Why do footballers at the Club World Cup have holes in their socks?

A common sight in football matches across the world are players cutting holes in their socks and for those watching the current FIFA Club World Cup it has caused a lot of questions, as well as funny social memes.

It is something which is picked up by television cameras at matches, and some fans are quick to ridicule the players with holes in their socks. 

However, there is a very good reason as to why players partake in this as they look to gain a slight advantage over the opposition. 

 

Why do footballers cut holes in their socks during matches? 

Players will often cut holes in their socks in order to reduce pressure on the calf muscles which can be affected by the tight fitting of football socks. 

If a player has bulging leg muscles, tight socks can be restrictive and cause problems when it comes to blood flow, circulation and breathability. 

Therefore players will cut holes in their socks in an attempt to give themselves a slight edge against their opponents and also avoid any potential injuries such as cramp and calf pulls. 

Which players cut holes in their socks? 

The trend has been picked by a number of football's biggest names. 

Some of those include Brazilian superstar Neymar, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and his England teammate Kyle Walker and Chelsea's Pedro Neto.

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