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You can't begin to understand football without those first passes and first goals in the street or the school playground. Street football games are something completely magical that accompanies us from a very young age — just thinking about them takes you straight back to your childhood. Here we revisit some of the most beloved street games:
La Alemana / El Culet
One goal, one goalkeeper and several outfield players. The aim is to score — but only by volleying a ball fed to you by a teammate. If you sky it, you go in goal — hence the famous phrase "post saves". The eliminated player stands on the goal line and becomes the "target". Clearly not a game recommended when a Mikasa is involved.
El Rondo
Players form a circle and one or two defenders in the middle try to win the ball back. A nutmeg or a through-ball earns you a life and draws the olés from your teammates.
Unos Palos
A precision game requiring minimal effort but producing enormous satisfaction when you hear the sound of post, bar or corner. The aim is to hit any of those three points to beat your opponent. A game perfectly suited to those solitary afternoons when nobody else wants to come out to play. Different scores apply depending on whether you hit the post, the bar or the corner — the last being the most valuable.
Que No Caiga
Several players — usually more than two — keep the ball up in the air with the sole aim of never letting it touch the ground. Any part of the body except hands is allowed.
Un Rápido
Speed and technique. The goalkeeper rotates — if you score, the keeper stays; if you miss, you rush to get in goal. Chips are the order of the day here, and players like Totti or Raúl would undoubtedly have been the masters of this one.
Pared / Paredón
Players take it in turns, always in the same order, to strike the ball against a wall — usually into an imaginary target zone. The ball must be hit first-time and must stay within another imaginary boundary. This game is highly recommended for anyone who needs to let off steam.
De Portería a Portería / Campo a Campo
Two goals, two players — simple. Each stands in their own goal and tries to score. You can shoot from anywhere but cannot cross the halfway line.
Una Pachanga
The classic kickabout — the one where it doesn't matter if you're losing 10–0, because the last person to score wins. Sometimes, if there are multiple teams waiting, you can do a king-of-the-court format where the winning side stays on. All you need are two stones or two tracksuit tops for goalposts.
Un Mundialito / Limi
One goal, one goalkeeper and several outfield players. The keeper launches the ball over their shoulder, with their back turned, and the players must score. Those who score keep qualifying through until two remain for a 1v1 final. Players would often "call" a national team to represent with enormous pride for a few glorious minutes.
These are some of the most legendary games that football-lovers have enjoyed in childhood — keeping us sweating for hours until the sun went down or a family member called us in for dinner. The names of these games tend to vary depending on where you grew up, which only makes them more special.
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