The golden era of pure football entertainment seems to have faded when everyone appreciated showboating in football — a time when fans filled the stadiums or glued themselves to screens to witness a player singlehandedly dismantle defences with mesmerizing individual brilliance.
The End of Showboating in Football Bad for Game?
How often do we now see someone glide past defenders, juggling the ball with finesse, executing jaw-dropping flicks, 360-degree roulettes, hypnotic feints, snake-bite dribbles, and carving through the backline entirely on their own? Even when faced with the goalkeeper, they might finish with an audacious dink or a cheeky dribble past. That magic feels like a distant memory.
To avoid misinterpretation, modern football has its own charm, with bold tactical innovations, intricate player positioning, and a newfound appreciation for the artistry of passing. Yet, we can’t deny that it is lacking in that creative expressiveness that was once witnessed in the past.
What has caused this rather drastic decline in showboating in modern football? A confluence of factors has contributed to this shift, and we’ll explore them in detail through the following list:
Referees Fail to Protect Players Showboating in Football
Over time, we’ve observed instances where referees perceive showboating as overly zealous and unnecessary. This mindset creates a subconscious bias, leading referees to overlook fouls committed by opponents against these expressive players.
Such leniency sends the wrong message. Fouls against showboating players should be cautioned, just as they would be for any other player. However, when referees consistently fail to blow the whistle for fouls, it discourages players whose style revolves around demonstrating expressive freedom in a commanding manner. Gradually, these players reduce the frequency of their showboating, knowing they won’t receive the necessary protection on the pitch.
One of the most renowned instances of this discrimination occurred on 1 February 2020 when PSG defeated Montpellier 5–0. With 1–0 up, Neymar tried a rainbow flick, showing his flair and creativity. In response, he was fouled by an opponent. However, instead of cautioning the opposition player for the foul, French referee Jérôme Brisard astonishingly decided to caution Neymar for showboating.
The move caused an ugly confrontation between Neymar and the referee, leading to the Brazilian’s yellow card. Preposterous, isn’t it? Yet, this incident highlights the troubling direction football seems to be heading — where flair and creativity are punished rather than celebrated.
ALSO READ: The Top Tactical Formations Currently in Football
Backlash from Fans and Pundits
It’s always enjoyable when the skilful, showboating player is on your team. At the end of the day, a successful showboating attempt can ridicule the opposition and lift the spirits of fans. However, these acts of flair often provoke negative emotions, slander, and, in some unfortunate cases, racial abuse from opposing fans. While such reactions are difficult to control, the backlash doesn’t end there.
Showboating players frequently face criticism from pundits, who often label their actions as unnecessary or disrespectful. A notable example occurred during Tottenham’s 2–0 win against Nottingham Forest on August 28, 2022. Late in the game, with Tottenham leading, Richarlison performed a series of keepy-uppies with the ball. Moments later, he was taken out by a hard tackle from Brennan Johnson.
Justice was served on the pitch, with the referee issuing a yellow card for the foul. However, Richarlison faced heavy backlash from the media and pundits for his audacious move.
When players constantly encounter such criticism and hostility, it only diminishes the rate at which fans witness the flair that comes from showboating in football.
The Severe Backlash When Showboating Goes Wrong
Showboating in football is inherently a high-risk, high-reward endeavour. When executed perfectly, it can destabilize the opposition while igniting the crowd and giving fans a reason to cheer louder. But what happens when it goes wrong, leading to lost possession and potentially dire consequences for the team? Only a few players understand this better than Antony.
On October 27, 2022, during Manchester United’s 3–0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Champions League, Antony found himself at the centre of controversy. After receiving the ball, he attempted to showboat with a 720-degree spin. However, the move ended in disaster when he followed it up with a misplaced pass, losing possession. This misstep infuriated his own fans and sparked immediate criticism. The backlash extended beyond the pitch, with pundits weighing in and harshly condemning the Brazilian for attempting such a move in the first place.
This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in modern football, largely due to the increased involvement of media in the sport. Nothing stays confined to the pitch anymore; every mistake is magnified and carried into the next game, and then the one after that. With constant reminders of failed showboating attempts dominating headlines and discussions, players may begin to feel that the risk simply isn’t worth it.
Showboating is, and will always be, a controversial issue, wedged between entertainment and sportsmanship. While some enjoy the flair and imagination of showboating, seeing it as a fun aspect of the sport that makes the game entertaining. Others claim it disrespects the opposition and encourages individualism instead of teamwork. However, it’s problematic to start subconsciously discouraging acts that clearly enhance the game simply in the name of promoting sportsmanship. Unsporting behaviour will always exist in some form in the world of football, so why suppress an act that is, at its core, an integral part of the game itself?