Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides an overview of soccer as a global phenomenon, and of possible anthropological antecedents of sport. It focuses on the Jungian shadow, with an accompanying rationale as to why this archetype may be of relevance to the study. The game of soccer has a global following, now further bolstered by the communications media revolution. The soccer players are performers who aims at helping them deal with self-conscious feelings and adjust to working on the public stage. Some information about the typical soccer culture is given, to provide a context for the world our coresearchers inhabit. The book examines possible relevance of the topic for clinicians working in psychology, indicating the key concerns that may be relevant to all young people in the West.