Dance and football. At first glance, there is a chasm between them. One is art, the other is sport. One requires rhythm, the other strength. But if you look closer, it becomes clear: football is a dance, only rough, masculine, in boots and on the grass. Dribbling is a pas de deux with the ball. Celebrating a goal is a soloist's exit. And fan sectors, releasing waves, are a choreographic troupe of thousands of people. In this article, we will explore all the points of contact between football and dance.

Football as a dance: the Brazilian school

Brazilians do not play football, they dance it. Garincha, Ronaldo, Neymar, Vinicius — their movements resemble samba. Fints with body transfers, "chapa-de-suya" (cut with a step), deceptive movements of the hips — all this comes from the dance culture. European coaches often criticize Brazilians for "excessive theatricality," demanding pragmatism. But when Ronaldo scores, dancing, the whole world is amazed. Brazilian goal celebrations are a small carnival. Players dance on the field, sometimes to music from speakers (as Neymar did in "PSG"). FIFA long fought against dances, considering them a provocation, but eventually gave in.

Celebrating a goal as a dance

Every footballer comes up with their own dance after a goal. Cristiano Ronaldo ("Siuu"): a jump, a somersault in the air, landing with spread hands — this is the dance of the winner. Messi points to the sky — a ritual dance in memory of his grandmother. Bale depicted a heart with his hands. Griezmann repeated movements from Fortnite. Clubs establish their own "dance" traditions: "Liverpool" folds hands in a lock as a team; "Real" — group hugs. The most creative footballers rehearse in advance.

Figure fints: from mentuz to elastico

Technical elements of dribbling have dance names. "Elastico" (from the word elastic) — a cut where the ball first moves in one direction and then suddenly in the other. This resembles the movement of hands in belly dance. "Rabon" — a kick with a foot that is carried over the supporting one (as in salsa). "Fint with a step" — an imitation of a step, as in step dance. "Reverse pasta" — a pass through oneself. Defenders do not like dancing dribblers, but fans love them.

Street football and futsal: dance in tight spaces

Street football is the maximum freedom. There is no coach, no tactics. There is only a ballet on the asphalt. Fints, wall passes, checking. Futsal (mini-football) due to small areas and a light ball is also closer to dance: players spin quickly, pass with their heels, imitate a pass. The famous futsaller Falcao (Brazil) was recognized as the best thanks to his acrobatic hits.

Fan choreography: tifo and waves

Fans on the stands also dance. Chanting to rhythmic claps is a dance of the voice. "Wave," when people stand up and sit down, — this is a mass choreography. Ultras organize "tifo": huge banners, mosaic from cards, fireworks. In Italy and Argentina, fans sing and dance the whole match. This is a dance of unity.

Dancing coaches and assistants

Coaches on the touchline can also dance. Jürgen Klopp is famous for his jumping technique of celebrating a goal, when he runs to the fans and throws himself into their arms. José Mourinho, when "Real" scored, made circular hand movements. This is also a dance. Assistants sometimes run onto the field and dance cancan. Even judges dance (sometimes from joy that the match is over).

Crossover: dancers-footballers, footballers-dancers

Some famous dancers have professionally played football, and vice versa. Michael Jackson in the video "Jam" played with Michael Jordan in basketball, but football also appeared. The famous ballerina Sergey Polunin admitted that his movements were inspired by football fints. Footballer Peter Cech (known in the past) studied ballet to improve coordination. In the Netherlands, there are football clubs that practice ballet exercises to prevent injuries.

Commercialization: advertising where dance and football are together

Adidas and Nike shoot videos where footballers dance to music. The "Write the Future" (2010) advertisement with stars, the dance break of Ronaldo. FIFA series games contain dance celebrations. Dance schools offer classes in football fints. This is mainstream.

Dance and football are not a metaphor. This is reality. When you are on the field, you dance with the ball, with the opponent, with the crowd. You dance from joy, from despair, from anger. And in this dance — all life.

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