Soccer fans come in all shapes: from bald men with a beer in hand at live games, to pony-tailed girls practicing footwork at soccer camps. If you know any of the latter, here is a list of gifts and toys to support them in their passion.
The global standing of women in soccer is continually rising, and reaching new, astonishing figures. According to the 2023 FIFA Women’s Football Survey, 16.6 million women and girls play organized soccer, representing a 19% growth compared to the 2019 survey.
There is still room for the numbers to increase — for example, only 5% of soccer coaches and 9% of referees are female — but already a good number of women have found a spot in the world of the most influential sport, and figures are expected to grow higher. In this context, supporting little girls who are passionate about this activity is key. That is why we have gathered a list of the best soccer gifts for girls.
1. Knee pads and protectors
One of the biggest issues with soccer is that it may be a source of serious injury if practiced inadequately. Women are especially prone to suffer some accidents while engaging in soccer activity: they are more than twice as likely as males to sustain an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. It’s true that women, rather than girls, are more prone to tearing their ACL, and that girls typically don’t require surgery. But gifting them gear so they can start protecting their knees from a young age is still a good idea.
There are many ways to protect young girls from this type of problem, like encouraging warm-ups and practicing landing skills, but knee pads can add another layer of protection. There are tons of options online, like these, for younger girls, which will also work for skating and scootering, or this knee stabilizer, probably more suited for teenagers.
2. Headbands
Going on with the idea of soccer gifts for girls that will actually solve some of their problems while practicing the sport, a headband is a go-to element. Although short hair is highly fashionable, many young girls wear it long, which can obstruct the view and make the sweat situation a bit more complicated.
Again, there are many options available, from thin, almost chic ones, to wider ones, better for girls with large amounts of hair.
3. FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup memorabilia
Just like the men’s version of the tournament, the FIFA Women’s World Cup is held every four years. The most recent one happened in 2023, in Australia and New Zealand, and although it is already over — and, therefore, much of its hype forgotten — it still left some pretty cool memorabilia that can inspire young girls, and that can act as a keepsake of women’s ability in sports.
You can gift your small daughter or niece an official Tazuni plush toy, which was the she-penguin mascot of the tournament, or the Oceaunz training ball, inspired by the official ball that was used for the Cup. Both of these items will remind young girls that their passion is shared by millions of other women around the world.
Source: YouTube
4. Soccer jerseys
What better way of supporting young soccer fans than gifting them something they can use for everyday practice? Jerseys are, without a doubt, one of the must-haves for every soccer zealot, and they have become fashionable items as well. They come in a beautiful variety of colors and designs.
You can gift young girls a jersey with the name of Sam Kerr, an Australian soccer player who is considered one of the world’s best, printed on it. She wears the quirky marbled blue Chelsea shirt and the green-and-yellow Australia national jersey.
Source: The New Yorker
If you are gifting to a younger girl with a fondness for pink and purple colors, you can think about giving them the Inter Miami jersey, or the Real Madrid purple shirt, which might be more visually appealing for them at first glance.
5. Soccer gifts for girls to go training
Some gifts will be deeply appreciated by girls who want to train extra hours, outside regular practice. After all, the road to success is rough, and those who wish to become professionals will have to go the extra mile.
You can support your daughter or little sister by buying portable goals that she can install in the backyard, at a park, or at the beach, and perhaps even by performing as a goalkeeper yourself, while she practices her aim and kicks.
Or you can give her a full training set, that comes with other gadgets as well as goals, like cones, training ladders, and balls. With these ideas, you can make sure she remembers you when she reaches soccer’s hall of fame.
6. Soccer books
The history of women’s soccer is an inspiring one, due to social and economic restrictions that stopped it from becoming a mainstream sport. Far from being a harsh topic, this story can motivate and encourage young female superstars, and it can be told at different levels of difficulty, for girls of all ages.
Like this easy-going version of the US women’s national soccer team, or this guide to the greatest female stars in history. Simply put: soccer is a passion that lives in muddy fields and in bedtime stories alike.
7. A set of toys
If you are searching for a gift for little girls, probably aged around 3 to 6, this set of soccer toys may be a great option. It comes with 24 players, a field, an oversized ball, and two goals, for young fans to play and create matches. It is also a great way of passing parents’ love of soccer to their daughters, as well as a way of teaching them about positions, rules, and tactics.
Source: kaskeykids.com
8. Shoe shiners
Soccer practice can get muddy, so a good soccer gift for girls is one that allows them to clean the mess afterward. A shower and a washing machine will do for most of the body and clothes, but cleats are a different story, as the machine will damage them.
To keep the boots neat and clean, you can give your girl a shoe cleaner, ideal for using on delicate materials like PVC, leather, suede, and smooth rubber. It runs on battery, not on electricity, so she can take it to her matches and remove the grass, sweat and tears from the boots, before putting them away.
9. A collectible boot
Women’s passion for soccer is not only derived from watching other women play. Let's not lie to ourselves: male soccer, due to its scope and size, inspires millions of girls worldwide as well. That is why this soccer gift inspired by Lionel Messi, arguably one of the best soccer players of our time, has made it to this list.
This exclusive collectible shoe, created by Join The Planet and designed alongside the superstar, was inspired by Messi’s iconic left boot. The Genesis Edition Boot has a replica of Messi’s signature, and its beautiful blue and orange colors make it a perfect piece of memorabilia to display on a shelf, protected by its acrylic case.
Source: Jointheplanet.earth
Girls may have other role models apart from the soccer scene, like naturalists Jane Goodall and Greta Thunberg. If such is the case, you can remind them that this boot is made of recycled plastics and fishing nets that were recovered from rivers and seas around the world.
And if they happen to be tech-savvy, it is good to know that the collectible shoe comes with a digital certificate of authenticity encoded on blockchain, that registers the legitimacy of its ownership. Plus, you can choose between two options — a third one coming soon — depending on how exclusive you want your ID token to be. You can buy this piece of memorabilia, starting at $200, on the Join The Planet official site.
Buy inspiring gifts for future stars
Young girls have the determination to become whatever they want, so if they are now passionate about soccer, they may very well become professional players in the future. That is why it is better to buy gifts that inspire them, either by helping them train more or by showcasing the life and legacy of the greatest soccer stars. And when such iconic items are official and come at a reasonable price, everybody wins. Buy the Join The Planet collectible boot right now.
Buy your own signed collectible boot by Leo Messi now.