Football superstars are usually brilliant and loved but not everyone, there are also players with bad behaviour. They pretend to be injured to deceive opponents, or show unreliable actions. These players were criticized for lacking proper qualities and morals. In this article, you will be named 10 most hated soccer players, let’s bestsoccertips.com find out!
Top 10 most hated football players
1. Eden Hazard
Despite not being a professional boxer (though he often acts like one), one of Eden Hazard’s worst moments occurred in 2013 when he kicked a ball boy to retrieve the ball.
Off the field, Hazard’s arrogance and “I am number one” mindset have stirred controversy. Prior to moving to Chelsea, he appeared in a video, using cards with the names of football clubs and facial expressions to indicate whether he would move there or not (assuming they all wanted him).
Furthermore, Hazard decided in advance that after “finishing his time at Real Madrid,” he would return to Chelsea, disregarding Madrid fans and assuming that Chelsea would welcome him no matter his age.
Hazard’s move to Real Madrid in 2019 seemed solely for money. He arrived overweight and unwilling to invest effort off the field, leading the media to dub him a joke. Hazard only managed to score a mere seven goals in four seasons before his contract was terminated in 2023.
2. Sergio Busquets
During that time, not only players like Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Pedro were known for diving, but also Sergio Busquets, who elevated the act of feigning injury to a new level, surprising and angering many. This attitude not only eroded the trust of many Barcelona fans but also increased the animosity towards the team from fans of other clubs. These players became symbols of “acting” and “roles” on the field, where risk-taking and aggression became essential parts of the game.
Among the divers, Busquets was considered a “master” with far too many instances of such behavior, even surpassing his teammates. The repetition of these situations made people not only fed up but also contemptuous. This unfair behavior not only affected Busquets’ reputation but also tarnished the image and credibility of Barcelona, causing the team to lose respect from some fans as well as opponents.
3. Dele Alli
From the beginning of his career, Dele Alli has been known as a player who specializes in diving. From 2015 to 2018, he received three yellow cards for simulation (more than any other player), and even received a warning from his then-manager (Mauricio Pochettino) to stop. In 2017, he was even suspected of gesturing towards the referee while playing for the England national team.
Since 2019, Dele Alli’s form has rapidly declined, moving from Spurs to Everton and then loaned to Besiktas in Turkey. This has disappointed fans of the club and the national team, with many believing that he is not willing to put in the appropriate effort for the salary he receives.
4. Ashley Young
Ashley Young is an English footballer who has played as a winger and full-back. Young has played for Manchester United, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray. Young is a talented player but has also faced criticism for simulating injury to earn penalties.
Young won 11 penalties in 200 Premier League appearances before the end of 2012. This made him the player with the most penalties won in the Premier League in a short period. However, many believe that Young simulated injury to earn penalties.
Former manager Alex Ferguson once said Young “dives very well” to earn penalties in 2012. David Moyes, Ferguson’s successor, also warned Young about simulation. Other coaches and critics have also criticized Young for simulation.
Young eventually returned to the Premier League and spent two seasons with Aston Villa (2021-2023). Due to his age, he played as a right-back, which helped him stay away from opponents’ penalty areas. It is unclear whether Young has an issue with his ears or not. However, it seems that he tends to simulate when given the opportunity. Simulating has earned Young criticism, but he remains a talented player.
5. Diego Costa
Diego Costa is a Spanish footballer currently playing for Atlético Madrid. He is known for his excellent striker role and impressive goal-scoring ability. However, in addition to his talent on the field, Costa is also famous for his hot-headed and quick-tempered nature.
Costa has faced much criticism for his violent behavior, including stomping on opponents’ feet during matches. He has also been penalized for these inappropriate actions. Some football fans believe that Costa is a dishonorable player who does not deserve respect, and this has affected his image and reputation in the football world.
6. Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is an English footballer currently playing for Chelsea. Sterling is a talented player but is also disliked by many fans. One reason is that Sterling left Liverpool to join Manchester City in 2015. Sterling was only 20 at the time and was considered one of Liverpool’s most promising young talents. However, Sterling decided to leave Liverpool to join Manchester City for a higher salary. Many Liverpool fans believe that Sterling betrayed them and booed him every time he returned to Anfield.
