Soccer

First Professional Soccer Team Created

Jul 24, 1824

The first soccer team created was The Foot-Ball Club out of Edinburgh, Scotland. There are no known photos of this club given the date. This club was created before there were any official leagues and rules of the game.

The First Soccer Ball

1863

The first soccer ball was created by a man named Charles Goodyear. It was made out of bladders as well as leather.

First Soccer League Created

Oct 26, 1863

This league was called, "The Football Association". It was the first known official league created. It was created in England and there were eleven London football clubs. School and club representatives met before the league's creation to develop common rules.

First Official International Match

Nov 30, 1872

Years later, outside of league play, the first international soccer match was played in Scotland. It was Scotland vs. England and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

The Creation of Referees

1877

Before referees, it was just a bunch of guys running around like a pickup basketball game at the park. But with the introduction of referees, the rules were able to be enforced.

First Professional Stadium is Created

Aug 24, 1892

The name of the stadium was "Goodison Park". It was of course located in England and it only cost around 8,090 pounds.

Olympic Soccer is Introduced

1900

Meetings between a lot of companies and countries made this all happen. They agreed on certain terms to have soccer be an Olympic sport and was played with all the teams that had an international squad at that time.

Creation of FIFA

May 21, 1904

In 1904 the creation of the organization that is still here to this day, "FIFA", was created. It stands for The Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

FIFA Holds The First World Cup

Jul 13, 1930

The first World Cup consisted of only 13 countries and was held in Montevideo, Uruguay. This was just the beginning of the most legendary sporting event of all time.

European Champions Clubs' Cup Created

Sep 19, 1955

This was the first time Clubs from around Europe played each other. Clubs from Spain, Germany, Netherlands, France, Etc.

Pele Joins Local Club Team Santos

Sep 7, 1956

After being on the junior squad for a while now, Pele's name was called up to the first team, the rest is history.

Pele Wins First World Cup

Jun 19, 1958

Pele becomes the youngest player to ever score in a World Cup final. Pele scored two goals against Sweden to bring his country home the World Cup trophy.

Pele Plays his Final International Match

Jul 18, 1971

Pele goes down in international history and plays his final international match against Yugoslavia. He Proved himself as one of the best players of all time.

Pele Retires

Oct 1, 1977

The legendary Pele announces his retirement and cements his name in the record books and in history as the greatest footballer.

First Women's World Cup

1991

History was made in 1991 when people came together to host the first Women's World Cup. This shows that passion goes both ways in soccer.

Messi Signs for Legendary Club, Barcelona

Dec 14, 2000

Lionel Messi becomes the youngest player to sign for Barcelona. He also signed in a very unique way, on a napkin. The club wanted him so bad that they flew to Argentina to speak with him and sign him, this proved his greatness at a young age.

Messi Wings his First Champions League

May 17, 2006

Lionel Messi plays in his first-ever Champions League and wins it in his first year with arguably the greatest Barcelona team to play. He proved he was that guy in the tournament.

Messi Wins his First Ballon d'Or

Dec 1, 2009

Messi won his first-ever Ballon d'Or and is one of the youngest to ever do it.

Lionel Messi Wins the World Cup

Dec 17, 2022

Lionel Messi leads his team to the World Cup final and takes down France in penalties in the best World Cup final match of all time. Lionel Messi has accomplished everything a player could dream of, this is why he is the greatest.