What should a beginner soccer fan know about the game?

Question

I'm American and I used to not be into soccer, but when I watched the world cup a few years ago, I understood why the sport is so popular. I tried getting into the MLS, but those games were nothing compared to the international games. I'm gonna try to get into international soccer, but there are a few things I'd like to ask. I feel kind of stupid asking these things, but:

1. Who are some of soccer's all-time greats that every soccer fan should know about?

2. Are there any statistical milestones that usually define a great player? Example: 500 career home runs (for those of you who follow baseball).

3. Who will be contending for a title next year in the big international leagues and who will be the worst teams?

4. What players should I know about?

5. Anything else I should know?

If I could get detailed answers to all these questions, that would be great.

Answer 1

Firstly i'd like to congratulate you, for showing an interest into the greatest sport ever...Soccer (football)

(Only Americans call it 'soccer'...the rest of the world call it 'football')

1) Pele (seen as the greatest footballer ever)

   Maradonna (also seen as the greatest footballer ever)

   Cruyff (greatly admired as a footballer

  

This website shows the main legends;

http://www.football-history.net/best-pla...

2) - 100 international caps (playing a 100 times for your country)

    - 1000 career goals (hard feat to accomplish)

    -  500 club caps (playing for your club 500 times)

3) Best teams; Brazil, Spain, Argentina, France, Italy, Germany

  (one of them normally win the 'world cup')

    Worst teams; the teams that you never see playing on TV ;)



4) - Ronaldo (best player in the world - at the moment)

   - Ronaldinho (one the the biggest names in football - currently)

   - Beckham (you probably know about him - biggest name in football)

   - Pele ( greatest player ever - in history)

   - Kaka (greatest player in modern times)

5)  - Manchester United are the biggest club in the world

     - England, Spain and Italy are the biggest leagues in the world

     - Biggest torunaments are 'the world cup' and the 'champions league'

     - Its regarded as the most played sport in the world

       (only america lack in seeing 'soccer' as a national sport)

    

Answer 2

Pele! He was the best Brazilian soccer player ever.

Maybe 100 international goals.  Also there is the champions league in England where British teams battle it out and the Euro Cup.  The Euro cup ended about 2 months ago and Spain won.

Ronaldhino, Ronaldo, Lampard, Rooney, Gerrerd all probably the best European players except 4 Ronaldhino.

There are great plays that players may do.  1 is a bicycle shot where a played does a flip when the ball comes and hits it upside-down.  Also a corner goal where a player shoots from the corner into the goal.  Also a goalie goal which happened only once I think is a historic feat.  I hope you've learned a lot.

Answer 3

The best leagues to watch are The English Premiere League, the Spanish (Spain), and the Italian.

I like the EPL best, and Fox Soccer Channel (Its on brighthouse, dont know about other cable stations) has all three and then others including the J league and games from all over the world including club and international games.

MLS is pretty slow paced compared to other leagues

Answer 4

Firstly i'd like to congratulate you, for showing an interest into the greatest sport ever...Soccer (football)

Second of all the usa men's team is the worst ever

(Only Americans call it 'soccer'...the rest of the world call it 'football')