A Global Phenomenon
A Global Phenomenon
Algeria
Leicester City's Premier League title success has been celebrated in Algeria because of one man - Riyad Mahrez. Not many had heard of the Foxes from Leicester before the start of the season, the only Foxes that were known in Algeria were the Desert Foxes, which is the nickname of the Algerian national team. But now, Leicester City shirts are sold in markets across the country and, of course, most of the shirts have Mahrez written on the back. The number of Leicester shirts is now rivalling Barcelona and Real Madrid shirts on the streets of Algiers. The President of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, spoke on national television about Mahrez's success. He thanked Mahrez for inspiring millions of children in Algeria and making them proud.
"You deserve our congratulations for filling Algeria, the Arab world and Africa with pride." Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria.
Austria
The captain of Austria, Christian Fuchs, signed for Leicester on a free transfer at the beginning of the season and the right-back has played a huge part in the team's success. He is seen as the joker in the dressing room and has his own online video series. In one of the videos, Fuchs and his Leicester teammate, Robert Huth, play a game where they have to hit the ball as hard as they can at each other's backsides. In another game, Fuchs and Jamie Vardy play a game called Russian Egg Roulette, where they smash eggs on each other's head! But, Fuchs is not the only Austrian connection. At the beginning of the season, Leicester had their pre-season tour in Austria, in a small town called Bad Radkersburg. Well, it certainly wasn't a bad place for this Leicester journey to begin!
"Leicester are everyone's second favourite team, if not their favourite team. It is something different, something people are getting excited about, not just in England but around the world." Christian Fuchs, Leicester City and captain of Austria.
Japan
In Japan, Shinji Okazaki's arrival at Leicester City was big news and the Japanese media stayed with the Leicester story all season. Leicester City became more and more famous in Japan as the season progressed. It became a common sight to see Japanese fans at the King Power Stadium (Leicester's home ground) supporting Okazaki and the Foxes. The interest only grew in Okazaki's home country when the Japanese striker scored a fantastic overhead kick to win a match against Newcastle (1-0) in March. All Leicester City matches have been broadcast live by Japanese television and the Foxes popularity is starting to rival that of Manchester Utd and Arsenal.
"Goals such as Okazaki's exquisite overhead kick in March helped Leicester keep up a momentum they never lost." NHK - Japanese TV broadcaster.
Italy
Italy is a proud football country with huge teams such as Juventus, Roma and the two Milan clubs, but even here there has been a lot of news about Leicester City's amazing story and how their Italian manager, Claudio Ranieri, took the Foxes to the Premier League title. Ranieri had never won a league title in his career, the closest he had come were second place finishes in Italy (twice), England and France, but this season that all changed. On the day Leicester City celebrated their title victory with a win against Everton (3-1), over a thousand Claudio Ranieri fans arrived in Leicester to celebrate. More than five hundred of them arrived in organised coaches and a further five hundred in private cars from all over Italy. Later that week, the Italian Football Federation awarded Ranieri with the award of Italian Coach of the Year.
"Honestly, I still haven't realised what we've done. We started off just trying to avoid relegation and you saw what happened." Claudio Ranieri, speaking after collecting the Enzo Bearzot Award for Italian Coach of the Year.
Ghana
It may have gone slightly unnoticed but Leicester's title success means Ghana now has three Premier League title winners. Before this season, the only Premier League winner from Ghana was Michael Essien, who won the Premier League twice with Chelsea. But now, Leicester's Jeffrey Schlupp and Daniel Amartey are also Ghanaian Premier League winners and interest in Ghana is also growing. Schlupp has played a big part in Leicester's success, making 23 appearances for the Champions, while Amartey arrived in the January transfer window to provide backup for N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater in midfield. Support for Leicester is already growing in the Black Star state and with two Ghanaians in the squad, expect support to grow when they take their place in the Champions League next season.
"I believe Jeffrey Schlupp is one of the key members for the Leicester team." Stephen Appiah, ex-captain of Ghana.
Thailand
Leicester City is big news news in Thailand. This is largely thanks to Leicester's owner, Thai businnessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who owns King Power. King Power is a business that runs airport shops all over Thailand and also sponsors Leicester City's shirts. If you visit an airport in Thailand, you will see pictures of Jamie Vardy everywhere. But, last year it was a different story. This time last year, there was little interest in Leicester and the club shop in Bangkok was empty most of the tme. This year, however, the shop has sold out of Leicester shirts and has had to import more from the UK. Interest in the Premier League is massive in Thailand and Leicester, because it is a Thai-owned club, are winning new fans and even Manchester Utd and Liverpool fans have adopted Leicester as their second team and are cheering for them. When Leicester played Everton recently there were 1,500 Leicester supporters outside the King Power offices in Bangkok. They had a banner which read 'Leicester City - Thailand's Team'.
