If you grew up playing youth soccer in America, a core memory may be lining up before the game and tapping your heavy, oversized, and uncomfortable shin guards for the referee. Yet, if you turn on a professional soccer game, you may notice something: some players wear tiny shin guards! As funny as shin guards the size of an Airpods case appear on television, I wholly support one look: small shin guards and short socks.
Note: This is not a common look in the professional game, so if you need a visual, look up “Memphis Depay Socks”.
The look challenges the status quo of the soccer uniform as, for more than a century, players have worn knee-high socks with little variation. Thus there is something rebellious about a player sporting the low-socks, low-shin-guards combination. This rebelliousness typically translates to the playing style and character of the player; most players bold enough to sport this combination are dynamic and technically gifted. Such players naturally stand out on the pitch, so crowds expect something different — something that justifies a player’s disregard for their shin health. And, whether it’s effortlessly gliding past three players on the dribble or scoring goals beautiful enough to feature in the Louvre, short-sock players usually deliver.
Few players successfully pull off the look — Manchester City’s Jack Grealish is another excellent example. However, a successful low-sock, low-shin-guard look signals danger for the opposition and anticipation for the crowd. Perhaps my affection for this style is merely
