Around the world, there are many high-ranking leaders, heads of state, who have a passionate love for football, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel or Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
The appeal of football to life is undeniable; every match attracts the attention of a large number of fans. The love for the beautiful game seems to know no boundaries, regardless of gender or class, and regardless of war or terrorism.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, despite being a woman, has a passionate love for football. She always makes time to attend matches featuring the German national team in any international tournament.
Last year, the bloody terrorist attack in Paris, where a friendly match between the French and German national teams was taking place, left 129 people dead and injured. This led to the possibility of the subsequent friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands being postponed. However, Chancellor Merkel herself announced that the match would go ahead as scheduled, as a declaration of war against terrorists.
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| Chancellor Merkel has always stood by the German national team at international tournaments. |
Chancellor Merkel isn't the only one with a love for football; many world leaders also have a special interest in the sport. Cuban leader Fidel Castro said he had been following English football matches since the 1970-1971 season, while Queen Elizabeth II was an Arsenal fan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is also a big football fan and was a supporter of Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup, as well as a member of the bid committee. Bolivian President Evo Morales even considered playing for the Sports Boys team in his country's national league.
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| Bolivian President Morales once dreamed of becoming a football player. |
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| Former Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro regularly watched the England national team play and was a close friend of Diego Maradona. |
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| British Prime Minister David Cameron is a true Aston Villa fan. |
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| The late Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, was a friend of Maradona and a passionate football and baseball player. |
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| The late South African president, Nelson Mandela, played a major role in bringing the World Cup to Africa for the first time in 2010. |
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| Former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (center) is a fan of Corinthians FC. |
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| Russian President Putin supports the country hosting the 2018 World Cup. |
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| French President François Hollande (in black) was present at the Stade de France on the night of the terrorist attacks in Paris. |
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| Queen Elizabeth II presented the World Cup trophy to the England team at the 1966 World Cup. She was also a loyal Arsenal fan. |
According to bongdaplus
