國際足協（FIFA）公布最新的世界排名，過去一年香港足球代表隊的世界排名由去年10月的第158位上升至今年9月的第146位，澳門足球隊則由去年10月的第193位微升至今年9月的第191位，香港男足取得長足進步，而澳門男足的表現亦輕微改善。
早年香港足球運動廣受市民歡迎，其後本土足球熱有所降溫，但在近年本港足球屬會積極改革下，大眾足球文化逐步復興，從而帶動本地足球的現代化。
過去一段時間，香港足球改革在多個方面都取得進展。首先，青少年足球學校（例如傑志足球學院和理文青訓學院）的受歡迎程度日益提升，家長們紛紛送孩子去踢足球，而那些有潛質的年輕足球員也獲得進一步的培養，被招募到代表英超球會的青年隊。
澳門則缺乏足球青訓學院，有必要引入私營投資，這意味澳門足球的現代化進程仍有待加快，或需要借鏡香港足球改革的經驗。
部分賭收可用於推動足球發展
在理想的情況下，政府可以與澳門足球總會合作，將博彩特許經營商的部分收入用於包括足球在內的體育事業，以推動澳門青訓足球文化的發展。
其次，香港甲級足球聯賽以及本地政府資助大學之間的足球賽事已經復辦，一些甲級聯賽和大學的球員可以晉級參與香港超級聯賽的賽事，為他們提供向上流動的階梯。與此同時，澳門可以效法香港模式進行足球改革，組織超級聯賽，以提高足球比賽水平。
第三，受惠於多項大型體育賽事在港的舉行，以及香港最大體育園區啟德體育園的落成，香港足球水平獲提升。今年6月香港對印度的亞洲盃外圍賽和8月沙特超級盃賽事都安排在啟德體育園進行，新場館氣勢磅礡，可容納42500名觀眾，加上本地球迷對主隊的高度投入，激發了本地球迷的熱情。在10月14日香港隊將重返啟德的主場館迎戰孟加拉，屆時場球迷激情或再度充盈場館。
澳門應考慮新建大型足球場館
香港的經驗對澳門足球改革的啟示顯而易見。澳門應該考慮新建一座大型足球場，培育足球文化，並鼓勵球迷多參與其中。澳門政府擁有巨額博彩收入，投資建設一座新的足球場，除了傳統的澳門大獎賽之外，還能帶來一項新的大型體育賽事，為澳門創造雙贏局面。
第四，香港超級聯賽不僅足球水平有所提升，觀眾人數也不斷增加。從巴西到澳洲，從日本到南韓，從哥倫比亞到阿根廷，引進優秀外援提升了香港足球賽事的水平。
隨着更多本地球迷入場觀看本地超級聯賽和其他比賽，為香港足球現代化提供積極的支持。此外，東區足球會、北區足球會和南區足球會等分區球會的參與，也吸引這些地區的居民入場追捧各自心儀的球隊。
澳門也可以借鏡香港的經驗，從葡萄牙引進優秀且技術嫻熟的球員。葡萄牙擁有許多國際知名的足球員，他們遍布世界各地，包括英格蘭和沙特地阿拉伯。眾多技術精湛的葡萄牙足球員必將貢獻澳門球會和足球水平的現代化建設。
與葡萄牙淵源深厚 但未充分利用
在澳門足球改革和現代化過程中，沒有充分利用澳門與葡萄牙的歷史淵源，這意味着一些極具潛力的澳門本土年輕球員可能會被派往葡萄牙球會，擔任實習球員或青訓隊成員，從而提升他們的技術和體能。
第五，愈來愈多香港出生、潛力巨大、技術精湛的球員效力於內地足球球會，這是香港足球現代化進程的必要條件。內地球會對訓練和比賽的要求很高，這有助於香港出生的球員在技術和競技方面不斷成長和成熟。
第六，香港青年隊的水準有所提升。許多參加英超聯賽的球會都在招募不同年齡的年輕球員，例如U22和U16球員，參加青年聯賽。香港要實現足球現代化並提高水平，訓練和培養年輕球員至關重要。
第七，香港和澳門都有更大的空間來鼓勵私人機構參與，從而孕育出更強大的大眾足球文化，例如任何私人機構願意組建球隊參加足球聯賽，政府可以給予免稅優惠。日本過去曾成功利用稅收優惠鼓勵企業集團組成足球隊參與本地賽事。
第八，香港的足球改革在一定程度上借鑒了日本職業足球聯賽和英超聯賽的經驗，並改善了足球比賽的行銷。球迷俱樂部、足球比賽間隙調動女歌手和表演者、以及球會生產球衣等舉措已逐步推動大眾足球文化。澳門足球現代化發展模式在香港尚未達到這一發展階段，但可以參考香港20世紀80年代的經驗，動員一些政府部門，例如警察、消防和懲教部門，組成足球隊，參加甲級聯賽甚至超級聯賽。
港澳大學可開設足球碩士課程
第九，香港和澳門的大學均未開設專門的足球管理、科學和教練學位課程，儘管兩地的足球協會都設有教練培訓機構，開設課程並頒發證書和文憑。如果將足球視作一項跨學科運動，涵蓋教練、管理、行銷、營養學、科學、數據科學、人工智慧和心理學等範疇，那麼香港和澳門可以在高等教育層面開設足球學士和碩士學位課程。
第十，香港足球現代化進程已然啟動，但足球場的條件，包括草坪管理和排水系統，仍有待改善。維護所有足球場的優質草坪，對於香港成功舉辦大型足球賽事至關重要。
總而言之，香港在足球現代化方面的經驗值得澳門借鑒，但兩地也應該在足球發展方面緊密合作。如果兩地足球協會和政府能夠以更主動、更具遠見的方式合作，就能合辦大型足球賽事。同時，如果能夠為參與足球賽事和現代化建設的私營機構提供稅收優惠，並借鑑日本職業足球聯賽的成功經驗，香港的足球水平將能夠並有望大幅提升。
Football reforms, culture and modernization in Hong Kong and Macau
Judging from the development of the global ranking of Hong Kong’s football, from 158 in October 2024 to 146 in September 2025, and that of Macau from 193 in October 2024 to 191 in September 2025, the progress of Hong Kong’s men’s football has made significant inroads while Macau has demonstrated slight improvement (see FIFA ranking: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking).
