I have been several times in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, both in the center and in the small towns. Everywhere you can see soccer fields, everywhere. Most of them also light up at night, if you want you can play 24/7. Compared to other countries I have been to, their football culture is very different. In most countries, children are rarely seen playing in the street at night, they are at home playing video games, watching TV or sitting in front of the computer. In the Netherlands it is very common for their parents to send them to play, they play with everything. You see kids on every corner playing soccer, juggling, or trying out a few tricks. On each court there will most likely be a couple of children playing.

In the Netherlands, street football is very big, VERY big! They have monthly street tournaments with trophies and money. Freestyle soccer is also great, but far from the level of street soccer. Street footballers are even recognized on the streets of Holland. Some street players have achieved great fame thanks to their skills. They are not rich or anything like that, but the underground scene has given them fame. Terms like “akka” and “panna” are known to every child in the Netherlands, at least 9 out of 10. They are street terms for some soccer moves.

Futbal is also big in Holland. I went to a couple of games (1st and 2nd division) and there is always a pretty big crowd watching, sometimes even packed depending on the players playing. If a team has a famous street footballer on their team, it can get crowded just because of that. People want the entertainment that this individual will give them. The skills those guys play with are insane!

There are some Dutch national team players who grew up on the street courts in Holland. The most famous would be Edgar Davids. He comes from the street and still plays a lot there. He even built his own court in Holland where children can play. He also organizes a street tournament and is in the “Monta” street soccer clothing company.

What I have seen so far is that the Netherlands is ahead of all other countries with street football (note I haven’t been to Brazil, they will most likely match the Netherlands if they don’t beat them).