We can all agree that football (or soccer, as heathens call it) is a very tactical game. Many go so far as to even compare it to chess. In this regard, every advantage you can get over your opponent can make a difference and sway the result your way.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen examples in which this tactical approach can have a detrimental effect on The Beautiful Game. Strategies like tactical fouling, time-wasting, and others can take the magic out of the game if overused. Luckily, I’m not talking about any of this Debbie Downer stuff.
In this week’s Meme Mondays article, I want to shine the spotlight on the artistry and visually pleasing performance that is diving in football. Footballers diving has become such a prevalent trend in the sport that you can find compilations with millions of views and memes of some of the worst dives we’ve seen.
This makes perfect sense. A good dive is a gift that keeps on giving. Modern football was invented over 150 years ago. Over all that time, we’ve seen every possible goal from every angle. But diving? That is an art that is still going through its Renaissance phase, with a lot to give.
Although we’ve seen great divers throughout the game’s history, the concentration of these craftsmen has perhaps been the greatest over this last decade. To put it in these words, Jürgen Klinsmann and Rivaldo walked so that Jack Grealish, Bruno Fernandes, and Neymar could run. And run they did. Most often, all the way to the penalty box. Where they would fall.
With the latter player in mind, when we think of diving nowadays, Neymar is arguably one of the first names to pop into everybody’s head. While GOAT debates are an unrewarding topic in any sport, we can all agree that Neymar ranks pretty high up there. His majestic dives combine both physicality and flair and even require great acting skills to pull off.
Your average Joe diver shouldn’t even attempt Neymar-type dives. He’d only look foolish. This is why young footballers will study Neymar’s technique and the nuances of his craft for decades to come, hoping to have a career-defining move such as this 2018 hit:
To extend on this, like a good three-pointer at the buzzer, a well-crafted dive can be a clutch move that gets your team the win. The Robben dive against Mexico at the 2014 World Cup is the perfect example of this:
During the Round of 16, the Dutch star pulled one of the most iconic dives on the big stage, and Mexican players couldn’t help but applaud. Wouldn’t you? After a well-fought game, to concede a penalty goal in the 94th minute after a dive, you can simply say you’ve been fairly outplayed. There’s no room for hard feelings. The only thing you can do is tip the hat to the “tactical genius” of your opponent.
On the other hand, some football divers don’t need the bright lights of the World Cup to showcase their diving skills. For Dele Ali, a low-importance match against Huddersfield still provides enough inspiration for gracious dives. Such a dedicated mindset shows why Dele Ali deserves so many dive videos and compilations online. His legacy should rightfully always be cherished in the diving community.
Today, diving in football has become so prevalent that these magnificent diving artists already have their haters. Just check out these geeks at StopDiving, who made an entire website dedicated to tracking diving and investigating the numbers behind it. I mean, get with the times and appreciate the beauty of modern football.
All jokes aside, to end this week’s Meme Mondays edition on a more serious note, organizations like StopDiving are doing respectable work in promoting honesty on the football pitch. While we’ve grown accustomed to players rolling around every few minutes, legends like Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić, Kevin De Bruyne, and many others have shown us that you can be a magician on the field and see great success without the need to use diving to get extra whistles.
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