From Bafana to Ronaldo: Why footballers are falling for padel

Bafana Bafana footballers, including Themba Zwane, Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Oswin Appollis, Linda Mntambo and Vincent Pule, are increasingly involved in padel, indicating a trend that is spreading throughout the football world. Cristiano Ronaldo, a leading figure in the sport, is among the footballers with a strong passion for padel. Former Netherlands and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has even taken his love for the game to a professional level after retiring from football.

Padel is appealing to footballers because it allows them to stay competitive without enduring another 90 minutes of tackles, sprints and physical battles. The sport is fast-paced, requiring sharp reactions and anticipation, and is typically played in doubles, adding a social aspect. For retired players, such as Arjen Robben, padel offers another outlet for the competitive instincts that defined their careers.

In South Africa, Teko Modise, a former Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana player, has remained active since retiring in 2019. He has ventured into broadcasting, ambassadorial work, business, and remains connected to the local padel scene in Johannesburg. The sport is gaining traction in South Africa, with Pretoria hosting the country's first professional Premier Padel tournament in July.

The crossover from football to padel is driven by the shared skills required in both sports, such as anticipation, reactions, movement, spatial awareness and quick decision-making. Additionally, padel offers a unique physical challenge compared to football. While not replacing football, padel is becoming the sport that a growing number of footballers turn to when their football career is over or when they simply want a different kind of game.