Writers 
Football is not only a 90-minute game, For millions of people around the world it is a passion, identity, dreams, business, entertainment, and a way of life. The whistle can be blown on the pitch but the football story goes on well after the whistle.
Footballers grow into their success, as the moment you step onto a pitch is just the beginning. It starts years before by countless hours of training, discipline and sacrifice. You get up early in the morning, keep on a very strict fitness regimen, study their opponent and always try to fix their weaknesses. There is typically a long road of challenges and difficult decisions behind every spectacular goal and impressive performance.
The pressure of football is also tremendous. Players will be expected to play their best game on every occasion they play. One error in judgment can be the story of the day and one terrific play can make a player a hero. The position of a manager can be just as much as a result-driven role, which is also putting pressure on them. If there are a few poor performances, it can get criticism from its supporters, from the media and club management.
Football is a huge global enterprise off the pitch. Revenue comes from clubs from television/broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, merchandise, advertising and player transfers. Football is a vital industry with economic importance as it is watched by millions of people at major competitions. This is a player business ecosystem, which involves players, coaches, agents, sponsors, broadcasters and club owners.
But football is not all about money. It has been its most powerful weapon: passion. Supporters become very attached to their clubs. They enjoy their victories and endure defeats, and they still cheer after losses. Being a fan of a club is much more than a pastime for many it's a way of life and a community.
Football also provides opportunities for those who play it. Coaches, referees, sports journalists, photographers, physiotherapists, analysts, sports scouts, content creators, marketers and administrators all play a part in the expansion of the sport. This is to say that a football lover doesn't always have to be a professional athlete to have a career in the sport.
Young people are particularly inspired by football. A lot of youngsters aspire to be professional players and to play for their local clubs or their country. However, talent is not the only thing. There is a need for discipline, patience, good guidance, continuous learning and a capacity for dealing with failure. Every player that reaches the top also has many others whose paths take them in other directions.
Football has also changed as a result of technology. Video analysis, performance tracking, data analytics and goal-line technology have revolutionised the way teams prepare and make decisions. Social media has put players in the front row of the crowd, but it has also made them more susceptible to public scrutiny and pressure.
In the end, football is bigger than the football game. The 90 minutes are just the ones that anyone can see, the preparation and sacrifice, business, passion, pressure and opportunity are far longer and more significant.
Next time you're at a football game, observe the game without just concentrating on the goals, tackles and celebrations. Make time to reflect on the individuals, dreams, investments and sacrifices that have led to the game. Football may be played for 90 minutes, but its impact lasts far beyond the final whistle.