Abstract
In today’s digital age, social media platforms like Twitter play a significant role in shaping the experiences of soccer players, particularly young and emerging talent. While these platforms offer exposure, networking opportunities, and a space to showcase skills, they also promote toxic behaviours that can severely impact athletes’ mental health and performance. This paper explores the dual nature of Twitter within the soccer community, focusing on both its benefits and its negatives. Using case studies such as Hachim Mastour’s rise, Pedro Porro’s departure from the platform, and the abuse faced by Manchester United players, this analysis illustrates how online environments can influence player development, confidence, and career trajectory. The paper also discusses the psychological effects of cyberbullying, unrealistic comparisons, and performance pressure amplified by the fast-paced and anonymous nature of Twitter. Despite these challenges, Twitter remains a valuable tool when used to promote empathy and raise awareness about online abuse. Highlighting responses from athletes like Marcus Rashford, this paper emphasises the importance of community accountability and stronger moderation to foster a more supportive digital space. Ultimately, it calls for a cultural shift to ensure that social media enhances, rather than harms, the well-being and growth of soccer players.
Body
In today’s day and age, social media has become a regular part of how humans communicate and voice opinions. It has its pros and cons, but ultimately for the community who love the game of soccer, it has become a massive burden upon professional players, with the community mainly becoming a negative space. While social media communities on Twitter can provide young soccer players with exposure and motivation, they also contribute to negative psychological effects, including performance anxiety, unrealistic self-comparisons, and increased susceptibility to cyberbullying, ultimately hindering their development and well-being. Twitter serves as a perfect platform for negative activity due to its fast-paced nature and the anonymity it allows users. This paper will examine specific instances of cyberbullying within the soccer community, particularly involving the massive club Manchester United, to illustrate the harmful consequences for young athletes. Despite its flaws, Twitter can also be a tool for combating online abuse, as many players and organizations use it to speak out against cyberbullying and advocate for positive change. It can also be a great tool for players to broadcast their skills and talents to the vast audience Twitter can provide.
Twitter can be used by young footballers as a way of exposing themselves to the world and showcasing their skills and talent online. Social media communities are a great way for young players to network and gain visibility with players being able to post highlights, which can give viewers a sneak peak of what to expect if the young player is given the opportunity. Young aspiring soccer players can also draw similarities from current players on Twitter, by watching other established professional footballers, and improve on their own game based on replicating their moves. The rise of young Moroccan soccer player Hachim Mastour in 2012 can mainly be accounted for by the presence of social media in the community. Several short clips of Hachim performing various flashy skill moves with current world star Neymar Jr. The video clips, particularly on Twitter and YouTube, gained serious attention from the soccer community, who backed him and believed that he would be the next big star in the game. With all the built-up hype on social media, massive Italian giants AC Milan were convinced of his talent, snapping him up on a transfer for 1 million Australian dollars. At just 14 years of age, this type of money being spent on a player was unheard of. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for Hachim, and he didn’t end up reaching the heights that were expected of him. Although Hachim didn’t have a successful career long term, the short-term success that he experienced would never have happened if not for the social media platforms that helped broadcast his talent and skill worldwide. Everyone thought at the time that Hachim would be the next great, with the tweets and reposts proving the hype was justified. Hachim’s story further emphasises that Twitter and other social media platforms can be a great tool for young players to gain positive exposure on social media and potentially make a name for themselves in soccer.
Although Twitter has its positives, it can also in some instances be known to have detrimental phycological impacts on young and experienced soccer players. Studies show that athletes are at higher risk for anxiety, depression, and burnout when they face constant negative feedback (Hugh 2025). Most of the time, abuse that players will receive is constant, and it can be difficult for players to block out the noise surrounding them. Just as the soccer community on social media can be a positive space for athletes due to its ability to reach a large audience, it can also be a negative space for the same reason. The community will often hold players to very high standards and expect athletes to consistently perform at the very highest level. If the player underperforms for just one game, they can be met with severe and harassing abuse which is known to be harmful to players. Soccer players will also commonly be compared by the community to other players, which is almost always unreasonable as the players may be in different positions or play in different systems which may better suit their skillsets. Pedro Porro, a Spanish fullback playing for Tottenham Hotspur in London, deactivated his Twitter account due to the constant abuse he received by his own fans and followers. This was due to his performances on the pitch being significantly below his high standards and Tottenham enduring one of the worst seasons in its recent history. His experience perfectly illustrates how Twitter can not only be used for positive gain, but the soccer community can quickly turn it into a hostile space. The abuse received by Porro would have almost certainly impacted his mental health for the worse. It also creates unwanted pressure on the player to perform, as that if the player fails to perform, they will be subject to hurtful and harassing online abuse. The case also demonstrates the urgent need for the community to become a more positive space for athletes, and stronger moderation policies on twitter itself to help filter out the frequent abuse on the platform. These are essential in protecting the welfare of established soccer players and ensuring that up and coming players aren’t discouraged by what they see their idols experience online.
