and Africa are also well-immersed in the soccer bug. Gradually more and more of the world, including places like the US, Canada, and Japan, have been feeling it too. Overall, it appears highly infectious. Good thing it’s just sport though, or we’d all be truly done for.