Would modern football be better with 10x10 or 9x9, instead of 11x11?

I was reading about a former Brazilian international, the legendary Sócrates from the magic 1982 Seleção, because he apparently used to support the idea of revolutionizing modern football and taking two players out of the pitch, leaving 10x10 instead of 11x11. Apparently, he's become even more radical, and now believes that 4 players should be taken off the pitch, so that we'd have 9x9!!!!!!!!!

I know it sounds crazy, but the reason for it is simply that there is not much room on the pitch in modern football, and competitions like the WC and now Copa América are suffering from it.. well, most competitions are, except for women's football lol.

Football will never become what it was in the 60's, where a midfielder could stop in the middle of the pitch, look to both sides, and signal with his hand for the left back to advance so that he could pass the ball. Those were different days. But perhaps with a little more room we'd have more goals than we're having now.

I for one completely understand the idea, but I just can't see football with less than 22 players on the pitch... what do you guys think? It's not just Socrates, I think there are many people around the world who support this idea.

For entertainment, it would be better, sure.

But in terms of the game, it doesnt do it any justice for a few reasons.

Making the game easier and with more space, its harder to appreciate to best players because more players will start looking good despite them not being that good.

All of a sudden, guys like Walcott (not offence) become some of the best players in the world with the vast spaces.

Less quick thinking needed, less intelligence is needed, less great decision making is needed...the game would tilt further towards athleticism rather then skill.

Fast runners and the best long passers will become dominant in the game, whereas quick technique will lose out.

I also don't think more goals = more entertainment. Some of the most beautiful matches have ended in a 0-0.
No Goals = Boring is the logic of people who only watch football during the World Cup, and don't like it if they can't cheer.

And,

on a different note,

WHAT WOULD REAL MADRID'S BENCH LOOK LIKE THEN?

I've got no problem with low-scoring games.
Celebrating 1 goal in football > celebrating 10 goals in ice-hockey.
And I like them both.

But it's not only about goals and I understand the argument. Players' stamina levels are higher than, say, 30 years ago and I believe 10x10 would work out just fine. It's just that changing things that you already adore is difficult and often undesireable, even if the end-result could be better - which again is a matter of opinion.

So I'd leave it the way it is.

Why fix something which isn't broken?

Good replies.

I am not pro 9x9 either, but I just want to remind you that it isn't all about getting more goals, the fact is that many modern football matches go on with only a handful of attempts at goal for that matter..

Let us all remember last year's WC and the first round of this year's Copa América..

smaller sided games increase the pace of the game, but larger sided games (11x11) increase the complexity of the game.

the little intricacies, organization, and complexity of football is what makes it such an amazing game.