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I’ll never forget the final whistle yesterday—the moment I knew it was my last time pulling on that Philippines football jersey. For nearly 13 years, this team has been my family, my home away from home. And as I stood there, catching my breath, it struck me just how much of my life has been measured in minutes on that pitch. People often ask me, "How many minutes are in a football game?" On paper, it’s straightforward: 90 minutes of regulation time. But anyone who’s lived this sport knows it’s never that simple. There’s stoppage time, extra time, and sometimes penalty shootouts that stretch everything out. In my case, those minutes added up to over a decade of memories, challenges, and growth.

Take yesterday’s match, for example. It was a tense, high-stakes affair against a regional rival, and by the 70th minute, I could feel the weight of every second. We were leading 2-1, but the referee added six minutes of stoppage time. Those extra 360 seconds felt like an eternity—each pass, each tackle, each sprint carrying the emotional baggage of my entire career. I remember thinking, "This is it. These are the last minutes I’ll ever play for my country." And in that moment, the question of how many minutes are in a football game took on a whole new meaning. It wasn’t just about the clock; it was about the legacy built in those fleeting moments.

So why does this breakdown matter? Well, for fans and players alike, understanding the structure of a match can change how you experience it. Let’s break it down: a standard game consists of two 45-minute halves, but the average real-world duration stretches to around 95-100 minutes when you factor in stoppages. In my career, I’ve played in matches that ran close to 120 minutes due to extra time—like that unforgettable cup final back in 2018. But here’s the thing: those extra minutes aren’t just added randomly. Referees account for substitutions, injuries, and time-wasting, which can easily tack on another 3 to 7 minutes per half. In yesterday’s game, for instance, two injury breaks and a VAR review pushed the total match time to 98 minutes. That’s nearly an extra 10% of playing time, and in football, every second counts.

From a tactical perspective, managing those minutes is everything. Coaches drill us to pace ourselves, to conserve energy for those critical moments in stoppage time. I’ve lost count of how many matches I’ve seen decided in the 90th minute or beyond. It’s why fitness and mental resilience are non-negotiable at this level. Personally, I’ve always preferred high-tempo games where the minutes fly by—it keeps me engaged and sharp. But I’ve also learned to appreciate the slower, strategic battles where every minute feels like a chess match. That’s the beauty of football: no two games are the same, and the clock is both your ally and your adversary.

Looking back, I realize that my journey with the Philippines team wasn’t just about the 13 years or the hundreds of matches. It was about the countless minutes—each one shaping me into the player and person I am today. Stepping away was never going to be easy, but as I reflect on yesterday’s final whistle, I’m filled with gratitude. Football has taught me that time is more than just numbers on a scoreboard; it’s the heartbeat of the game. So the next time someone asks, "How many minutes are in a football game?" tell them it’s not just 90. It’s a lifetime packed into every second.