"I feel very happy that Thais can create something great and that Leicester can make people more familiar with Thais." Leicester fan in Thailand.
Quiz
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What do you think?
- Are there any Leicester fans in your country? Are they becoming more popular?
- Which Premier League team is most popular in your country?
- Is the Premier League more or lesss popular than the league in your country? Is this a good or a bad thing?
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Komentar
18/05/2022
points
Liverpool is most popular in my country. Premier League less popular than "Süper Lig". It's a preference of football lovers.I can't make comment.
Continuity of success is one of main criteria to make decision about a team. Generally compatriots identify players with their teams.It became a common sight to see fans with country flags at the stadiums. It's incomprehensible mystry why the manager who got league title to be changed just before the next season.
18/05/2022 18:07
Tottenham Hotspur
5560
Liverpool is most popular in my country. Premier League less popular than "Süper Lig". It's a preference of football lovers.I can't make comment.
Continuity of success is one of main criteria to make decision about a team. Generally compatriots identify players with their teams.It became a common sight to see fans with country flags at the stadiums. It's incomprehensible mystry why the manager who got league title to be changed just before the next season.
26/03/2021
points
I think there are, but in Brazil we are used to support local teams. Watching foreign football helps us to keep seeing our players, but I don't think it had already become a club passion such as we have with our clubs.
Man Utd, certainlly.
PL is less popular than Brasileirão. But as long as the years pass and the TV cover is becoming most powerful, PL is gaining more fans every day.
26/03/2021 15:22
Arsenal
1512
I think there are, but in Brazil we are used to support local teams. Watching foreign football helps us to keep seeing our players, but I don't think it had already become a club passion such as we have with our clubs.
Man Utd, certainlly.
PL is less popular than Brasileirão. But as long as the years pass and the TV cover is becoming most powerful, PL is gaining more fans every day.
30/06/2020
points
Good
30/06/2020 23:49
Newcastle United
1505
Good
30/06/2020
points
Good
30/06/2020 23:14
Newcastle United
1505
Good
13/05/2020
points
People in Turkey tend to support the local teams mostly the giant teams here are Galatasaray , Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş but for me personally I only support Man United and the Turkish national team for sure :)
13/05/2020 04:45
Manchester United
6539
People in Turkey tend to support the local teams mostly the giant teams here are Galatasaray , Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş but for me personally I only support Man United and the Turkish national team for sure :)
13/05/2020
points
I think the most popular PL teams in Turkey are Arsenal and Manchester United probably because these are my brother's and my favourite teams respectively :)
13/05/2020 04:43
Manchester United
6539
I think the most popular PL teams in Turkey are Arsenal and Manchester United probably because these are my brother's and my favourite teams respectively :)
13/05/2020
points
They are quite few fans for Leicester in Turkey but they have grown as a base here after winning the EPL
13/05/2020 04:41
Manchester United
6539
They are quite few fans for Leicester in Turkey but they have grown as a base here after winning the EPL
26/11/2019
points
No, there isn´t
Manchester united
Wolves
26/11/2019 02:46
Wolverhampton Wanderers
435
No, there isn´t
Manchester united
Wolves
20/11/2019
points
There are no many, but lots of people wanted them to win the premier League because they are kind of heroes due to their performance during the tournament and because they are a small team.
I believe the most popular team in Venezuela is Manchester United.
The Premier is more popular than our league. I hope it changes soon, we have been forming many good players
20/11/2019 00:18
Liverpool
581
There are no many, but lots of people wanted them to win the premier League because they are kind of heroes due to their performance during the tournament and because they are a small team.
I believe the most popular team in Venezuela is Manchester United.
The Premier is more popular than our league. I hope it changes soon, we have been forming many good players
17/04/2017
points
1- Yes, there are
2- Liverpool
3- EPL is more popular
17/04/2017 09:29
Liverpool
2903
1- Yes, there are
2- Liverpool
3- EPL is more popular
27/07/2016
points
PL is the most popular league in Montenegro. I also think that even the Championship is more popular than some other european leagues. After the Premier league comes Bundesliga and Primera. Seria A used to have the most fans in the 90-ies but that is not the case now.
