Unpacking Girls' Real Interest in Football

Wassup footers! Here we are, back again with your friendly neighborhood writer Kimmy in FootieFicHub. Today we’re settling up for some topics that have been going on online. It’s actually kind of annoyed me at some point, that’s why I brought this topic up. Put some seat belt on cause we’re going on a bumpy ride honey~

We all know what football is right? Football is more than just a game, it’s a global phenomenon with a devoted fan base that transcends age, nationality, and gender all around the world. In recent years, football has dilated not just on boys but girls these days, this brings in more female fans who’s passionately following the sport whether in stadiums, at watch parties, or through social media. This can be concluded as a good point? Doesn’t it? because the sport is growing. Yet, despite this growth, one stereotype stubbornly appears, the assumption that girls only like football for the “eye candy” only. 

This perception, however, overlooks the genuine curiosity and commitment many girls develop once they dive into the sport. While it’s true sometimes, some girls might initially be drawn by the charismatic player, their interest often deepens as they learn about the teams, strategies, and drama that make football so compelling. This article wants to explore more of the journey from the phenomena of attraction to a sincere and lasting passion, showing that girls' love for football is just as authentic as anyone else's, especially the boys.

For girls, the journey into football fandom begins with a spark of curiosity. Sometimes it starts with the charisma and personalities of certain players that obviously catch their attention. We live in a world full of technology, social media everywhere. Platforms like instagram, twitter, tiktok give the girls a glimpse into the lives of football stars, on and off the pitch, showcasing their training routines, personal lives, and even personalities through some sort of in depth interview. These insights make players more visible to the fans, inviting fans including women and girls to connect with the sport in a way that feels personal. This action leads players turning  into figures of admiration, role models, and sources of inspiration for fans worldwide. 

Unfortunately, this journey is often clouded by a common misconception that girls who like football are “just there for the eye candy.” This stereotype undermines the genuine passion that many girls develop as they follow their favorite teams and players. We admit it, some of us are attracted to some of the players through online platforms, don’t judge us. It is there for a reason alright. Take me as an example, I started to love football when I was a kid. I love to play with some of the boys around my neighborhood. The feeling of attraction grew that way for me, knowing Messi, Pique, Iniesta, Ronaldo at a young age have never been like such a pride for me because I just do love them just as much as the boys love them. As time went by, I got attached more to basketball, I left football.

Then, in 2022 the world cup began. Never really loved football again around that time but my world suddenly changed when I saw Mr Mason Mount. The midfielder for England national team in the WC 2022, I remember perfectly, England beat Iraq. Right after the match finished I found myself automatically googling up for Mason Mount. Trying to get to know him more as a player and person. Following his all social media, sliding deep into his posts until I found out that he is playing for Chelsea Fc.

I knew Chelsea, knew some of great players like Eden Hazard and Peter Cech, Giroud, and Kante but never really followed them. Day by day, I spent minutes and hours watching all Chelsea recap matches, training videos, and all types of content they made with the players. Uh huh your guess is right, just to watch Mason. Indeed, AT FIRST but it becomes addicting. Watching their bond with each other, realizing this is not just a club but this is a family. Makes me want to watch and watch more of them, awakening me with the fact that I AM IN LOVE with this club, not just Mason. I started from zero again to learn the rules by watching them play. I am willing to sacrifice my sleep hours just to watch them on the pitch.

That’s what I do, that’s the effort I put into giving more passion to the sport and the joy of it. We can see now, Mason in Manchester United and I am 100% still the blues. I support my boys all the way whether they were in the bottom of the rank until now in the top 5 of the EPL table. I skim all the hate, mocks, and not really funny jokes appointed to me with supporting Chelsea which was performed like a clown that season. I get in a bad mood every week because of the losing streak we face. I feel what the boys feel about their club. When the club loses, you just can’t get over it so easily, moreover to change the team we support. It doesn’t work like that, am I right? It’s all about loyalty and giving it all. I 100% know what it feels like.

Now since you have witnessed one of so many cases? so stop putting more and more bad stereotypes about girls who love football. Not all of them are like that, many of us have a great passion for this sport. We find football interesting and entertaining for us just like you boys do, I mean not that enjoyable if the team we support lost but that’s where the fun is. We get to mock and joke with each other. My other biggest pet peeve around this problem is boys often testing the female fans about the frickin offside thingy. It’s annoying to be honest guys really, please stop doing that🙃🫴.

Let’s just be the best fans as much as we can for the country and club we support. Show them how passionate we are as fans, how we appreciate the players' effort on the pitch. We can do it side by side, women and men, girls and boys all the same okay. There’s no such thing as senior and junior when you love something, all of us happen to be interested in something at a certain time of our life. As long as we all love the sport and want to have some fun with it, there’s nothing wrong with it. 

Let’s change the old school mindset to a better one. I know my readers are much more than that. Let’s keep things real, footers! This article isn't about blaming anyone or pointing fingers at boys or girls. It's about recognizing the respect we all deserve as fans, no matter how or when our love for football started. Sure, some of us might feel a bit defensive when we’re misunderstood, and yes, some girls and boys alike can occasionally act like they know it all. But that’s not the point. The point is to remember that we're all here for the same reason—a genuine passion for football. 

Let’s put aside the stereotypes and the old rule assumptions and start appreciating what unites us as fans. Whether you fall for football by a player’s skill, the thrill of a goal, or the spirit of a club, all of that love and effort makes us part of the same football family. We each bring something valuable to this world, sharing the highs and lows, the wins and losses, and yes, even those late night debates about who’s the best. 

Cheers to all of us, for the dedication, the late nights, and the loyalty we bring to our teams. Together, we’re better fans, and together, we make football something truly special. I love you guys so much! Love you all my fellow football fans all around this globe🌟 

The reason why I personally wanted to write this specific topic and get this straight because lots of boys around me have been mocking about my loyalty to Chelsea FC which my dearest club I love since 2022. Not only that but also to celebrate my boys winning streak in club world cup and being the winner of that competition. That's all you guys I hope you understand enough and catch what I'm trying to say in this writings. Let's not differentiate boys and girls, men or women when it comes to football, because football is universal right? 

Thank you for reading footers. Will see you again soon!!