It’s easy to watch the world’s best soccer players and wonder how the got to where they are. Who trained them? Were they born with it or did they work to earn it? Now, go ahead and do your research. You’ll find that they all took different paths to get to where they are, but all of those paths DID crossed at one point. Almost every premier soccer player used Futsal as their training ground. It improved their touch, their vision their passing. It got them better by confining the game of soccer into a smaller court. The game is faster, there is less time to make decisions and there are no walls to cover their flaws. It’s no wonder those that took to Futsal are the best, they had a huge advantage. Here are what some of the world’s top players have to say about futsal.

"A lot of the moves I make originate from Futsal and to this day my ball control is pretty much a futsal player's ball control."

RonaldinhoBrazilian National Team, 2 time FIFA Wold Player of the Year

"In Argentina, when I was a young boy, I used to play a lot of Futsal on the street and with Newell's Old Boys. It was a really fun game that's helped me a great deal."

Leo MessiArgentina National Team Captain

"In Portugal, all we played growing up was Futsal. The smaller court helped my footwork skills, the nature of the game made me feel so free when I played. If it wasn't for Futsal, I would definitely not be the player I am today."

Cristiano RonaldoPortugal National Team, Real Madrid

“I played Futsal for 2 or 3 years before I joined Santos. Futsal was important in helping to develop my ball control, quick thinking and passing … also for dribbling, balance and concentration … Futsal was very, very important, no doubt.” "In futsal you need to think quick and play quick so it's easier for you when you move to normal football (outdoor soccer)."

PeleAll-time leading scorer of the Brazil National Team

"I started playing Futsal when I was 4 years old and most of the moves I use come from playing Futsal. I played Futsal until 13 or 14 years of age before I began playing regular soccer."

RobinhoBrazilian National Team, AC Milan

"Futsal is how I really got started. This is my love, the thing that I enjoyed most." "Futsal will always be my first love."

Ronaldo1994 Brazilian National Team

"When you come to play normal football (outdoor soccer) it's easier if you've come from a futsal background."

RivelinhoFormer member of the Brazilian National Team