News Pick
What Football Can Teach You That Philosophy Can’t (Well… Almost!)
From Messi’s magic to Ronaldo’s grit—football is a masterclass in life skills, wrapped in a sweaty, cheering, goal-scoring package.
Team Spirit: Passing More Than Just the Ball
On a football field, no one wins alone. Lionel Messi’s best goals for Barcelona were often the product of jaw-dropping passes from Xavi or Iniesta. Football teaches you to combine and collaborate—knowing when to take the shot and when to pass. It’s about putting the team before yourself, celebrating assists as much as goals, and realising that success is sweeter when shared.And most importantly, the badges on the front matters more than the name on the back.
Individuality: Fight for Your Place, Shine Your Way
While teamwork is key, individuality is celebrated too. Think Cristiano Ronaldo—fighting for his spot at Manchester United as a teenager, dazzling defenders with skills no coach could teach. Football urges you to stand out, fight for your place in the team, and push yourself to be the best version of you. It’s about finding your own style, whether that’s dribbling past three defenders or scoring a thundering free kick.
Necessary Aggression: Controlled Fire
Zlatan Ibrahimović once said, “I came like a king, left like a legend.” Sure, it’s cheeky—but it’s also the mindset football demands. You need aggression to win the ball, block that last-minute shot, or chase down a runaway striker. But it’s controlled aggression—not mindless rage. The best players channel that fire into protecting their team and creating opportunities, not into needless fouls.
Sportsmanship: No Enemies, Only Opponents
Football is fierce—but at the final whistle, grudges vanish. Remember when Andrés Iniesta scored the 2010 World Cup-winning goal for Spain? He revealed a shirt honouring a late friend Daniel Jarque—earning applause from even the Dutch players he’d just beaten. The sport teaches you to compete hard but respect harder. On the pitch, you may be rivals, but off it, you can share laughs, jerseys, and memories.
Mr Arvind Kaushal, PGT, Physical Education at Apeejay School, Pitampura also believes in the same. The expert coach says, “Sport is a great equaliser in the society. It brings us all together and removes all difference. Kids must practice a sport and football is a great choice. It teaches resilience, positive thinking, teamwork and fortitude in the most practical of ways. And it is such a fun form of exercise!”
Final Word
So yes, philosophy teaches eternal truths, but football? It teaches you how to live them in 90 minutes—with mud on your shirt, sweat on your brow, and joy in your heart. As Swami Vivekananda might agree: first, kick the ball. Then, read the scripture.
