Ever wonder how your favourite footballer rose to success? For many footballers, it was not as simple as being scouted or joining a football academy where their only concern was the sport. Many footballers have a life filled with harsh memories, losses, financial struggles, and displacement. Their stories are inspirational as they persevered and came out of their hardship for themselves and their families. Here are some of the inspirational stories which haunt some of our favourite footballers.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 has been a rollercoaster ride for fans with lesser-known teams taking the fight to the bigger teams. Morocco have emphasised the point that no matter the obstacles, you can come out victorious at the end of the day by virtue of your determination and hard work. So let us look at 5 things that the Moroccan football team has taught us at this year’s World Cup.

The product of glorious Brazilian football genes, exceptional body control, quick reflexes, and admirable confidence on the football field come together in the form of Neymar Jr, a name that resonates all over the globe, even more so during the season of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. A remarkable goal-scorer and famed playmaker, Neymar da Silva Santos Junior’s journey seem awe-inspiring. Yet, this thirty-year-old has faced immense obstacles throughout his voyage to the top. For some dose of motivation, let us explore a few words of wisdom from the golden-haired magician himself on how to conquer your weaknesses.

Brazil vs Argentina is a hot debate in Bangladesh for sure, but another debate outweighs every other — Messi or Ronaldo? Whether you are just a seasonal football fan enjoying the matches after your four-year hiatus or a regular fan that burns the midnight oil to follow the domestic leagues, Messi vs Ronaldo debate is one that is prevalent in both.

Lionel Messi’s life and career have an array of valuable lessons for all of us. His quotes reflect being humble, being unfazed by failure, and above all, knowing the true values of humanity. These beliefs are not unique to a sport but to life. Some people believe Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer, is one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest player ever to grace the football field. The Argentine footballer did not come to his stardom easily. He started from a place of poverty and worked his way up using every opportunity that came his way.

Adored by football fans all over the world, rivals and supporters alike — Luka Modric is one of the most revered names in modern football. Easily up there amongst the all-time great midfielders, this Croatian is a shining example of a true leader. He may not look like much from the outside but on and off the pitch, he demonstrates all the qualities of a true leader.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 is enthralling the football fans of Bangladesh with nonstop exciting actions, and this time the fans are reaping the benefits of technology at its fullest by watching the matches live on websites and apps! From foreign paid apps like NBC’s Peacock, and Supersport to our local app Toffee which is streaming the World Cup exclusively for free, this time, fans are not missing even a moment’s action. But with live streaming often lagging or buffering a lot, we have 5 tips on how to watch the matches with no hassle.

The people of Bangladesh have been supporting Argentina for well over two decades since the great Maradona era which really enhanced the fanbase here in Bangladesh. The love for Argentina's national team can be dated to a specific moment and location: On June 22nd, 1986, in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca. In a triumph over England that day, Diego Maradona scored twice (the notorious "Hand of God" and a masterful dribble goal that is regarded as the best goal in tournament history), humiliating the creators of the modern game and cementing his legend.

Tameer Anwar is a household name in the bodybuilding industry of Bangladesh. He has been dominating the local scene since 2014 by winning 8 straight Mister Bangladesh titles. The pioneering bodybuilder created history last month by winning first place at the IFBB Pro League Thailand and becoming the first IFFP Pro Card holder from Bangladesh. This is huge for us as being an IFFP Pro Athlete means that Tameer is now eligible to participate in Mr Olympia, the pinnacle of men’s professional bodybuilding.

My support for Spain started from around 2018, when they had been passing a rather bad time. They crashed out of the world cup of 2018 rather meekly and the whole team seemed in shambles. From then on, I started following the team closely and could identify with them the way they came back from years of slumber and are becoming a force to be reckoned with, reaching the semi-final of Euro 2020 and the final of nation’s league, and making a strong case for this year’s World cup.

There is one thing Cristiano Ronaldo is famous for other than being one of the best players in the world and winning several titles to his name – being a fitness freak! Who else would make headlines for removing Coca-Cola bottles with international spectators watching? Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey in football is well-known, but in the process, he has also garnered a lot of attention for being a fitness enthusiast. Albeit he has been training for football since a young age, has he always pushed himself to reach peak fitness? How did he get here?

The picture of Moroccan player Achraf Hakimi interacting with his mother caringly after his team beat European giant Belgium, has to be one of the most endearing photos of this world cup so far. This poignant moment showed to us just how emotionally invested players like Hakimi are with this beautiful game. As a rising football star for years, Hakimi has garnered quite the fan following. So, let’s take a look at five things we love about Achraf Hakimi.

The Japanese football team, also known as the Samurai Blue, is raving about the World Cup stadium in Qatar in ways few expected. The discipline and coordination they carry as a nation consistently garner respect from their neighbours. Japan has all of the ingredients to be a football powerhouse: the world's third-largest economy, a population of 125 million people, a national passion for football, a prominent domestic league, and the infrastructure that comes with co-hosting its own World Cup.

With over 30 nations participating in this year’s World Cup, the field has once again become a melting pot of cultural expression. Particularly, South Korea and Brazil have made an impact in bringing a significant piece of their home to an international platform, giving fans from all over the opportunity to indulge in their cultural practices. The World Cup being watched by millions all over the globe not only presents the chance for teams to exhibit their skills, talent and sportsmanship, but also breaks cultural barriers.

Tangia Zaman Methila continues to take Bangladesh’s fashion and modeling industry to newer heights. She created history a few months back by becoming one of the first Bangladeshi models to walk in the Paris Fashion Week. Earlier this week, she won the Model of The Year International (Female) award at the British Bangladesh Fashion & Lifestyle Award 2022 ceremony, held at The Tower Hotel in London.

Tarot is a rich and profound tool that helps you attune to your own subconscious through the use of colours, imagery and symbolism. It is a deck of 78 cards which depict the entirety of the human experience. From the overarching complex themes of our lives to the day-to-day situations, such as emotions, thoughts and words, finances and motivations and beliefs - all of these are depicted in the tarot cards. The most amazing thing about tarot is that it can offer you a glimpse into the future.

While his accolades and achievements make him look far away from us, Kylian Mbappé’s words of wisdom resonate with everyone. The following quotes transcend the football field and are words we all need to hear. Values of sportsmanship, teamwork, individuality, and motivation are different for everyone. Yet, the essence of these values and how it pushes us to keep striving for what is best and right is the same for everyone.

For decades tattoos have been used to turn the human body into a canvas. For many tattoos symbolise their personal hardships and challenges, have been used to honour their families, embody their individuality in artistic forms, and act as a reminder to keep doing what they do. Footballers are no different. Many beloved football players have graced their bodies with ink with heartfelt tattoos and with sentimental value. It puts into perspective how despite the fame and glory, they remain grateful and in touch with where they started and came from.

Football fans all around the world, alongside in Europe are synonymous for their love of the term — football. It’s after all the continent where football is the undisputed number one sport, with England being the birthplace of the game. So, it can be understandable if the rest of the world also follows suit and practically sneers at anyone who uses the term, soccer.

You might be a great fan of football. A lot of people are; it’s the most popular sport on the planet for a reason, but players are even more ardent fans of the game and it’s no shocker. For us it’s a game, a thing to love. For them, it’s so much more. For the players, it’s a lifestyle. So, it’s no wonder that players love to celebrate their victories. Here are a few ways that players celebrate their victories and achievements.