The game of soccer, with current rules, was invented in 1863 by England, which occupied around 25% of the world’s land at one time; so English workers spread football to various areas of the world, especially to South America (the flag-bearer of football today).
Reason 2: It needs no fancy equipment or preparation.
Because it didn’t take much to play, the workers in England began using it as a way to unwind after tiring days at factories; this led to the game’s spread from upper class to all strata.
Reason 3: Out of all sports codified by England, football is the oldest professional sport, i.e. people could earn money by playing it.
Reason 4: The human mind loves ‘hero’s journey stories.
From Pele to Maradona to Messi to Ronaldo, football is full of rags-to-riches stories, where the hero meets an enabler (football) that helps him achieve the unthinkable.
Reason 5: Money.
9 out of the top 15 professional sports leagues (by revenue) are football leagues; the money enables the football to create innumerable rags-to-riches stories.
So many rich leagues also make football a good career decision for young aspirants.
Reason 6: Nature versus nurture.
The average male height worldwide is 5’7”; the average height of a footballer is 5’9”; so one doesn’t have to be physically ‘gifted’ to be a footballer.
In most other team sports, with a few exceptions, height has a huge bearing on being a success; e.g. in basketball, every inch above 5’9” doubles a player’s odds of making it to the NBA.
Reason 7: Comparatively simpler scoring rules.
‘Get the ball in the net without it touching your hand’ versus 1-2-3-4-6-by-leg-by (cricket), 1-2-3 point (basketball), deuce, match point, game-point, advantage (Tennis); simplicity makes it easier for anyone to pick up.
