The Football Decline#

Each time I discuss the modern football situation and why it feels so different from the golden era, I used to think it was just nostalgia. But there is a real shift in the game and industry, and many fans are starting to witness it.

In this article I will tackle that phenomenon: what makes football less attractive than before, and what are the root causes.

A Different Game Today#

Since I was born after the 90s, I cannot claim to have lived through the old era, but the contrast is clear.

In the past:

  • Games were fewer, with fewer tournaments and less money pumped into the industry.
  • The quality of matches felt higher because the players themselves were exceptional.
  • Games were less tactical and there were many distinct styles of play.
  • Each country had its own football identity.

Now:

  • Each player can play 40+ games per year.
  • The quality of matches feels lower, and the quality of players often feels diluted compared to legends like Messi, Ronaldo, Pirlo, and Kaka.
  • Football is more tactical, and team styles have grown more similar across countries.
  • The sport has become industrial: every aspect is optimized for profit, like any capitalist field.
  • Injuries are rising as the calendar becomes more demanding.

So what are the root causes that are driving the most loved sport in the world toward this decline?

Capitalism on the Line#

Like any attention-driven activity, football has become a business built on multiple revenue pillars. It is no longer just 90 minutes between two teams.

As with any industry backed by revenue sources, football depends on these three main pillars:

Commercial#

  • Sponsorships — kit deals, stadium naming rights, official partners
  • Merchandising — jerseys, apparel, branded products
  • Licensing — video games, trading cards, NFTs
  • Hospitality — premium seating, VIP packages
  • Digital content — streaming platforms, exclusive content

Broadcast#

  • Domestic TV rights — league broadcasting to national audiences
  • International TV rights — global distribution agreements
  • Streaming platforms — Amazon Prime, Apple TV, DAZN, etc.
  • Pay-per-view — premium match content
  • European competition — Champions League, Europa League

Matchday#

  • Ticket sales — match attendance and season passes
  • Stadium catering — food, beverages, concessions
  • Parking & transport — event day services
  • Merchandise sales — at-venue retail

Where there is capitalism, there is a push for infinite growth. Every process in the football cycle is optimized to maximize profit, which often contradicts the core value of the game itself.

Football was born as a people’s sport — a renaissance in Brazil, created and loved by poor people and mastered by poor people. The modern industry has moved far from that spirit.

Increase the Number of Competitions and Teams#

Continents are expanding tournaments with the stated goal of democratizing football.

In Europe, new competitions like the Nations League and the Conference League were created so more teams can compete at a high level. In Africa, there are plans for a super league for elite clubs in each country. Other federations have followed similar paths.

But the real incentive behind these expansions is simple: money.

More competitions and more teams mean more matches, more viewers, more sponsors, and more broadcast revenue.

That may make economic sense, but scarcity is what creates value. When something becomes too abundant, it becomes less valuable.

More competitions overwhelm fans with volume and reduce the quality of each game. More matches also raise the risk of injury and fatigue for players, which can remove the best performers from the pitch and weaken the overall spectacle.

Tactical Evolutions#

Teams have become like companies, players are employees, and competitions are marketplaces for expertise.

To grow, clubs need high-quality players and clever coaches. Presidents and stakeholders invest in results, and managers optimize their game plans to win because failure often means losing their job.

We used to believe football was fun and artistic: players were artists and the pitch was a stage. Games were more open, and players had far more freedom with the ball.

Today, the game feels thicker. Patterns repeat, the factor of chaos is reduced, and technical creativity has been crowded out.

It is not that there is no talent in this generation. It is that the game has become more mechanical, and the conditions for creative genius are harder to support.

What This Means#

I think there are many causes behind this decline, and I cannot cover them all here.

But the main drivers are clear:

  • capitalism turning football into an industrial product,
  • an explosion of competitions and matches,
  • and tactical optimization that values results over beauty.

Football is still the most loved sport in the world, but it is becoming less attractive to those who remember it as an art rather than a machine.

I am not against football. I am just observing a shift in the sport’s soul.

It’s not written by AI :)