Another reason Sterling is disliked is that he had a skirmish with Joe Gomez during an England national team training session in 2019. Sterling grabbed Gomez by the throat, leading to Sterling being dropped from the national team shortly after.
The final reason Sterling is disliked is that he is often caught simulating injury to earn penalties. Sterling is dubbed the “King of Dives,” and many believe that he is trying to cheat to help his team win.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why Raheem Sterling is disliked by many football fans. He left Liverpool to join Manchester City for a higher salary, had a skirmish with his teammate, and is often caught simulating injury to earn penalties.
7. Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is a Spanish footballer currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Ramos is a renowned defender with strong defensive capabilities but is also known for his unsportsmanlike behavior and rough fouls.
Ramos has been sent off 26 times throughout his career and holds the La Liga record for most red cards. Ramos’s red card record is extraordinary, now including two red cards for PSG.
Ramos can play as a defender and has a very strong defensive style, even using dirty tricks like pulling shirts or going to ground heavily. Ramos uses all his abilities to prevent opponents from scoring, even if it means resorting to fouls. This has made him a player disliked by many, leading to mocking laughter when he inadvertently misses a penalty kick.
Although Ramos is a talented player, his unsportsmanlike behavior and rough fouls have made him one of the most disliked players in football.
8. Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez, a Uruguayan footballer, is famous not only for his outstanding football talent but also for issues related to his on-field behavior. He is known for controversial and shocking actions, most notably biting opponents. Throughout his career, Suarez has been suspended and fined multiple times for these unacceptable behaviors. The most notable event was in 2014 during the World Cup when he bit an Italian player, earning himself the nickname “Cannibal.” These actions have made him one of the most hated players in the world of football.
Despite Luis Suarez’s known talent and impressive goal-scoring abilities, his reputation has also been affected by unsportsmanlike behaviors on the field. Besides biting opponents, Suarez is also notorious for theatrics and overreactions when fouled. These actions have created a negative image of him in the eyes of fans and even led some to refuse to support him despite his outstanding achievements on the field.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the G.O.A.T.s (Greatest of All Time). However, he also has a significant number of anti-fans. Like other forwards, Ronaldo is hated because he frequently dives to earn penalties. This led to Google showing his images seven times when searching the keyword “Penaldo.” Ronaldo also tends to be petulant and often complains, which many perceive as being a sore loser.
Furthermore, Ronaldo is disliked by many for his flashy appearance. He often wears earrings and uses hair gel, making him look like a “Ken doll.”
However, the main reason Ronaldo is hated is that he is too good. He consistently scores goals and helps his team win. This makes many football fans jealous, and they begin to hate Ronaldo.
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo is a talented player but also one who is disliked by many. The main reason he is hated is that he is too good and often dives.
10. Neymar
Neymar is a player with many polarizing opinions, but it can be said that many still hate Neymar. Despite committing many fouls himself, Neymar is still known for diving, exaggerating contact, and writhing in fake pain before quickly recovering and playing at the highest level just minutes later.
Neymar’s questionable character was first shown in 2010 when his altercation with Santos coach Dorival Junior led to the coach’s dismissal. Since then, he has continued to lack respect for players, coaches, and referees throughout his career, receiving numerous red cards.
After four years playing for Barcelona, Neymar moved to PSG to play in the less competitive Ligue 1. The transfer in 2017 seemed to be driven more by money than footballing reasons.
Finally, Neymar’s playing style is quite selfish. He wants to do everything himself rather than involve teammates, and sometimes he succeeds, but these decisions can lead to his team losing and disappointing fans. With only a few years left at the top, Neymar has not won any European titles since moving to PSG.
Conclude
Among the players on the most hated soccer players list, there are those who deserve criticism but there are players who are attacked for being too talented and excellent. Fans need to have a more objective and fair view when evaluating each player so that we can enjoy the best from the king sport.
See also: Ranking top 10 lowest paid football player in 2024
