17+ Football Slang From UEFA Fans Around Europe

With the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coming to Switzerland this July and major UEFA competitions heating up all year, there's never been a better time to decode the passionate language of European football fans. So to help you join in on the fun, this post will show you all the best football slang in Spanish, Italian, French, and English.

UEFA Slang From England

English football fans have turned chanting into a cultural phenomenon, creating everything from heartfelt anthems to wickedly clever put-downs. The genius of English football language is its mix of genuine emotion and sharp wit.

Popular English Football Chants

"You'll Never Walk Alone" (Liverpool)

This is potentially the most famous chant in world football, representing Liverpool's core values of inclusivity and togetherness. Originally from a 1940s musical, it became Liverpool's anthem in 1963 and took on even deeper meaning after the Hillsborough disaster.

"Blue Moon" (Manchester City)

Written in 1934, this ballad became perfect for City fans since they secured their first league title just a year later in 1935. The song captures that feeling of rare, precious moments—which used to describe City's success perfectly.

"Glory, Glory Man United" (Manchester United)

Originally released by the squad before an FA Cup Final in 1983, this battle cry encapsulates the determination that defines the Red Devils' fanbase.

Creative Player Chants

English fans excel at turning pop songs into player tributes. Recent gems include Arsenal's Kai Havertz song to the tune of Shakira's "Waka Waka" with lyrics like "60 million down the drain, Kai Havertz scores again".

Basic English Football Slang

• Nutmeg: When you kick the ball through someone's legs (the ultimate embarrassment)
• Screamer: A spectacular long-range goal that makes everyone go "WOOOOW!"
• Clean sheet: When your team doesn't concede any goals
• Worldie: An absolutely incredible goal that gets replayed endlessly
• Bottling it: Throwing away a winning position (ouch)

UEFA Slang From Spain

Spanish football culture runs on pure passion, and their chants reflect the intensity of rivalries that have lasted over a century.

Real Madrid: Royal Chants

"¡Hala Madrid!...y nada más" became Real Madrid's popular anthem after they won their 10th UEFA Champions League title in 2014. "Hala Madrid" is basically their battle cry, meaning "Come on Madrid!" while "y nada más" means "and nothing else."

Their classic chant goes: "Historia que tu hiciste, Historia por hacer, Porque nadie resiste, Tus ganas de vencer" (History that you've made, History still to make, Because nobody can resist, Your will to succeed).

Barcelona: Catalan Pride

Barcelona's anthem "Blaugrana al vent" creates electric atmosphere: "Blaugrana al vent un crit valent tenim un nom el sap tothom: Barça, Barça, Baaarça!" (Blue and claret blowing in the wind, One valiant cry, We've got a name that everyone knows: Barça, Barça, Baaarça!)

In El Clásico matches, you'll hear the not-so-polite "Madrid, cabrón, Saluda al campeón!" (Madrid, bastard, say hi to the champions!).

Spanish Football Basics

• ¡Gol!: Goal! (shouted with maximum enthusiasm)
• ¡Vamos!: Let's go! Come on!
• ¡Olé!: Expression of approval for skillful play
• Clásico: The ultimate derby match
• ¡Arriba!: Up! (as in "get up there!")

UEFA Slang From Italy

Italy's national football team is known as "Gli Azzurri" meaning "The Blues" because Savoy blue has been their color since 1910, adopted from the royal house rather than the Italian flag colors.

The Magic Word: "Forza"

"Forza" literally means strength in Italian, but functions as an exhortation like "Come on!" in English. It's incredibly versatile:

• "Forza Azzurri!": Come on Italy! (for the national team)
• "Forza Milan!": Go Milan!
• "Forza Juventus!": Come on Juventus!
• "Forza Inter!": Go Inter!

Club-Specific Chants

Juventus fans love "Fino alla fine, Forza Juventus!" (Until the end, Go Juventus!), while AC Milan supporters chant "Forza Milan! Siamo noi!" (Go Milan! It's us!).

A playful chant you'll hear is "Chi non salta è un inglese!" (Whoever doesn't jump is English!) - used to taunt opposing fans, especially during matches against England.

Essential Italian Football Words

• Calcio: The Italian word for football (literally means "to kick")
• Bravo: Well done! Good job!
• Grande: Great! Amazing!
• Dai: Come on! (encouragement)
• Sei il migliore: You're the best!

UEFA Slang From France

French fans are famous for chanting "Allez Les Bleus!" which simply means "Go Blues!" - "Les Bleus" is the nickname for the French national team because of their traditional blue uniforms.

The Classic Chants

"Allez les Bleus" is described as "a classic French football chant" that gets repeated endlessly during matches. French fans also adopted Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" tune, singing "la la la la la" since France's 1998 World Cup victory.

Match Day Expressions

When France scores, you'll hear fans shout "BUUUUUT" (goal), "OUUUUUIIIIIII" (YESSSSS), or just "GOAAALLL" in English.

If someone's faking an injury, French fans will call them a "comédien" (actor). And when frustration builds, expect to hear "putain" escalate to "putain de merde" and eventually "putain de bordel de merde".

French Football Basics

• Allez: Come on! Go! (the most useful word)
• But: Goal
• Arbitre: Referee
• Hors-jeu: Offside
• Carton jaune: Yellow card

Universal Football Language

Now that you know the slang, curses, and basic expressions, want to expand you knowledge further? In this section, let's talk about some expressions that work across all European football.

• Olé: Universal appreciation for skill
• Goal/Gol/But: However you say it, everyone understands
• Penalty: Pretty much the same everywhere
• Offside: The most controversial call in any language
• Derby: Rivalry matches between local teams
• Ultra: The most passionate, organized fan groups
• Tifo: Elaborate choreographed displays by fans

Basic Cheers

With the Champions League final happening in Munich on May 31 and the Women's Euro spanning across Switzerland in July, here's your list of basic cheers for each scenario:

• If you're supporting England: "Come on England!" or "Three Lions on a shirt!"
• If you're cheering for Spain: "¡Vamos España!" or "¡Olé!"
• If you're backing Italy: "Forza Azzurri!"
• If you're with France: "Allez les Bleus!"

For universal cheers, you can never go wrong with "GOAL!" "YES!" "AMAZING!"

Ready to Chant Like a Local by UEFA 2025?

With the Champions League final happening in Munich on May 31 and the Women's Euro kicking off in Switzerland on July 2, you've got the perfect timeline to master these football phrases before the biggest matches of the year. And if you're serious about learning these languages, why not try Lingopie?

With Lingopie, you can learn Spanish, Italian, French, or English by watching actual TV shows and movies in these languages. By the time those UEFA tournaments arrive, you'll be shouting authentic chants with genuine passion, not just repeating sounds you don't understand.

Want to see what Lingopie offers? Read these posts next!

• 9 Best French Series on Netflix to Watch on Lingopie
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• 17 Best Shows To Watch To Learn Spanish On Netflix
  

Start your Lingopie journey today!