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 ballet with a ball. Celebrating a goal is the soloist's exit. And the fan sectors, sending 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

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

Celebrating a goal as a dance

Every footballer invents their own dance after scoring. Cristiano Ronaldo ("Siuu"): a jump, a spin in the air, landing with hands spread — 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" forms a lock with their hands as a team; "Real" — group hugs. The most creative footballers rehearse in advance.

Figure tricks: 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 sharply in the other. This resembles the movement of hands in belly dancing. "Rabon" — a kick with a foot that is lifted over the supporting one (like in salsa). "Step-over" — an imitation of a step, like in step-dancing. "Reverse past" — 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. Swerves, 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 strikes.

Fan choreography: tifos and waves

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

Dancing coaches and assistants

Coaches on the touchline can also dance. Jurgen Klopp is famous for his jumping technique of celebrating goals, when he runs to the fans and throws himself into their arms. Jose Mourinho, when "Real" scored, made circular hand movements. This is also a dance. Assistants sometimes run onto the field and dance the cancan. Judges even dance (sometimes out of 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 music video "Jam" played basketball with Michael Jordan, but football also appeared. The famous ballet dancer Sergei Polunin admitted that his movements were inspired by football tricks. Footballer Peter Cech (formerly known) 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 featuring stars, the dance break of Ronaldo. FIFA series games contain dance celebrations. Dance schools offer classes on football tricks. This is mainstream.

Dance and football are not a metaphor. This is reality. When you're 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 — the whole life.

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