Blind Football: the sport that fulfills the dreams of being footballer

Football is one of the most exciting sports of all, which amazes millions and millions of people around the planet. However, the football 11 that we know is not the only one that exists. Unfortunately, not all people have had the opportunity to play football professionally or even in a friendly way, as they were born with a disability that prevented them from playing. And one of those is blindness. If we cannot see the ball, our teammates, or our opponents, we will not be able to perform properly on the field.

But the desire to be a footballer, the desire to play this wonderful and exciting sport transcends borders. This is why, in the 1930s, it was decided to create an adaptation of soccer for the blind, so that they, too, could fulfill their dreams. However, this sport was played in a very informal way, with no established rules, and with different balls. For example, initially, cans or metal objects that made noise were used. But everything changed with the creation of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) in 1981. This new organization established the definitive rules of this sport and was in charge of helping blind people to overcome their visual impairment, enhancing their self-esteem, their ability to excel, and helping them fulfill their dream of being footballers.

We will explain, in summary, the general rules of this sport:

1- The court is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. On the sides, there is a fence 1.10 meters high, to prevent the ball from going. In this way, the game is more fluid and dynamic.

2- The teams are made up of 5 players, 4 blind players and 1 sighted person, who plays as a goalkeeper. The role of the goalkeeper is not only to stop the shots but also to guide the defense with his voice so that they can defend correctly. Each goalkeeper has a small marked area of two meters towards the inside of the field of play, from which he cannot leave.

3- In addition, there is also a sixth player who does not play, but guides the forwards. The goal of this helper is to hit the football goal posts so that the striker doesn't lose track of the goal and can score a goal.

4- A sound ball made of leather or similar material, smaller, slightly heavier and with less pressure is used. The sound system must be internal and not affect the trajectory of the ball.

5- All players (except the goalkeeper) must wear goggles that completely block vision. Not all blind people have the same level of blindness, some can see lights, shadows or colors, which could mean a slight advantage for the player.

6- Players who do not have the ball must constantly shout "GO". In this way, crashes and injuries are avoided.

7- The public must remain silent except if a goal is scored.

At the club level, this sport is not yet developed, so the maximum attention is paid to matches between national teams. The three major global blind football competitions are held every four years, the Paralympic Games, the World Championships and the IBSA World Games. The countries that dominate this sport are Brazil, Argentina and Spain, since they are the teams that always reach the final or semifinals. However, Brazil is the top winner of this sport, having won all editions of the Paralympic Games and 5 world tournaments. The rest were won by Argentina.

"I went crazy. I tried to think how they could develop a complex sport with such skill if they couldn't use their eyes while I looked at them with my, healthy, scoring goals, tacos, luxuries, feints. I couldn't stop looking at them. My view there. Theirs, off. Deep and short passes, celebrations, hugs. I saw real football, played by footballers who shouted goals they couldn't see. It was impressive", explained Alejandro Ansaldi, author of the book "Futbol Ciego" (Blind Football). This book explains the history of this sport and its importance in raising morale in blind people.

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