These days, football is one of the most popular sports in the world. Given that Neil Armstrong wanted to take a football to the Moon, we could even say that it is also the most popular sport out of this world! The history of the game goes back over two thousand years to Ancient China. It was then known as cuju(kick ball), a game using a ball of animal skins with hair inside. Goals were hung in the air. Football as we know it today started in Great Britain, where the game was given new rules.

That football is such a simple game to play is perhaps the basis of its popularity. It is also a game that is very cheap to play. You don't need expensive equipment; even the ball doesn't have to cost much money. All over the world you can see kids playing to their hearts 'content with a ball made of plastic bags; just like Pele did when he was a boy.

Another factor behind football's global popularity is the creativity and excitement on the field. It is fun enough to attract millions of people. You do not have to be a fan to recognize the skill of professional player-how they use their bodies to pass, score and defend can be amazing to see-or to feel the excitement of a game ending with a surprising twist.

What's more, football has become one of the best ways for people to communicate: it does not require words, but everyone understands it. It breaks down walls and brings people together on and off the field. Take, for example, the famous football game on Christmas Day 1914. World War I had broken out months before, but British and German soldiers put down their guns and played football together-one moment of peace to remember during years of conflict.

“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, ...... “said Bill Shankly, the famous footballer and manager. “I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” This might sound funny, but one only has to think about the Earth to realize that our planet is shaped like a football.

Tony and I were in our school basketball team, the Lions. We loved basketball and were both huge fans of the NBA. When we weren’t playing on the court, we were watching a game on TV. My favourite player was LeBron James while Tony’s was Tyrone Bogues.

Bogues was only 1.6 metrest all, which made him the shortest player ever in the NBA. Guess what? Tony was only 1.6metrest all, too! Tony knew that being shorter than other players meant that he had to practise more. During all those hours of doing jump shots on his own, he used Bogues as his inspiration. Tony once said, “If Bogues could make it, why not me?”

But our coach was not so sure. Tony had to tryout many times just for making the team. He was still usually on the bench(场边休息区), being just a replacement. Everyone knew Tony had real skills, and was someone who worked really hard and had a strong desire to play for the team. However, Tony didn’t get a chance.

This week, the Lions were playing our main competitors, the Bears, a team whose record this season had been perfect. They hadn’t lost a single game.

The last quarter began, and my team was behind by 10 points. Suddenly, a player and I crashed into each other. Pain raced through my body. My knee hurt badly. “I don’t think I can play anymore, coach,” I said quietly as the doctor put an icepack on my knee.

“No way,” the coach replied sharply. “We’ve got no more players!”