Twitter and the communities that thrive on the platform don’t just affect individual players—they can also have a significant impact on the clubs those players represent. Larger clubs with massive global followings, often face heightened expectations from fans. When these clubs underperform, frustrated supporters frequently turn to Twitter to voice their dissatisfaction. This can quickly create a toxic and hostile online environment that affects the morale of the entire squad. The constant criticism received from online sources mounts additional pressure on the team to deliver results, which can ultimately be detrimental to both individual performance and collective success. Manchester United, one of the most historically successful soccer clubs in England, is one of the largest global fanbases in the sport. While the club dominated during the 1980s through the early 2000s, recent years have seen a decline in performance, with Manchester United struggling to maintain its former glory. The recent drop from the glory days has led to growing unrest among supporters, many of whom have taken to social media to voice their frustration, often directing blame toward the players. A study conducted by The Alan Turing Institute revealed that during the 2021–22 Premier League season, Manchester United players received over seven times more abusive tweets than those at any rival club (Milmo 2022). This overwhelming negativity not only places immense pressure on the players but also increases scrutiny on the coaching staff and club management. Additionally, the toxic online environment may deter prospective players from joining the club, as the intense fan expectations and frequent online abuse contribute to a reputation that can be unappealing to new talent. This makes it harder for the club to improve in terms of the squad quality and the player development. More recently, young star Antony joined from Ajax as a youngster for over $100 million dollars. He struggled to reach his previous form, and as a result, received constant abuse on social media platforms like twitter. He lost so much confidence that it was mutually decided it would be best for him to leave on loan to Real Betis in Spain to try and regain his old form. Since leaving Manchester United, he has been performing to a very high standard almost every game and proving to the soccer community why he was worth the large fee Manchester United paid. His resurgence proves that a negative social media culture, like at Manchester United, can ultimately hinder player performance. It also displays the urgent need for fans and platforms to create a more positive space, so that players can thrive, grow and make mistakes without the constant burden of receiving abuse.
Despite the challenges and issues associated with the platform, Twitter can also serve as a powerful tool for amplifying positive voices and filtering out negativity. Whether it’s players, coaches, organisations, or fans, Twitter offers a platform to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of cyberbullying and to take a firm stand against toxic behaviour. This is a crucial step in educating the soccer community about the harmful effects that online abuse can have on players’ mental health and performance. Additionally, Twitter can help humanize athletes, reminding the public that they are not just figures in a game but individuals with emotions and struggles. This was particularly evident when former Manchester United player Marcus Rashford retweeted a positive fan post about him, using the platform to showcase support and highlight the kindness that often goes unnoticed in the digital world. Prior to this, Marcus had been a victim of constant harassment, racism and bullying which he mentioned took a toll on him and was tough for him to take. The post from the fan page read: “The way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting. It’s cruel. It’s abuse”. Marcus replied and retweeted the post with: “I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough” (ITV News 2024). In this way, Twitter becomes more than just a platform for instant updates and opinions, it serves as a crucial space for promoting kindness, empathy, and accountability within the soccer community. Through actions like Rashford’s retweet, Twitter not only provides a means for athletes to share their struggles but also for fans and fellow players to unite in support. By highlighting the importance of addressing cyberbullying and online harassment, these moments can motivate the community and drive collective action toward creating a safer environment for athletes. Twitter has the potential to be a powerful tool in shaping a more peaceful and compassionate digital space, where positivity can help filter out the negativity that often dominates the online world.
In conclusion, while Twitter presents both opportunities and challenges for soccer players, its role in the modern game cannot be overlooked. It can be seen as a way of providing young athletes with a platform to showcase their talents, gain exposure, and connect with fans and professionals across the world. However, the platform’s fast-paced nature and anonymity also make it an easy target for cyberbullying, toxic behaviour, and unrealistic expectations, which can have a detrimental impact on players’ mental health and performance. The experiences of players like Marcus Rashford and Pedro Porro, and the recent issues with Manchester United, highlight the negative effects of online abuse, emphasising the need for stronger moderation and a cultural shift toward empathy and support within the soccer community. Despite its flaws, Twitter can be a tool for positive change when powerful voices are used to advocate for a safer environment, educate the public about the harmful effects of online harassment, and humanize athletes. By fostering a more compassionate and accountable online space, Twitter has the potential to be a great platform with multiple benefits, helping players thrive without the added burden of constant abuse and pressure. The soccer community on social media must continue to unite positively, to help create an online environment where negativity is filtered out, ensuring that both current and future players can flourish both on and off the field.
References
Stockwood, J. (2024). It is getting harder for footballers to survive the social media abusers. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/03/it-is-getting-harder-for-footballers-to-survive-the-social-media-abusers
Wilks, M. (2023). The rise and fall of Hachim Mastour: AC Milan’s viral prospect to complete obscurity. Planet Football. https://www.planetfootball.com/nostalgia/rise-and-fall-hachim-mastour-ac-milans-viral-prospect-complete-obscurity
Milmo, D. (2022). Seven in 10 Premier League players are sent abusive tweets, study shows. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/aug/02/seven-in-10-premier-league-players-are-sent-abusive-tweets-study-shows
Hugh, P. (2025). How Social Media Affects Soccer Players’ Mental Health. Soccer Wizdom.
Gott, T. (2025). Antony offers surprise explanation for Man Utd struggles. 90min.com. https://www.90min.com/antony-surprise-explanation-man-utd-struggles
Murray, R. (2022). Social media being a toxic factor in football – Culture in Sports. https://cultureinsports.com/social-media-being-a-toxic-factor-in-football/
England and United forward Marcus Rashford calls out racist abuse saying “enough is enough.” (2024). ITV News. https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2024-04-26/enough-is-enough-marcus-rashford-condemns-racist-abuse
Hi Shannon Kate, You’re right to ask; it is incredibly difficult to police these issues today. Predatory behaviour isn’t exclusive…