by: Daniel ButlerPosted on:

Why is Soccer so Popular in South America? (Answered!)

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There are few sports with a global appeal like soccer. You can go to nearly every corner of the planet and find the most passionate and knowledgeable soccer fans and spot locals having a kick-around in city parks.

In South America, it’s undoubtedly the number one sport and has been for generations.

Some of the game’s greatest-ever players hail from this continent and have been roared on by ardent supporters.

So why is it that this sport is so popular in South America? Let’s look at the history and reasons that it’s so adored.

One of the major reasons that soccer is so popular in South America is that Europeans brought the sport over with them when immigrating to South America.

Due to a combination of mass immigration, colonization, and subsequent societal changes, soccer became part of the fabric of everyday life.

Writers have noted that as South America became more and more like Europe, largely because of the reasons mentioned above, soccer increasingly became more popular.

When did soccer first emerge in South America?

Many Europeans traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to start a new life and couldn’t resist bringing their hobbies with them.

Soccer, having been created in Britain in the earlier half of the 19th century, soon exploded into the cultural phenomenon that we see in South America today. Legend has it that European sailors used to play the game when they docked in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

British ex-patriots formed the very first Argentinian soccer clubs and the league blossomed from there.

South America’s soccer status

You’d be forgiven for stating that South America is the home of soccer. While it didn’t conceive the sport, Brazil are the most successful men’s national team in history, and Argentina aren’t too far behind them in terms of World Cup wins.

Uruguay too have won two World Cups, and considering the talent that countries like Colombia and Chile have possessed over the years, it’s hard to argue against the pedigree of South America.

The popularity of the sport within South America has inspired generations to achieve greatness.

Why are South Americans so good at soccer?

Culturally, soccer is accessible to all classes in South America. Whether you’re rich or poor, from the north or the south of the continent, you can play soccer.

From a young age, children in many South American countries play either futsal or beach soccer. While the principles are the same, there is an emphasis on control and focus. Contributing factors to this include smaller balls and uneven playing surfaces, meaning you must have sufficient agility to cope with dynamic conditions. 

While perceived richer nations will have the resources to develop players through advanced facilities and access to more knowledgeable coaching, you can’t teach the instinct.

Who are the most famous soccer teams in South America?

There are loads of big names that we’ve left out, but it won’t be a huge surprise that the biggest clubs on this continent are from the two largest nations: Brazil and Argentina. 

Here’s a brief look at some of the top names in club soccer on this continent:

  • Flamengo – according to one study, Flamengo is the best-supported team in South America. They play their home games at the Maracanã, soccer’s spiritual home (sorry, Wembley!). They’re also Brazil’s richest club, meaning they are in a better position than others to snap up the best South American talents.
  • Boca Juniors – Boca has won more trophies than any other Argentine club, including the top division 35 times and the Copa Libertadores, South America’s continental cup, six times. Boca also won the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup three times. Playing at La Bombanera in Buenos Aires, one of soccer’s most recognizable stadiums, Boca’s fans are known globally as some of the world’s most fervent.
  • River Plate – across Argentina’s capital, River Plate boasts two more national titles over fierce rivals Boca to go alongside their four Copa Libertadores wins. Their stadium, Estadio Monumental, is the biggest in the country and also hosts the national team. Supporters of Los Millonarios are raucous and you won’t have a quiet experience when watching them, evident from a recent viral chant.
  • Santos – the club of both Pelé and Neymar Jr. The instantly recognizable jerseys of ‘Alvinegro Praiano’ (Black-and-white from the beach) offers nostalgia for older generations. While the trophies have dried up, Santos still produces numerous prodigies through their academy, including stars like Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Juventus’ full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro.
  • Palmeiras – the losing finalist in the 2022 Club World Cup, they are the reigning champions in Brazil’s top flight and have won the Copa Libertadores twice in the last three seasons. It’s not just recent history that has been kind to Palmeiras either, the club had a spell of success during the ‘60s and early ‘70s too. Their stadium, Allianz Parque is a glistening residence fit for one of South America’s soccer giants.

Where else is soccer widely enjoyed?

As we know, soccer is hugely popular in Europe, being the national sport for most European nations.

Of course, outside of Europe and South America soccer is adored too. If you travel to Central America, Africa, the Middle East, South-east Asia, and many other corners of the globe, you’ll find that soccer’s appeal is colossal.

While soccer isn’t king in the USA, Canada, India, or Australia, the popularity of getting involved with the sport is growing.

Therefore, soccer is the most popular sport on Earth, not just in South America.

It’s more than just a hobby in South America; it’s in their blood. They live and breathe soccer. Most likely, in every busy park or populated open space, you’ll find people kicking a ball about.

We implore you to watch a game on TV if you can. Or better still, enjoy the live experience when in this part of the world.

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