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Football has a rich history and a massive following. While many people are familiar with the basics of the game, there are several fascinating facts that may surprise even the most avid football fans.
In this article, we will explore 20 things you didn’t know about football.
1. Football’s Origins
Football traces its origins back to ancient civilizations, with the earliest known form of the game dating back to ancient China around 2,000 years ago.
2. The Most Played Sport
Football is played by more than 250 million people worldwide, making it the most played sport on the planet.
3. The Oldest Football Club
Sheffield Football Club, formed in 1857, is recognized as the oldest football club in the world.
4. The Fastest Goal
The fastest goal ever scored in a professional football match was by Hakan Şükür of Turkey, who found the back of the net just 11 seconds into a game against South Korea in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
5. The Most Goals in a Calendar Year
Lionel Messi holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, with an astonishing 91 goals in 2012.
6. The Most Successful National Team
The most successful national team in football history is Brazil, with a record five FIFA World Cup victories.
7. The Most Expensive Transfer
The most expensive transfer in football history was the transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for a staggering €222 million.
8. The Largest Football Stadium
The largest football stadium in the world is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, with a seating capacity of 114,000.
9. The Most Successful Club
Real Madrid holds the record for the most UEFA Champions League titles, with 13 victories.
10. The Most Capped Player
Former Egyptian goalkeeper Ahmed Hassan holds the record for the most international caps, having represented his country 184 times.
11. The Most Goals in a Single World Cup
Just Fontaine of France holds the record for the most goals scored by an individual in a single FIFA World Cup tournament, with 13 goals in 1958.
12. The Highest Scoring Match
The highest-scoring match in football history took place in 1882, with the final score being 149-0 in favor of AS Adema against Stade Olympique de L’Emyrne.
13. The Most Expensive Footballer
As of now, the most expensive footballer in the world is Kylian Mbappé, who was transferred from AS Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain for €180 million.
14. The Most Successful Manager
Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed Manchester United for 26 years, is widely regarded as the most successful football manager, having won 38 major trophies during his tenure.
15. The First World Cup
The first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930 and was hosted by Uruguay, who also emerged as the tournament’s winners.
16. The Most Expensive Football Stadium
The most expensive football stadium ever built is the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, with a construction cost of $1.6 billion.
17. The Most Goals in a Single Match
The record for the most goals scored by an individual in a single match is held by Stephan Stanis of Madagascar, who scored 16 goals in a match in 2002.
18. The Youngest World Cup Player
The youngest player to ever participate in a FIFA World Cup match is Norman Whiteside of Northern Ireland, who was just 17 years and 41 days old when he played in the 1982 tournament.
19. The Most Expensive Season Ticket
The most expensive season ticket for a football club is offered by Arsenal FC, with prices reaching up to £2,200.
20. The Longest Unbeaten Run
Arsenal FC holds the record for the longest unbeaten run in English football, going 49 matches without a defeat from May 2003 to October 2004.
