All stars started somewhere, and the greatest soccer icons of our time were once just young boys with a lot of passion. If your son or nephew is of the like and has found in soccer a hobby to spend countless hours in, this list may come in handy.
Soccer is popular among just about any demographic. It depends on the age group, of course, but sometimes, up to almost half of respondents of quite broad US demographics will claim they have an interest in the sport. But soccer does not need survey to confirm its popularity. Plenty of fans know that the sport is enjoyed both by young kids who play in their leisure time, by their parents who take them to practice every weekend, and by fans who top up MLS stands at each game. In the end, supportive parents usually get their acknowledgments, both from Olympic athletes and from P&G Commercials.
In case you consider yourself a part large soccer-loving group, we have compelled a list of soccer gifts for boys, to support your sons, nephews, or little brothers in their passion. With so many people who love the sport, different lists could be made for all demographics, small girls, for example. For now, we will stick with the 7 best gifts for boys.
1. Soccer training sets
There are many ways in which you can support young boys who like soccer, like driving them to soccer practice every weekend, as you probably do already. But if you want to take the next step and help them work on their skills at home, this full training set could help.
Source: Amazon.com
It includes various items to help boys practice all their soccer skills: two goals, a standard ball, a needle-inflated pump, an agility ladder, training cones, and targets, among others. With it, you can be sure they will spend countless hours outside, and, if they are really into soccer, these extra hours apart from regular practice will surely make the difference.
2. Resistant soccer balls
Of course, no list of soccer gifts for boys would be complete without the quintessential soccer-related item: a ball. But, as this list is specifically tailored for young boys, who can be, to say the least, restless, the ball we include here must be able to withstand little lads' energy at its maximum level.
This ball, for example, is a good pick, as it is made of durable materials that retain its shape, perfect for jerky matches on hot, graveled streets on summer afternoons. You can also opt for more affordable balls, so young soccer stars can kick them without mercy, or for packs with many balls so that the loss of one will not be a great deal.
In any case, the important thing here is that you are ready for your son or nephew to absolutely destroy the ball, and to be OK with it. After all, that is what makes soccer so fun.
3. Join The Planet collectible boot
This one goes a bit off the beaten path, but trust us: it is a great soccer gift for boys. Why? Because it is inspired by one of the biggest soccer legends of all time, one that your fanaticized son or nephew will surely know about, and probably love.
This collectible shoe, designed by Join The Planet, is inspired by Lionel Messi’s iconic left boot and was designed alongside him. The so-called Genesis Edition Boot displays a replica of Messi’s signature, and comes in a protective acrylic case, perfect for displaying in young boys’ rooms.
Source: jointheplanet.earth
In case the little boy you know is interested in sustainability, or if this is a factor you consider while buying gifts, the boot is part of a sustainability effort endorsed by Messi: each cleat is made of recycled plastics and fishing nets from different rivers and seas around the world, and part of the profit goes to ecological campaigns.
Not that young boys know much about blockchain technology, but the boot also comes with a digitally encoded certificate that registers the buyer as the legitimate owner. You can even choose between two options — a third one coming soon — depending on how exclusive you want your ID token to be.
Buy the Join The Planet collectible boot starting at $200 →
4. A virtual soccer gift for boys
Formerly known as FIFA, the now called EA Sports FC 24 is a widely popular soccer video game available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. A new version of the game is released every year, and this one looks more promising than ever.
Boasting over 19,000 players from 700 teams and 100 stadiums, the game offers a lifelike virtual soccer experience. It features top-notch graphics and authentic gameplay, which was built using volumetric data from more than 180 professional men’s and women’s soccer matches, to influence and inspire player movements in the digital world.
You can choose between a standard edition and the ultimate edition, for more in-game features. That, along with the platform you are buying it for, will determine the final price. You can buy it on EA’s official website, although you may want to hang on a little bit and keep an eye out for a sale on FC 24, as EA prepares to launch EA Sports FC 25 later this year.
5. A trip to a soccer camp
Young boys are restless and energetic, so you might consider gifting them an experience instead of an object. Soccer camps are an excellent choice, especially for junior soccer fans, allowing them to engage in unique training and connect with other soccer enthusiasts.
Soccer camps typically vary in duration, time of year, and level of competitiveness. Major clubs like Chelsea FC or Liverpool offer camps with options for boys, girls, goalkeepers, and to improve performance, development, and more. But you will surely find an option closer to home — and more realistic money-wise — in a nearby community center, church, or school.
In the US, you can explore various soccer and other sports camps using the US Sports Camps official site. You can filter your search based on your age, its length, the season, and proximity to your home city.
6. Soccer trophy replicas
To make young soccer fans feel like victors, a replica of any of the most famous trophies in the world can do. You can choose between an official replication of the UEFA Champions League trophy, which European teams like Real Madrid and Milan have won on various occasions, or one inspired by the FIFA World Cup trophy, whose golden design will make young boys feel like they have real gold in their rooms.
Official replicas like those linked above can sometimes be expensive, but it is worth it when product quality is ensured.
Source: Icons.com
7. Soccer books
The good thing with books is that you can find them on every topic and for every age. Such is the case of books about soccer. You can think of gifting your boys illustrated biographies of their favorite players, like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, or the World Soccer Records 2024 guide. You can choose soccer comics, or even books written by absolute soccer stars like Pelé, depending on the age of the children you are gifting.
Soccer books are a great way of getting young boys interested in reading, by giving them something relatively easy and fun to be absorbed in. Who knew soccer could be so enriching, not only for the body but also for the mind?
Soccer gifts for boys can also support a cause
In any case, no matter if you give your son a heavy-duty ball for him to take to school and play at break time, or if you gift your nephew some collectibles to be displayed on his soccer-dedicated shelf, the important thing is that young boys feel supported on their passion for the sport.
With that said, you may want to choose good-quality, long-lasting gifts, that boys can enjoy for many years, in their journey to adulthood. The Join The Planet boot will surely do, and will be a piece of memorabilia — and a piece of Messi’s iconic legacy — that young fans will deeply cherish. You can buy it for a reasonable price on Join The Planet’s official site.
Get your own signed collectible boot by Leo Messi now.