Was football better 25 years ago?

Football has been drastically revolutionized over the last 25 years. Some would argue that it's barely recognizable to its stripped-back grassroots game.

There is no doubt that football today is pretty amazing, with unbelievable athletes, big money transfers, and one million football games to watch whenever you like.

However, before the big transfers, ridiculous wages, and football social media stars, the 90s/00s proved to be the golden era of football for many fans.

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We will start with the lack of access to the players that made the stars seem like larger-than-life superheroes when you would eventually watch them on UEFA Champions League night.

Before elite-level football was behind a paywall, fans had the opportunity to enjoy the stars of the era on Freeview TV, starting with Channel 4 in the 90s and ITV in the 2000s, according to FourFourTwo.

In a world now dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi talk, the 90s and 00s had some of the most unique talent in football history, from Paul Gascoigne, Brazilian Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and Dennis Bergkamp.

Football today is played by real powerhouse athletes, meaning to make it in the sport, you have to be able to cover every blade of grass and be extremely good in a system.

According to The Sun, 2001 Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen said: "You used to have to have real skill and attributes to be a top player – you had to be a footballer. Now you have to be an athlete."

"Now, if you can just run a bit further than everyone else and pass the ball from A to B, then you can have a decent career in the Premier League. You don't even have to be that good anymore."

25 years ago, football had mavericks in all four corners of the globe. These players were the most exciting to watch as they were free spirits on the pitch, and you never knew what they would do when they got the ball.

The 90s and 00s saw the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Ronaldinho, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Eric Cantona create some of the greatest football memories in history. In today's game, they wouldn't be relied upon in a system to win a match.

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As reported by 888 Sport, the advancement of technology and social media has killed football, with the new stats and debates online. If Brazilian Ronaldo had been playing today, there would be a good chance he would have been crucified for his poor XG rating and lack of tracking back.

Although it's only come into play recently, the drama of VAR has made 00s football seem like a distant memory when the referees refereed the game and mistakes went for and against you naturally, rather than a computer still making a dodgy call.

Before frantic VAR checks and players falling at any contact, games were full-blooded and passionate, with Manchester United and Arsenal's rivalry being a key example. Football had more fire and passion, and players had a larger will to win.

It's impossible to talk about football 25 years ago and not talk about the kits. The 90s and 00s were the first era in which fashion and football came together, with giant collars, stripey kits, and the evolution of football boots.

The 90s was the first time it was safe for families to go and watch football after the 1980s were a real dark period for hooliganism and violence at the games.

According to 888 Sport, the introduction of Sky Sports made the game seem more glamorous for the viewer, and it gave the game a new influx of money that could attract foreign talent overseas to make the game more competitive and of higher quality.

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So football has definitely changed in the last two decades – as most sports have – but is it for the better? What do you think?