FOF Director Luke Ballinger

100 England caps, standing alongside some of the greats…

England’s record-breaking futsal captain Luke Ballinger and FOF Director collected his golden cap marking 100 appearances in front of a capacity Wembley crowd on Tuesday Nov 14. 

Luke Ballinger, who holds the record for the most England futsal appearances, caps and goals, received the honour at half time in front of 90,000 fans as the England senior team takes on Brazil in a friendly. 

Luke has played for England fusal since 2007, clocking up 60 goals including four hat-tricks, skippering the team 60 times. He is the first England futsal player to reach the milestone of 100 caps, which he achieved in a game against Germany away in 2017. 

“It’s was unbelievable honour to collect my golden cap at Wembley, the home of English football. Stepping out on that pitch in front of 90,000 people was incredible. I couldn’t have imagined this is where futsal would have taken me when I started playing”.

“It’s been an incredible privilege not only to represent my country, but to captain the team and travel the world to play.” 

Futsal is a form of 5-a-side football played on a hard court with a small, harder ball than regular football. Substitutions are unlimited across two 20 minute halves, and the fast-paced games emphasise passing, creativity and technique. 

Originating in South America, some of the world’s best players began playing futsal, including superstars Ronaldo, Messi, and Coutinho. 

“I believe that futsal is an ideal basis to develop players’ technical skills, because of the fast-paced nature of the game and the small court. Players need time on the ball to develop and that’s what futsal offers. It’s crucial for young players have as much time with the ball at their feet as possible, instead of chasing it around a huge field, so they can build confidence, decision making and all important technical skills – which we know English football players have been accused of lacking for years. 

“Alongside technical skills-based games and exercises, small futsal games provide the opportunity to develop the technique that will serve a player throughout their playing life, something I and Future of Football are absolutely passionate about. I’d love to see the game become more-and-more popular throughout the country” 

Ballinger made his England debut in 2007 against Azerbaijan in Turkey in 2007, aged 19, and has travelled the world to represent his country, including Malyasia, Israel and Qatar. 

“My most memorable game was playing Lithuania away in the European qualifiers - we won 4-2 in front of a very hostile crowd and it was the first time we had qualified through the preliminary rounds. We had 2 players sent off which made the game even more challenging - the feeling at the end of the game was incredible." 

In 2009 England played against Libya and Ballinger and the team were invited to dictator Colonel Gaddafi’s compound as guests. 

We hope Luke’s passion for the game, his story and knowledge will inspire our young players to a great Future in the game we all love.