Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Juninho, Neymar, Deco, Kaká, Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, Fabregas, Xavi… all learnt their skills from playing Futsal, the indoor version of football played with a heavier, low-bounce ball that teaches skilful play and accurate passing.
Futsal is the way most children learn the game in Brazil, Argentina, Portugal and Spain, and The FA would like English children to get the same head start.
Futsal is the official FIFA version of the grassroots South American Futebol de Salão (Portuguese for 'hall football'). It's the fastest growing indoor sport in the world.
In the race to produce more skilful players, Premier League clubs are turning to Futsal. Everton coach, Tosh Farrell says: "Our Academy players now use Futsal in 75% of their training".
All Respect League U8s, U9s and U10s teams play this amazing game alongside our regular 5v5 and 7v7 outdoor fixtures.
We are the first League to introduce year-round Futsal.
Our U8s Centre at Cedar Mount, our U9s Centre at St Paul's and our U9s Centre at Newall Green all have indoor Futsal pitches with special Futsal goals as well as our usual outdoor 3G pitches. Our U11s and U12s play in a Futsal Cup.
It's different from 5-a-side: there are touchlines instead of boards; and there is no head height rule. But it's also different from mini-soccer: there are kick ins instead of throw-ins and although it's 5v5, it's fast and furious with rolling subs so you need your whole squad.
The kids love it and their skills really shine.
As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal for my club. It was tremendous fun, and it really helped me become who I am today.
Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball control, quick thinking, passing… also for dribbling, balance, concentration…Futsal was very, very important, no doubt.