Referring to Ronaldo or Messi, we will immediately think of the legends of contemporary football. Superstar players carry countless records that will be a long time before someone breaks. However, you may not know, the above 2 names are also 2/10 of the most hated soccer players in the world. It sounds a bit funny and quite absurd, but it is true, listed by reputable newspapers. If you want to know who this list includes? Read on below.
Most hated soccer players - Who is that?
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has amassed countless individual and team accolades, notably 4 Ballon d'Or awards and 4 European Golden Shoes. Like Messi, Ronaldo also has a massive anti-fan base. However, these facts cannot deny the truth that Ronaldo is one of the most formidable goal-scoring machines of all time.
Ronaldo, along with Messi, is one of the rare players who face criticism for everything they do. Whether they score or not, they are criticized. Even scoring from penalties draws ridicule, and missing penalties invites even harsher criticism. In short, anything they do becomes ammunition for their detractors to attack them relentlessly.
2. Lionel Messi
Right behind Ronaldo on the list of most most hated soccer players is his great rival - Lionel Messi. Messi is one of the greatest footballers of all time, with a huge influence in both the sports and social spheres. However, like other famous figures, he also faces criticism and condemnation from some segments of the public.
L. Messi anti-fans often focus on issues such as tax evasion allegations, his failures with the national team, and even aspects of Messi's personal character. They are ready to find fault, criticize every action and gesture of his to create grounds for criticism and attack. Nevertheless, Messi's significant influence in football and society cannot be denied. He has been honored in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in both 2011 and 2012.
3. Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez, born on January 24, 1987, is one of the top forwards ever produced by Uruguayan football. He shone at Ajax and Liverpool before joining Barcelona and becoming one of the greatest goal scorers of all time. However, alongside his talent, Suarez is also associated with scandalous incidents. He is nicknamed the "Cannibal" due to his infamous biting incidents on the field.
Not only has he shocked with his actions on the pitch, but Suarez has also displayed moments of lack of control and controversy, from punching opposing players to behaving rudely towards fans. With these notorious actions, Suarez has proven himself to be not only a football superstar but also an icon of shocking incidents and unsportsmanlike behavior in the world of football.
4. Diego Costa
The next name on the most hated soccer players list is Diego Costa. This forward has gone through various stages with different teams before becoming a top striker for Atlético Madrid. By the 2013-2014 season, Atlético won the La Liga title. Costa then moved to Chelsea for £32.5 million.
In England, he not only excelled in scoring goals but also became notorious for his aggressive and controversial playing style. Fans in the UK particularly dislike Diego Costa for his confrontational situations and rough behavior on the pitch.
5. Pepe
Pepe was born on February 26, 1983, in Maceió, Brazil. At the age of 18, Pepe and a friend left the youth team of Corinthians Alagoano in Brazil and moved to Portugal to play for the B team of C.S. Marítimo on the island of Madeira. Pepe matured in the colors of Porto and is currently one of the pillars in the defensive line of Real Madrid.
He is a center-back known for his tough and aggressive playing style, sometimes bordering on violence. In many matches, Pepe has struggled to control himself and has engaged in malicious tackles, harsh challenges, and has even been involved in altercations with opponents, notably intentionally stepping on Messi's hand during the 2012 season.
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6. Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets, born on July 16, 1988, in Sabadell, Spain. In 2005, Busquets joined the youth team of FC Barcelona and quickly made an impression with 7 goals in 26 matches for Juvenil A during the 2006-2007 season. Two years later, he moved up to the B team under coach Josep Guardiola, helping the team advance to the third division.
During this season, he made his debut for the first team and since then, Busquets has become one of the premier defensive midfielders in the world. However, alongside his playing duties, Busquets is also known for his theatrics on the field, especially in high-profile matches like El Clasico, with notable instances of simulation. Not only in important matches, but Busquets has increasingly tarnished his image with theatrics and simulation, making him a subject of criticism from fans.
7. John Terry
Terry is the most successful captain of Chelsea, leading them to 5 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, one UEFA Europa League, and one UEFA Champions League. He is one of five players to have made over 500 appearances for Chelsea and is also the club's all-time leading goal-scoring defender.
He is one of the early legends of Chelsea, one of the finest defenders in the history of the London club as well as the England national team. However, behind the talents Terry displayed on the field, off the pitch, the defender born in 1980 is an entirely different person. He is notorious as one of the top party animals in the English football scene.
8. Ashley Young
Ashley Young was born on July 9, 1985, in Stevenage, England. He currently plays as a left-wing midfielder for Manchester United. Ashley Young is famous for his theatrics, diving to earn cards and penalties with great finesse. There have been numerous occasions when the English player has faced criticism from fans at Old Trafford for his simulation antics.
Young has often become the focal point of criticism from both the media and online communities following controversies related to his diving incidents on the field, which perhaps contributed to him becoming one of the most disliked players.
9. Daniel Alves
Daniel Alves was born on May 6, 1983, in Bahia, Brazil. He is one of the best and most expensive full-backs in the world. Daniel Alves has played for Sevilla FC, Barcelona, and currently plays for Juventus, achieving success and accolades at each club he has been to.
Alongside his talent, Daniel Alves is also known as a "performer" on the field. His dramatic falls and dives have often earned him free kicks, but it has tarnished his image, with the Brazilian player frequently being the subject of mockery from fans worldwide. In fact, he is often regarded as one of the biggest divers in the world of football.
10. Joey Barton
The last name on the most hated soccer players list is Joey Barton. Joey Barton was born on September 2, 1982, in Huyton, Merseyside. He began his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after working his way up through their youth system.
Barton is notorious for being a violent player, prone to altercations and even displaying abnormal behavior. He has been convicted twice for assaulting others. Perhaps Joey Barton's case doesn't need media coverage to be known, but he is still considered by football fans as one of the most aggressive and despicable figures.
Conclude
Above is a list of Top 10 most hated soccer players in the world compiled by the Wintips website. In fact, in the world of football, almost every player will have a certain number of anti-fans, not just the stars mentioned above. But they also have their own enthusiastic fans, ready to support idols anytime, anywhere. Who are you fans of, and who you hate, on this list? Let's talk to other brothers.
See also: Top 10 worst football player in the Premier League ever
