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Kerala's Football Fervor: A Deep Dive into the Beautiful Game's Craze in "God's Own Country"

 

 














 

 

Introduction: In a country where cricket is often hailed as a religion, Kerala stands out as a beacon of football fervor. Despite the omnipresence of cricket in India's sporting landscape, Kerala has carved out its own niche as a hotbed of football passion. From local clubs to international tournaments, football holds a special place in the hearts of Keralites. This blog aims to explore the reasons behind Kerala's love affair with football, highlighting its unique cultural context, the rise of Kerala players in top European clubs, and the enduring legacy of the sport in the state.


Cricket vs. Football - A Cultural Contrast: India's love affair with cricket is undeniable. The sport commands unparalleled attention, with matches often resembling grand festivals, and star cricketers are revered as demigods. However, in Kerala, football takes center stage. Unlike other parts of the country, where cricket dominates every aspect of sporting culture, Kerala's passion for football runs deep. India is ranked 1st in all formats of cricket, while in case of football they are only 117th the major reason for this is the unpopularity of the sport in other parts of the country. Kerala has also been a big supplier of footballing talents to the Indian team, I M Vijayan, VP Sathyan where some of the players from Kerala who let the Indian team.

The Rise of Kerala Players on the Global Stage: One of the most remarkable aspects of Kerala's football craze is the emergence of talented players who have made their mark on the global stage. Despite limited resources and infrastructure compared to football powerhouses, Kerala has produced exceptional talents who have gone on to play for renowned European clubs.

 

 


 


 


 

Ashiq Karuniyan- Villarreal CF, Rhul KP – FC Bayern Munich, CK Vineeth – Getafe FC
are some of the players playing on European cubs.


Kerala's Football Club - Heartbeats of the Community: In Kerala, football clubs are more than just sporting entities; they are the heartbeat of the community. From the iconic Kerala Blasters FC, which competes in the Indian Super League, to the numerous local clubs scattered across the state, football brings people together like nothing else. The passion and fervor exhibited during matches transcend boundaries of age, gender, and socioeconomic status, uniting Keralites in a shared love for the game. Blasters have more than 3.7M followers on Instagram alone which is more than all other 13 teams in the league combined, this alone shows the popularity of the sport in the state.




Conclusion: In Kerala, football isn't just a sport; it's a emotion, While cricket may reign supreme in other parts of India, Kerala's unwavering devotion to football speaks volumes about the state's rich cultural heritage and the indomitable spirit of its people. I still remember how the people welcomes the world cup, Euro’s and Copa America seasons, anyone who visits Kerala in this time could see every nook and corner of the State filled with Football cut outs decorations banners and much more celebrations. Recognizing the talents from this particular region footballing giants like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich, Manchester City have opened academies for young kids. As Kerala continues to produce talented players and nurture its grassroots footballing culture, the beautiful game will undoubtedly remain an integral part of the state's identity for generations to come.

 

 


 


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