Ever since trailblazing players like Dybala and Depay started wearing their socks in a way that had never been seen before, nothing has been the same. The way players dress on the pitch has changed significantly over the years: first the shorts, then the jerseys and finally the socks. This last item has undergone a major transformation thanks to the arrival of new generations of young, modern players who, aided by technological advances, have completely revolutionised the way socks are worn.
If we look at pictures of players like Cruyff, or even more recent figures such as Maradona or Ronaldinho, the difference is clear compared to what we see today. More and more footballers are playing with their socks pulled down to the calf. A trend that was probably started by Juventus player Dybala, and which is now seen among many footballers, including world-class players such as Depay or Rodrigo de Paul.
But why did players start wearing their match socks like this? And above all, is it useful to do so, or is it merely a matter of aesthetics?
Let’s start with the first question. It is very difficult to answer, but, like any trend or change within a specific field, it happened because a need for evolution arose, both technologically and aesthetically. These days, players no longer need to wear their socks up to their knees to cover up or protect themselves from the cold, as there are products and accessories that do the job instead. Consequently, the socks have been able to be pulled down, thereby resolving issues of comfort and aesthetics.
Is it useful to wear socks this way? Well, it’s quite a subjective and personal matter, but generally speaking it can be helpful, as this allows the calf to ‘breathe’ and get more air. This muscle group is probably one of the hardest-working and most strained during a match.It’s quite useful and makes sense because, with this method, the calf isn’t subjected to any compression. We see this particularly in training sessions, where most players wear classic cotton socks or grip socks that don’t even reach the calf, precisely for the reason mentioned above.
What about you? How do you wear your socks?
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