Explained: Why some England players had holes in their socks at Euro 2024?

Members of the England men’s football team not only captured the imagination of fans back home with their on-field heroics in Euro 2024, reaching the final for a second consecutive time only to fall short yet again, they also left a few scratching their heads with a unique fashion choice.

Players such as Bukayo Saka, Conor Gallagher and Jude Bellingham were seen wearing socks that had holes in them, sparking discussions among followers on the sport on various social media platforms and discussion websites including X.

And it’s not just the England men’s team; players from other teams — both at the club as well as international level — have been spotted with holes in their socks.

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So what is the reason behind this strange fashion choice among footballers?

Why do some footballers have holes in their socks?

It’s not that top footballers cannot afford to buy a new pair of socks, and end up having to wear worn-out ones. Instead, the socks that go all the way up to a player’s knee can be uncomfortable to wear and restrict blood flow, especially around their calves, by being too tight.

Given how crucial a role fitness players in professional sport, players leave no stone unturned to ensure they remain in peak shape for as long as possible throughout their career, and that they are able to quickly recover from an inevitable injury or two and get back on the pitch.

Tight socks thus would be a matter of concern even if it appears trivial at the surface level, as a result of which some opt to bring out a pair of scissors and cut holes in them in order for them to be more comfortable.

“The socks were actually too tight so it was causing pressure on my calves. It was just to release my calves - or release the tension. I just cut holes in them and all of a sudden I had a few alright games, and I was like, ‘Ok, I’m keeping this now!” England and Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker had explained back in 2021.

What happened in the Euro 2024 final?

The England men’s football team suffered yet another heartbreak on Sunday, falling short of a trophy yet again with a 2-1 defeat against Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

Cole Palmer helped the ‘Three Lions’ go level with their opponents with a superb 73rd minute strike from outside the box after Nico Williams had broken the deadlock and put the Luis de la Fuente-managed side ahead two minutes into the second half.

Read | Youngsters inspire Spain to record fourth title as Yamal and Williams standout

Mikel Oyarzabal, however, fired the winner with four minutes left in regulation time, putting in a slide inside the box to redirect the ball past Jordan Pickford off Marc Cucurella’s low cross from the left, resulting in La Roja winning the continental event for the fourth time.

Gareth Southgate’s men and their fans were left heartbroken once again as a result, having finished Euro runners-up for the second consecutive time besides a semi-final finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.