In a bold move that could reshape the future of football, Gerard Pique, the legendary Barcelona and Spain defender, has called for a significant overhaul of the sport’s traditional format in search of exciting action.
With a career decorated by immense success, including nine La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, and a World Cup triumph in 2010, Pique is now turning his attention to the sport’s future. His primary suggestion? Eliminate the possibility of draws to make the game more appealing to the younger generation.
Since retiring in November 2022, Pique has remained deeply involved in soccer, leading innovative projects like the Kings League. This seven-a-side tournament features 20-minute halves, no draws, and unlimited substitutions. Games are streamed on platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube; aiming to engage audiences accustomed to fast-paced, short-form content. Pique’s experiences with the Kings League have significantly shaped his views on how traditional soccer must evolve.
Need for change
In an interview with The Times, Pique articulated his concerns about soccer’s current format and its ability to captivate younger fans.
Pique has championed the Kings League, a seven-a-side tournament held at the Camp Nou, as an alternative for young viewers
“One reason we created the Kings League is I saw my kids watching a football match and after ten minutes they were on their phones and their tablets and watching other things at the same time”, he explained.
“Football is entertainment, so it is not just competing with other sports. It competes with Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, TikTok. Everyone has limited time. Football for 90 minutes is not as exciting.”
According to the ex-Spain international, if the sport wants to keep its popularity then it has to change its format.
Furthermore, he…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/football-not-as-exciting-ex-barca-star-pique-shocks-admission/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-07-13 18:56:31
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.