Football, often hailed as the most magical sport in the world, captivates billions globally.

According to incomplete statistics, approximately 800,000 teams are participating in regular matches worldwide, with around 40 million registered players, including about 100,000 professional athletes.

There are a staggering 2.8 billion passionate football fans globally, with viewership during the World Cup reaching 10 billion people. The global football industry involves approximately 100 million individuals, making its influence felt across the globe.

Football is an ancient sport with a long history. Originating in England, modern football quickly spread across Europe and then to the rest of the world, becoming the most popular sport globally.

There are two legends regarding the origin of football:

In ancient Greece, there was a game similar to football called "Episkyros." It was a match between two teams where participants had to kick a ball with their feet, aiming to score by getting the ball into the opponent's goal. While Ancient Greek Episkyros had some differences from modern football, some historians believe it might have been an important precursor to the sport.

2. Ancient Rome: The Legend of Harpastum

During ancient Roman times, there was a sport similar to football known as "Harpastum."

This sport also involved two teams competing against each other, kicking a ball with their feet and attempting to score in the opponent's goal. However, unlike modern football, Harpastum was more like a mix of rugby and football, with a more intense and rugged style of play.

By the early 19th century, football was already quite popular in Europe and some Latin American countries, particularly in capitalist England. The first written rules, known as the 'Cambridge Rules,' were established in 1848, marking a significant milestone in football's history.

The so-called "Cambridge Rules" were a set of rules developed for matches between teams in London, Oxford, and Cambridge. Each team had 11 players, as there were typically ten students and one teacher living in each dormitory at the time, leading to 11-a-side matches, which is the origin of modern 11-player football.

On October 26, 1863, the Football Association in England held a crucial meeting in London, marking an important moment in the history of modern football. Rules for matches were drafted, though some differed significantly from today's rules. For instance, at that time, a goal was scored if the ball passed between the goalposts, regardless of height, as long as it wasn't thrown, hit, or carried in.

Player positions and formations were also different then: each team had one goalkeeper, one fullback, one half-back, and eight forwards. Soon after, the formations changed to one goalkeeper, two fullbacks, three half-backs, and five forwards, resulting in the now familiar 11-player lineup.

Football, this ancient yet modern sport, carries a rich history and culture. From Ancient Greek Episkyros to Roman Harpastum, and then to the modern Cambridge Rules, the evolution of football embodies human wisdom and passion.

Today, football has become the most popular sport globally, connecting billions of fans and professionals worldwide. In every moment of the game, the magic of football flows, immersing people in this exciting world. As time goes on, the rules and formations of football may continue to change, but its core spirit remains eternal – unity, competition, and passion.