This phenomenon is arguably attributable to the emergence of football reforms and the gradual rise of a mass football culture in Hong Kong, contributing to its overall football modernization. Macau’s football modernization remains to be speeded up by learning more from Hong Kong’s football reforms.
In recent years, football reforms in Hong Kong have taken place in several aspects. First, the popularity of football schools for children has increased, such as Kit Chee Academy and Lee Man Youth Academy, among others, with parents sending their children to play football, and with potentially skilful young footballers being groomed further and recruited into youth teams representing clubs in the Premier League. Macau lacks youth football academies, highlighting a need for private-sector investment.
Ideally, the government can work with the Macau Football Association by channelling part of the revenues from the casino concessionaires not only to charity but also to sports, particularly football. In this way, a youth culture in football can be grown further in Macau.
Second, there has been a revival of the First Division football competition in Hong Kong and also the football tournament among local government-funded universities. First Division football games are now streamed on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook, and the annual post-secondary championship match is broadcast live — an unprecedented move for Hong Kong. Most importantly, some of the players in the First Division and universities can advance to the club competition at the Premier League level, providing a ladder of upward mobility. In Macau, football reforms can be undertaken along the Hong Kong model by forming a Premier League, raising the standards of football matches while elevating the importance of football competition among all local Macau universities and tertiary colleges, both public and private. In such a way, Macau will generate and stimulate the development of youth interest and enthusiasm in football.
Indeed, the Hong Kong model can be reformed and improved further. Football teams that represent local universities and post-secondary colleges can also be invited to join the First Division Football League for the sake of enhancing competitiveness and developing a solid football culture among the youth. Young players who perform well and who are interested in joining the youth teams of the Premier League can do so, with the support of scholarships and government subsidies for their studies at the post-secondary level. Currently, football scholarships are lacking at the university level unless a tripartite partnership is established between the government, the Hong Kong Football Association and local post-secondary colleges and universities, both publicly and privately funded. As more private colleges and universities have been established in Hong Kong, the local post-secondary colleges and universities’ football tournament can and will have tremendous potential to expand further.
Third, the improvement of Hong Kong football has been attributable to the combined emergence of mega sports events and the establishment of the new Kai Tak Stadium. The Kai Tak Stadium witnessed the visit of the Inter Miami Football Club in February 2024, when football star Lionel Messi was reportedly injured and did not play the game against the Hong Kong team, to the great disappointment of many local football fans. However, the completion of the impressive Kai Tak Stadium stimulated the rise of football fans who flocked to watch other matches involving Hong Kong and India in the 42,500-packed stadium during the Asian Cup qualifier in June 2025, the August 2025 Saudi Super Cup, and Hong Kong and Bangladesh soon on October 14. The enthusiasm of fans has been stimulated by the impressively built stadium and their strong local Hong Kong identity.
The Hong Kong lesson for Macau’s football reform is clear. Macau should consider developing a new and large football stadium to cultivate its football culture and encourage greater engagement among fans. Given the tremendous amount of gaming-based revenues received by the Macau government, investing in the construction of a new football stadium will bring about a new mega sports event, apart from the traditionally popular Macau Grand Prix, so that a win-win situation will be created in Macau. Football modernization will therefore be propelled, mass football culture will be developed, and football standards will be improved further.
Fourth, the Hong Kong Premier League has shown not only an improvement in its football standards but also a rise in the number of spectators. The import of good foreign players, ranging from Brazil to Australia, from Japan to South Korea, and from Colombia to Argentina, has improved the standards of local football matches.
