The reason why many players wear shoes with low heels when playing
During this year's World Cup season, striker Pedro Neto of the Portuguese team appeared on the field with the heel of his shoe cut out to reveal the sock inside. This corrective detail can help relieve pressure on sensitive areas of the foot. Many other professional players also repair their shoes in a similar way to limit friction between the shoe and the heel. In soccer, with many situations requiring sudden changes of direction, heel discomfort can greatly affect a player's performance on the field.
According to Wired, the causes of heel discomfort range from scratches, blisters, pain from exercise, tendonitis, to bone deformities. One of the most common causes of heel discomfort often mentioned during this year's World Cup is Haglund syndrome. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, this is a condition in which the heel bone protrudes abnormally at the location adjacent to the Achilles tendon (heel tendon), causing inflammation and pain, making players uncomfortable when wearing closed-toed shoes.
How Haglund syndrome is treated depends on the severity of the symptoms or pain. First, prioritize wearing cushioned shoes and avoid tight-fitting ones, and use heel protectors. Because wearing soccer shoes is mandatory, players often cut out the heels of their shoes to reduce pressure on the heel area. In the case of Pedro Neto, there is no information explaining why the striker wore shoes with cut-out heels in the match between Portugal and Spain in the World Cup. Neto himself has not made any statement confirming that he has Haglund syndrome.
An equally popular solution that players often apply to relieve discomfort from their clothes is to wear socks with holes in the calves. Soccer socks typically have a close-fitting design that protects the shin, supports the ankle, arch and calf, controls moisture and reduces foot movement inside the shoe for increased stability. Although increasingly lighter and more durable, soccer socks still basically use synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and spandex. Many players may feel that their socks are too tight, leading to a tingling feeling in the calf area, forcing them to cut a few holes in their socks to run better. This feeling likely comes from biomechanical factors. When sprinting or changing direction quickly, the largest muscle in the calf contracts and bulges to propel the player forward. This change repeats many times throughout the match, enough to create a feeling of pressure as the socks continuously compress the calves. The habit of cutting holes in socks allows the muscles to "breathe", reducing pressure and the risk of pain or cramping. However, sports medicine and rehabilitation experts say there is no research proving that cutting holes in socks improves performance.
According to Dr. Rajpal Brar, a physical therapist in Los Angeles, USA, if you want to reduce pressure on your calves from a medical perspective, the appropriate solution is to use high-pressure compression socks during the recovery period between matches to support blood circulation and reduce swelling.
According to the New York Times, Allan Vad Nielsen, former CEO of sportswear brand Hummel, said some brands knit their socks very tightly to increase the recognition and clarity of the logo, creating a tightness that some players find uncomfortable. New technologies have allowed for better cushioning in the ankle and compression zones that improve blood circulation, reduce the risk of injury and enhance performance.