Futsal (Portuguese pronunciation: [futsal]) is a variant of association football that is played on a

smaller field and mainly played indoors. It can be considered a version of five-a-side football.
[1]
Its name comes from the Spanish Ftbol sala or ftbol de saln , which can be translated as
"room football". It was developed in Uruguay and Brazil in the 1930s and 1940s.
In Brazil futsal is played by more people than football but does not attract as many spectators
as the outdoor sport. Several futsal players have moved on to careers as successful
professional football players.[2]
Futsal is a game played between two teams of five players each, one of whom is the
goalkeeper. Unlimited substitutions are permitted. Unlike some other forms of indoor
football, the game is played on a hard court surface delimited by lines; walls or boards are not
used. Futsal is also played with a smaller ball with less bounce than a regular football due to
the surface of the field.[3] The surface, ball and rules create an emphasis on improvisation,
creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.[4]
For decades now, futsal has been a popular and much-loved sporting discipline, especially in
South America and southern Europe. And while the indoor version of football is rapidly
growing in popularity elsewhere now, thanks to FIFA's patronage and the support of many
leading personalities, it is in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Portugal that
futsal has proved a breeding ground for some of the greats of the game.
The list is topped by Lionel Messi. The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and
Barcelona's all-time leading scorer took his first tentative steps with a ball in the colours of
Newell's Old Boys, although he played futsal rather than football.
As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tremendous
fun, and it really helped me become who I am today," said the 25-year-old, reflecting on the
benefits of the five-a-side version of the game.
Pele and Co convinced by futsal
Messi is by no means the only superstar with futsal roots. Apart from the Argentinian wizard,
the likes of Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Ronaldo learned the trade in the sports hall.
Cristiano Ronaldo honed his natural ability by playing futsal. During my childhood in
Portugal, all we played was futsal," he said. "The small playing area helped me improve my
close control, and whenever I played futsal I felt free. If it wasn't for futsal, I wouldn't be the
player I am today."
World and European champion Xavi revealed his love of futsal to UEFA.com, citing one
reason in particular: In futsal, you see whether a player is really talented. In normal football
you don't necessarily identify talent as easily because it's so much more physical. But with
futsal, you notice the small details in quality, class and tactical understanding."

In futsal, you see whether a player is really talented... you notice the small details in quality,
class and tactical understanding.

Spain and Barcelona star Xavi

The pool of talent produced by futsal is at its biggest in Brazil. Footballing icon Pele played
the indoor game himself: Futsal requires you to think and play fast. It makes everything
easier when you later switch to football."
Ronaldinho, Juninho, Robinho and rising star Neymar are other notable futsal products of the
2014 FIFA World Cup host nation. Arguably the most famous former Seleo icon is
Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup finals. The striker took up futsal
at the age of 12 and has fond memories of the period.
I needed extremely good feet, because you're always attempting to beat opponents in the
minimum of space. I loved the challenge of playing on such a small pitch," recalled the
former player, a member of the management board of the Local Organising Committee for
the 2014 tournament.
An emerging force
The indoor disciplines explosive growth in recent years is well illustrated by statements from
two leading pros operating in the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga.
Micah Richards, capped 13 times by England to date, used futsal to work on his ball control.
I improved my technique by playing futsal. It helps you remain more composed on the ball,"
the Manchester City right-back told BBC Sport.
And according to Germany U-21 national team captain Lewis Holtby, who also has two
senior caps to his name, futsal is the best way of learning the game. Young players in
particular can learn a huge amount from futsal," the Schalke midfielder said in a German FA
(DFB) interview. "The heavy ball means its in play for longer. Passing moves and
interchanges more often end with a goalscoring chance."
For the future, it is a cast-iron certainty that the fertile ground provided by futsal will produce
a host of the biggest names of tomorrow.