As a result, more fans have shown their eagerness to buy tickets to watch the Premier League contests and other competitions – a positive sign of football modernization in Hong Kong. The participation of clubs based on districts, like the Eastern District Football Club, the Northern District Football Club, and the Southern District Football Club, has interestingly stimulated many residents who live in these districts to buy tickets to support their teams in various football matches. In short, the districtisation of the Hong Kong Premier League – a phenomenon that might be coincidental rather than intentional – has interestingly stimulated a group of loyal district supporters of district-based football clubs.
Macau can also learn from the Hong Kong experience by importing good and skilful players from Portugal, where prestigious and international players are playing football in various parts of the world, including England and Saudi Arabia. Many skilful Portuguese footballers will surely contribute to the modernization of Macau’s football clubs and standards.
The Portuguese connections and historical legacy have not been fully utilised in Macau’s football reform and modernization. This means that young local Macau footballers with brilliant potential can be sent to Portuguese football clubs as interns, trainees and members of youth teams, thereby improving their skills and physicality. Indeed, the government’s role in subsidising these young players to study in Portugal and to learn the skills of playing football there will be essential. At the same time, the leadership, management and vision of the Macau Football Association will have to be consolidated if local football reforms are to be implemented and if the local football culture is to be nurtured.
Fifth, more Hong Kong-born footballers with immense potential and good skills are now playing for mainland Chinese football clubs – a necessary condition in the process of football modernization in Hong Kong. Mainland football clubs are demanding in their training and competition, helping Hong Kong-born footballers grow and mature in their football skills and competitive ability. Similarly, Macau can send potentially good footballers to not only Hong Kong but also mainland China so that the standards of the Macau football team will improve during its competitions in Asia.
Sixth, there has been improvement in the standards of youth teams in Hong Kong, where many football clubs competing in the Premier League have been recruiting young footballers at different ages, like U-22 and U-16, to play in the Youth League. The training and grooming of young players are indispensable if Hong Kong is to modernize its football and improve its standards further. Similarly, Macau can learn from the Hong Kong experience and speed up the process of training young people to play football. In fact, young children who play football much earlier can and will be able to improve their skills, apart from their need to build up their physical strength.
Seventh, both Hong Kong and Macau have more room to stimulate the participation of private-sector organisations to cultivate a stronger mass culture in football. Specifically, tax exemption can be granted by the Hong Kong government if any private-sector organisation is willing to form a team to compete in the Third, Second and First Division Football Leagues. Similarly, the Macau government can also experiment with tax incentives as a way to stimulate football participation and club development. Japan in the past had successfully utilised tax incentives to encourage the participation of business conglomerates to form football clubs in local football competition. Hong Kong and Macau have much to learn from the Japanese experiences of developing its J-League gradually and successfully.
Eighth, Hong Kong’s football reforms have to a limited extent learnt from the J-League and the English Premier League by improving the marketing of football matches and competition. Fans’ clubs, the mobilisation of female singers and performers during the break of football matches, and the production of T-shirts and sportswear of football clubs can now be seen. Gradually, the mass football culture is going to be developed. The Macau way of modernising its football development has not yet reached this stage of growth in Hong Kong, but perhaps Macau can learn from the experiences of Hong Kong in the 1980s by mobilising some government departments, like the police, fire services and correctional services, to form their football clubs and to compete in the First Division and even the Premier League for the sake of stimulating mass participation in football modernization.
Ninth, none of the universities in Hong Kong and Macau has developed a degree programme specifically in football management, science and coaching, although the football associations in both cities have their own training of coaches in the form of offering courses and granting certificates and diplomas. If football is a multi-disciplinary sport cutting across various disciplines, ranging from coaching to management, from marketing to nutrition, and from science to data science, and from artificial intelligence to psychology, then a degree at the bachelor’s and master’s level in football can and should be developed in Hong Kong and Macau at the post-secondary level.
Tenth, while Hong Kong’s football modernization has been undertaken, the continuous improvement in the conditions of football stadiums, including grass management and water drainage systems, can and should be improved further. Maintaining quality grass in all football stadiums is essential for hosting major football events in Hong Kong successfully. Similarly, Macau’s football stadiums will have to be developed and maintained in a professional way so that the two places will grow together in their path of football modernization.
In conclusion, while the Hong Kong experiences in modernising its football can be learnt by Macau, the two cities can and should also cooperate closely in their co-development of football. Joint mega football events can be held if their football associations and governments collaborate in a more initiative-taking and far-sighted manner. Macau can learn tremendously from the Hong Kong experiences, as this article has suggested above. At the same time, Hong Kong’s football standards can and will stride ahead if tax incentives can be given to private-sector organisations to participate in football competition and modernization, learning from the successful experiences of the J-League.
The prospects of the two cities in reforming their football, nurturing the mass football culture and modernising football management remain bright and optimistic in the coming years, if and only if the political will from the two local governments and their football associations is strong enough to make football not only a mega sports event attracting tourism, but also a mass sport that will make many ordinary citizens happily enjoy either playing or watching football.
原刊於澳門新聞通訊社（MNA）網站，本社獲作者授權轉載。（原文按此）
