“Why do soccer stars have holes in their cuffs? Exploring the big mystery”

Neymar, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and also the GC player Dominik Schmid, who was nominated for the national team – the list of players who play or have played with holes in their gauntlets is long. However, this is not a quality problem on the part of the manufacturer – there are deliberately cut holes in the sockets of the actors. But why is that?

The reason: The athletes want to reduce the tension on their calf muscles better and thus prevent injuries or pain at the end of a game. Dominik Schmid said in an earlier interview: “I almost lost my circulation in my lower legs. Also because the socks were new. Before the next game I thought to myself: Now I’ll put holes in it. It’s so much better for me.”

But is that really true and every amateur soccer player should have holes in their cuffs to reduce the pressure? 20 minutes asked sports doctor Stefan Fröhlich. In addition to his work at the Balgrist Clinic, the doctor is also active as a GC team doctor. Fröhlich says: “When I saw it, I asked myself if it was a fashion trend.”

The muscles swell up slightly during a game, but the low pressure exerted by the socks has no effect on cramps, explains Fröhlich. From the medical side there is no data at all. “It’s an absolute myth. If it has any effect at all, it’s the placebo effect.” After all, most muscle injuries are in the thigh. Calf injuries are significantly rarer.

According to Fröhlich, two things help against cramps. «The muscle must have what it needs at all times. That would be sufficient fluid intake and a good electrolyte balance,” says the sports doctor. In addition, the level of training is very important.

By the way, with star trainer José Mourinho there is a prominent advocate against the holes in the cuffs. “Nice socks for the beautiful game,” he wrote in an Instagram post, to which he attached numerous photos of cut socks.