I've played at a respectable amateur level, and I've been fortunate to have played with past their prime ex pros and was humbled by their abilities and yet most were only average when they were in their prime playing in the premier leagues...there's no better teacher than playing with pros and have them look at you like you're an idiot when you don't do what they expect, oops! sorry didn't think of that!...
Actually, some Swedish neurologists have conducted a study where they try to explain what "footballing intelligence" actually is and with measurments, they have been able to prove some players have superior brain function to others. I believe they concluded Xavi's and Iniesta's brain function only appears at around 1/10000 (I think it was) people. I haven't read this one yet, but I sure will. Have too many books on my reading list and too little time atm.
that doesn't surprise me, they need to think and react very quickly making multiple calculations on time, space, distance, where your teammates are, where the opponents are, do we have the ball, do they have the ball, the moment when the ball changes possession, all of those factors are constantly changing ...and none of that would be possible if they didn't have absolute mastery of ball and body, their control is 2nd nature they give it no thought it's like breathing or blinking...allowing them to devote everything to the mental requirements... the number of players who advance to the highest levels is likely less than 1 in 30,000 if not greater...
Eintracht Frankfurt has won the DFB-Pokal final against Bayern München in Berlin! The first trophy for my team in 30 years! It was an awesome weekend in Berlin and at the fan party on sunday, 70.000 fans celebrating our team. The match: The party in Frankfurt:
Stop calling is Socca', please. This is such a cringe. It is Football since you actually kick the ball with your damn feet. In the so called "American football", you only kick the ball with your feet at the penalty or the kickoff or whatever the hell it's called. It's a Rugby and that's it. American rugby. If you're gonna call Football "a Soccer", I'm gonna call American football "an American rugby". Jesus. Cringe, man, cringe.