Soccer (or fútbol, as it’s known in Spanish-speaking countries) is more than just a sport—it’s a cultural phenomenon. Whether you’re a player, coach, or just a fan, knowing Spanish soccer vocabulary will help you understand the game better and connect with Spanish-speaking players and fans.
In this guide, we’ll cover essential soccer terms, common expressions, and even regional variations. Let’s kick off!
Basic Soccer Vocabulary in Spanish
Positions (Posiciones)
- Portero / Arquero – Goalkeeper
- El portero atajó el penal. (The goalkeeper saved the penalty.)
- Defensa – Defender
- El defensa marcó al delantero. (The defender marked the forward.)
- Centrocampista / Mediocampista – Midfielder
- El centrocampista dio una asistencia perfecta. (The midfielder gave a perfect assist.)
- Delantero – Forward / Striker
- El delantero anotó un golazo. (The striker scored an amazing goal.)
Actions (Acciones)
- Patear / Chutar – To kick / shoot
- Chutó desde fuera del área. (He shot from outside the box.)
- Pasar – To pass
- Pasó el balón al extremo. (He passed the ball to the winger.)
- Driblar / Regatear – To dribble
- Messi dribló a tres defensas. (Messi dribbled past three defenders.)
- Marcar (un gol) – To score (a goal)
- Ha marcado dos goles en el partido. (He has scored two goals in the match.)
- Taclear / Entrar fuerte – To tackle
- El defensa entró fuerte y le quitó el balón. (The defender tackled hard and took the ball.)
Game Elements (Elementos del Juego)
- Balón / Pelota – Ball
- Cancha / Campo – Field / Pitch
- Arco / Portería – Goal
- Fuera de juego – Offside
- El árbitro cobró fuera de juego. (The referee called offside.)
- Tiro libre – Free kick
- Ronaldo va a patear el tiro libre. (Ronaldo is going to take the free kick.)
- Penal – Penalty
- El árbitro señaló un penal. (The referee awarded a penalty.)
Common Soccer Expressions & Slang
General Expressions
- ¡Golazo! – An amazing goal!
- ¡Qué chilena! – What a bicycle kick!
- Está en offside – He’s offside.
- Juego sucio – Dirty play / Foul play
- Tirarse a la piscina – To dive (pretend to be fouled)
- El jugador se tiró a la piscina. (The player dove.)
Encouragement & Reactions
- ¡Vamos! – Let’s go! / Come on!
- ¡Dale! – Go for it! (Common in Argentina)
- ¡Mete ese gol! – Score that goal!
- ¡Qué jugadón! – What a great play!
Insults & Complaints
- ¡Robo! – Robbery! (Used when fans think the referee is unfair)
- ¡Árbitro vendido! – Corrupt referee!
- ¡Era penal! – That was a penalty!
Regional Variations in Soccer Vocabulary
Spanish soccer terms can vary by country. Here are some key differences:
| Term | Spain | Mexico | Argentina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Portero | Portero / Arquero | Arquero |
| Field | Campo | Cancha | Cancha |
| Soccer | Fútbol | Fútbol | Fútbol (but sometimes “fulbo” in slang) |
| Jersey | Camiseta | Playera | Remera |
| Soccer shoes | Botas | Tacos | Botines |
Example Sentences:
- Spain: El portero llevaba una camiseta roja. (The goalkeeper wore a red jersey.)
- Mexico: El arquero tiene unos tacos nuevos. (The goalkeeper has new cleats.)
- Argentina: El jugador se puso los botines para el partido. (The player put on his soccer shoes for the match.)
Final Tips for Learning Soccer Spanish
- Watch games in Spanish – Listen to commentators for real-life usage.
- Play FIFA in Spanish – A fun way to pick up vocabulary.
- Join soccer forums – Engage with native speakers.
- Practice with teammates – If you play, try using Spanish terms during practice.
Now you’re ready to talk soccer like a true hincha (fan)! ⚽
