It is definitely a concern for this old timer. Social media and game modes are obvious drivers of this new fandom but I think a deeper layer is also based on the erosion of local talent as building blocks. My club, Liverpool, has a deep rooted culture about it. Born from pain over the last 30-40 years and as recently as a few weeks ago (RIP Diogo 😞). However, last season they started a match for I believe their first time ever, without a single English player, let alone a local Scouser. International movement has impacted cities, pride in your local pathway - how can you care if you aren’t from there? It’s changed the way we view clubs. Community is online now…but it’s not really and most don’t understand that. Online community is an oxymoron. Clubs like Atletico, Boca, the German clubs, the Danes moving towards 50+1 again etc. Those are the clubs and worlds we have to promote and show as examples of what people are missing. We now must become teachers after pointing out possible problems that change has created. Football mirrors life.
Good questions and observations my man. Great job.
So true. It seems that some modern fans have a low tolerance level to support a single team for life. When the team is doing well, they’re fans but when the team is having a bad patch, they bolt.
I haven’t thought about FUT to play a huge role in this already surfaced new type of football fan. We can only assume what else is there to this case. I think the main determinant is whether your town has a professional team or not, or just well rooted fanbase around the local club. If not, you tend to first follow global football, find a player whose style of play you like and follow the team and eventually become a fan. Can be also a nationality thing. In Czechia there are people in 40s rooting for Liverpool and United because of Berger and Poborský then people in 30s rooting for Liverpool and Chelsea mainly because of Baroš and Čech but then again it’s Real or Barca because we didn’t have anyone.
Yes, agreed, there are nuances. Local vs global definitely is a factor too. But even in that case, people used to stick with the team they chose on the global stage. Not saying player first-fandom never happened before the 2000s but on this scale it does seem like a recent development.
If you’ve never been hurt by the shattering losses your club endures then you can never truly know, understand or love the dizzying heights of celebrating your clubs wins. It’s painful but I know what I’d rather choose & do.
As a long life fan of Real madrid since I was a kid, I could never support any other team in the world. You learn that the club is over everything, and the players come after that. When Cristiano left, never in the world I thought of becoming a Juventus fan. I think when you support a club since you're a kid, you learn to accept that player comme and go, but your team don't.
However, I also really enjoy basketball. But the story here changes. I started watching it because of Luka doncic, when he played at Real Madrid.
When he went to the Dallas Mavs, I supported them, and now that he is at the Lakers, I support La now.
I think that when you watch a sport because of a player, usually you have cases like mine with Doncic, where you follow your idol anywhere he goes.
Also, and to finish, I really liked your FUT análisis, I've played a lot to Fifa and you're ideas never went through my mind, maybe because I was too young and didn't realize.
It is definitely a concern for this old timer. Social media and game modes are obvious drivers of this new fandom but I think a deeper layer is also based on the erosion of local talent as building blocks. My club, Liverpool, has a deep rooted culture about it. Born from pain over the last 30-40 years and as recently as a few weeks ago (RIP Diogo 😞). However, last season they started a match for I believe their first time ever, without a single English player, let alone a local Scouser. International movement has impacted cities, pride in your local pathway - how can you care if you aren’t from there? It’s changed the way we view clubs. Community is online now…but it’s not really and most don’t understand that. Online community is an oxymoron. Clubs like Atletico, Boca, the German clubs, the Danes moving towards 50+1 again etc. Those are the clubs and worlds we have to promote and show as examples of what people are missing. We now must become teachers after pointing out possible problems that change has created. Football mirrors life.
Good questions and observations my man. Great job.
Definitely love the context you add, thank you!
So true. It seems that some modern fans have a low tolerance level to support a single team for life. When the team is doing well, they’re fans but when the team is having a bad patch, they bolt.
Yes, it‘s unfortunate. We all go through rough patches where we‘ve had enough. But we stick it out.
That’s right.
That’s right.
I haven’t thought about FUT to play a huge role in this already surfaced new type of football fan. We can only assume what else is there to this case. I think the main determinant is whether your town has a professional team or not, or just well rooted fanbase around the local club. If not, you tend to first follow global football, find a player whose style of play you like and follow the team and eventually become a fan. Can be also a nationality thing. In Czechia there are people in 40s rooting for Liverpool and United because of Berger and Poborský then people in 30s rooting for Liverpool and Chelsea mainly because of Baroš and Čech but then again it’s Real or Barca because we didn’t have anyone.
Yes, agreed, there are nuances. Local vs global definitely is a factor too. But even in that case, people used to stick with the team they chose on the global stage. Not saying player first-fandom never happened before the 2000s but on this scale it does seem like a recent development.
If you’ve never been hurt by the shattering losses your club endures then you can never truly know, understand or love the dizzying heights of celebrating your clubs wins. It’s painful but I know what I’d rather choose & do.
🙏
Love your article.
As a long life fan of Real madrid since I was a kid, I could never support any other team in the world. You learn that the club is over everything, and the players come after that. When Cristiano left, never in the world I thought of becoming a Juventus fan. I think when you support a club since you're a kid, you learn to accept that player comme and go, but your team don't.
However, I also really enjoy basketball. But the story here changes. I started watching it because of Luka doncic, when he played at Real Madrid.
When he went to the Dallas Mavs, I supported them, and now that he is at the Lakers, I support La now.
I think that when you watch a sport because of a player, usually you have cases like mine with Doncic, where you follow your idol anywhere he goes.
Also, and to finish, I really liked your FUT análisis, I've played a lot to Fifa and you're ideas never went through my mind, maybe because I was too young and didn't realize.
I get the basketball angle. I have the same in F1.
change „younger fans“ to „Max Eberl“ und es ist grossartig
😂