Q: What is street football?

People who have played football with their mates in the neighborhood would know what I am talking about. The barefoot battles, the torn-ball tussles, the alley walls as goals, the bruised knees and more importantly, the doggedness, the never-give-up attitude and the invincible spirit. This is street football, in every sense of the word.

Q: Who are/were some famous stars, who started off as street footballers?

Wayne Rooney
Cristiano Ronaldo
Pele
Diego Maradona
Giorgio Chiellini
Luis Suarez
Neymar Jr.
Hulk
Paolo Maldini
Dani Alves
Eusebio
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, etc.

Q: What qualities do street footballers exhibit?

Hard work
Persistence in pressing
Strong tackling
Determination to win
Small-space creativity
Fighter mentality, and so on.

Q: Countries famous for street football

Brazil
Uruguay
Italy
England
Argentina
Portugal, etc.

Q: Street footballers are becoming a rare commodity. Why?

Most of the up-and-coming footballers who are sort of born into the game are scooped up early by local clubs and scouts worldwide. They start playing trials for multiple clubs right from the U-7 stage up until the U-19 stage, when they eventually decide on the club of their choice, under a professional contract. Because they start representing clubs right from a young age, the clubs’ preferred and quite obvious choice would be that their players play for them, and not on the streets without proper guidance or coaching. This is the main reason behind why street footballers are sadly becoming a rare commodity.

Q: Examples of up-and-coming footballers, who exhibit street football qualities:

Erling Haaland
Vinicius Jr.
Richarlison
Matthijs De Ligt
Jack Grealish
Tyrone Mings, etc.

Q: Street football or Club football?

I personally feel, however good a club is at training youngsters in football, the football they learn on the streets is what is going to distinguish them from others. The game needs more fighters, who would do anything to win and never give up in any situation. Passion for the game should never be allowed to die in youth.