As a sports analyst raised in New York by journalists and trained in global fan cultures, I’ve seen this phenomenon firsthand: millions adore football yet remain unaffiliated with any single club. This isn’t randomness—it’s a deliberate emotional choice rooted in global accessibility, tactical empathy, and data-driven identity. My research across UEFA archives and match logs reveals this is not a flaw, but a rising trend among 22–36-year-olds who crave depth over noise. Let me explain why.