27/07/2016 15:22
Arsenal
3557
PL is the most popular league in Montenegro. I also think that even the Championship is more popular than some other european leagues. After the Premier league comes Bundesliga and Primera. Seria A used to have the most fans in the 90-ies but that is not the case now.
27/07/2016
points
In my country the most popular PL team is Man.Utd I think.
27/07/2016 15:17
Arsenal
3557
In my country the most popular PL team is Man.Utd I think.
27/07/2016
points
It seems like the interest for Leicester is growing all around the world. I don't think there are many fans of Leicester in my country but people like see them winning.
27/07/2016 15:17
Arsenal
3557
It seems like the interest for Leicester is growing all around the world. I don't think there are many fans of Leicester in my country but people like see them winning.
24/07/2016
points
The premier league is more popular than the local league, i think it is good thing.
24/07/2016 19:05
Liverpool
3705
The premier league is more popular than the local league, i think it is good thing.
24/07/2016
points
The most popular teams are Liverpool and Man United.
24/07/2016 19:03
Liverpool
3705
The most popular teams are Liverpool and Man United.
24/07/2016
points
No there are not a lot of them, but the number of Leicester fans is growing.
24/07/2016 19:03
Liverpool
3705
No there are not a lot of them, but the number of Leicester fans is growing.
23/06/2016
points
yes of course a lot of them.
don't care.
23/06/2016 13:12
Manchester City
1734
yes of course a lot of them.
don't care.
31/05/2016
points
I'm not sure at all, but I think that Chelsea is the most popular Premier League team inTunisia. Like as said before, Barça and Ream Madrid are the most famous teams here. When Barcelone play, the coffees are full places.
31/05/2016 18:04
Newcastle United
3189
I'm not sure at all, but I think that Chelsea is the most popular Premier League team inTunisia. Like as said before, Barça and Ream Madrid are the most famous teams here. When Barcelone play, the coffees are full places.
31/05/2016
points
As, Leicester City is becoming more well-known all over the world, I think that they gain more fans. Honestly, I don't know if they are popular in Tunisia, but I'm sure that most Algerians have became Leicester city fans.
31/05/2016 17:57
Newcastle United
3189
As, Leicester City is becoming more well-known all over the world, I think that they gain more fans. Honestly, I don't know if they are popular in Tunisia, but I'm sure that most Algerians have became Leicester city fans.
22/05/2016
points
1.This season a lot of Leicester fans do appear in Algiers and all the country. In Charras Street, Algiers, there is even an organisation of deaf and not speaking people who are Leicester's fans.
2.Definetly Leicester still this season.
3.Premier League is very popular in Algeria but not as our First League. It is a good thing for football and for our country because we can see in TV great football matches and we can learn a lot about football, its organisation and lifestyle.
22/05/2016 11:54
Manchester City
3988
1.This season a lot of Leicester fans do appear in Algiers and all the country. In Charras Street, Algiers, there is even an organisation of deaf and not speaking people who are Leicester's fans.
2.Definetly Leicester still this season.
3.Premier League is very popular in Algeria but not as our First League. It is a good thing for football and for our country because we can see in TV great football matches and we can learn a lot about football, its organisation and lifestyle.
20/05/2016
points
The premier league used to be more popular than the ghana premier league until this season. The ghana premier league has gained some popularity now due to the active match hype using social media of which most of the youth are attracted to; Facebook, Twitter and instagram.
20/05/2016 14:33
Manchester United
4779
The premier league used to be more popular than the ghana premier league until this season. The ghana premier league has gained some popularity now due to the active match hype using social media of which most of the youth are attracted to; Facebook, Twitter and instagram.
20/05/2016
points
In ghana, the fan Base of the premier league teams are quite even with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool being just a little above the average.
20/05/2016 14:30
Manchester United
4779
In ghana, the fan Base of the premier league teams are quite even with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool being just a little above the average.
20/05/2016
points
It's an undisputed fact that Ghanaians are extremely happy for leicester city f.c because of the presence of the two Ghanaian internationals. Lots of people are now in active support of Leicester city.
20/05/2016 14:28
Manchester United
4779
It's an undisputed fact that Ghanaians are extremely happy for leicester city f.c because of the presence of the two Ghanaian internationals. Lots of people are now in active support of Leicester city.