This is evident in various industries such as movies, gaming, online casino and music among others, thus portraying its widespread popularity.
Football and the Film Industry
Football has had a great impact on the film industry with many movies depicting it and its vibrant spirit. One film in particular that expresses this is Bend It Like Beckham which tells the story of a young girl who wants to play football and face the cultural barriers that come her way. It is not only entertaining but also motivational, thus becoming one of the best films in the sports genre.
Another worthy of mention is Goal!, which illustrates the life of Santiago Muñez, a young Mexican footballer who is presented with the opportunity to play for a European team. These films focus on the passion and the dreams that are associated with football and that way engage the viewers in the football culture.
Football in the Gaming Industry
The gaming industry has adopted football as the most popular sport and has developed various games for the fans and players. The FIFA video game series is one of the most famous and enduring football simulation games in the market developed by EA Sports. It enables the players to manage their favourite teams and players from home whilst giving the sense of being on the actual field.
Football themed slot games like Football Streak and Virtual Football Cup that are available on platforms like Rizk have also become popular. These games are a mix of football and gambling where one can get the best of both worlds. It targets both football lovers and online casino players, thus proving that football has a wide range of applications in the gaming industry.
Football's Influence on Music
Football has also influenced the music industry with many songs and anthems having been written specifically about the sport. Three Lions, which has the famous refrain It’s coming home, has become the anthem for the English football team, particularly during championships. This song is the anthem of the fans and represents their hopes and dreams, it became the symbol of national pride and football spirit.
Another example is the song Waka Waka by Shakira which was the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It focused the whole world on the tournament and gained global popularity as a symbol of the unity and joy experienced in football. Not only do these songs entertain, but they also unite fans, thus enriching the experience of following the sport.
Football and Television Shows
The effects of football can also be seen in television with so many shows and programs based on it. Ted Lasso for instance, is a comedy-drama show that revolves around the sport with the potential to be loved and enjoyed by everyone. It portrays the story of an American football coach who was brought in to manage the English soccer team.
Other shows such as Footballers’ Wives take the viewer behind the scenes of the footballers’ lives and focus on the spouses and partners of the players. These shows are part of the football culture and help in the depiction of football in society and its effects on it.