WHEN GIANTS FALL

The allure of the underdog story.

Football has always been called the beautiful game, but what makes it truly beautiful isn’t just the glittering trophies or the dominance of super-clubs. It’s the moments when the unexpected happens—when a team written off by everyone stands tall against the giants of the sport. These underdog stories are the ones that live longest in the memory, not because they happen often, but precisely because they are so rare.

Why do fans root for and connect deeply with the underdogs? Well, that’s because they see themselves in them. Most people aren’t billionaires or world-beaters; they are everyday dreamers. When a smaller club or a struggling nation rises against all odds, it feels personal—like proof that persistence, unity, and belief can topple the biggest of challenges. The drama of unpredictability also fuels the love. Fans expect Barcelona or Real Madrid to win the lot, but when someone like Leicester City or Greece does it, it’s pure shock and joy rolled into one. You can’t help but feel euphoric when underdogs win.

Some iconic underdog stories in football include:

1. Leicester City winning the Premier League in the 15/16 season

This is probably one of the maddest events in the history of the game. I mean, to think that relegation survivors in the 14/15 season would go on to win the league in the subsequent season. In hindsight, that Leicester team was stacked. They had a lethal goal scorer in Jamie Vardy, two workhorses in N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater, and a magician to pull the string in Riyad Mahrez. Under Claudio Ranieri’s stewardship, Leicester captured the imagination of the world. Their triumph wasn’t just a win; it was a football fairytale.

2. Greece winning the UEFA Euro Championship in 2004

A disciplined, organized side that nobody believed in, Greece went all the way to beat Portugal in the final. Their victory reminded fans that teamwork could overcome individual brilliance.

3. Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup in the 24/25 season

The most recent successful underdog story came at the end of last season in the FA Cup final. Manchester City faced off against a resilient Crystal Palace side led by Oliver Glasner. Palace ended their long wait for silverware and qualified for the UEFA Conference League when Eze struck in the 16th minute of the game. Palace defended superbly throughout and had to rely on Henderson's saves. Everyone had Manchester City winning the cup against the Eagles; that wasn’t the case, though. Honestly, Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup is one of the most beautiful things in the game; I can’t think of a more deserving club.

More than just shocking scoreboards, these moments captivate people all around the world. Because the underdog carries with it the universal feeling of hope, fans who would not typically care about a Greek national team or a mid-table English club find themselves cheering. These fairy tales are magnified by media narratives, which transform players into legendary figures and events into folklore. As though they were football miracles, we still talk about Leicester 2016 or Greece 2004 in amazement years later.

Modern football often feels predictable, dominated by financial powerhouses with endless resources. But underdog victories remind us of the game’s essence: that money and fame don’t always guarantee glory. They keep hope alive for every fan whose team doesn’t have billions to spend. And they prove that football remains, at its heart, a game of moments, belief, and possibility.

In conclusion, the love for underdogs is the love for football itself. They represent everything unpredictable, romantic, and inspiring about the game. And as long as the whistle blows, every fan—no matter how small their club—will believe that their team could be the next incredible underdog story.