5 things footballers have done which made them look arrogant

With the money and contract situations in football today, players really can’t be blamed for being arrogant.Star footballers are paid hundreds of thousands every week, attract loads of sponsors and have their names on everyone’s lips. Add that to the self-confidence needed to make it to the top, and you may find that it’s pretty hard not to get swell-headed.Even the humblest of players have found themselves in situations where they come off a bit smug, but a select few really take it to another level. Here are five instances where footballers have done just that.

#1 Mario Balotelli\'s life-sized statue

Balotelli is known for his pompous demeanor

Mario Balotelli has always been one for controversy. ‘Why always him?’ you might wonder, but Super Mario wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Italy striker is as arrogant as it gets, and apparently, he wants to live forever. Back in 2013, Balotelli reportedly ordered a life-sized statue of himself so he could keep it at his house. The contracted sculptor – Livio Scarpella – had this to say: "I presented several drawings but Mario wanted to be immortalised in a pose that shows him having scored a goal, highlighting his muscles and with an expression of defiance.”

What was he thinking? Isn’t one Mario already too much trouble?

#2 Francesco Totti\'s \'selfie\' celebration

Totti has been with Roma for more than 23 years now

Roma legend Francesco Totti will be remembered for his remarkable ability on the ball when he finally hangs up his boots. But the Italian midfielder also has a penchant for arrogance.

His constant attempts to embarrass opposing players with fancy footwork, added to his over-the-top goal celebrations have made him a bit of a villain outside Roma.

One celebration, in particular, must have really irked the multitude. After scoring an important equalizer to put his team level at 2-2 vs Lazio, Totti would celebrate by taking a selfie with the cheering crowd in the background. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Roma man added a cool duck face to the thing.

Not many footballers would have gotten away with such a display of arrogance. But Captain Totti showed, yet again, that he does what he wants.

#3 David Beckham\'s \"Miami Beckham United\"

Beckham bought the Miami-based franchise for MLS in 2014

Former England captain David Beckham has been a brand ever since he rose to stardom at Manchester United. Now retired from the game, Beckham is in the process of building a brand new MLS football club which will be based in Miami, Florida.

Well that doesn’t seem arrogant at all does it? Not until one finds out that the proposed company name is ‘Miami Beckham United’.

Adding his name to a franchise, albeit his own, does seem a tad bit vain. Isn’t a glamorous life, a spice girl wife and a club of his own enough for David Beckham?

But then again, how do you please a man who already has everything? Throwing his name in a team’s brand would probably help.

#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic or \'Jesus Christ\'!

Ibrahimovic became PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer in October

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is as arrogant as he is skillful. The Swedish striker is one of the biggest characters in football, and over the years, has set himself up for much criticism due to his unrelenting narcissism.

According to Paris Saint-Germain teammate Marco Verratti, Ibrahimovic would claim to be Jesus (yes, Jesus the son of God) in an attempt to break the ice when Carlo Ancelotti arrived as the new coach.

"Carlo Ancelotti was a bit tense, so Ibra approached him and asked him if he believed in Jesus. Ancelotti said yes, so Ibra told him: 'Good, so you believe in me. You can relax!' Zlatan is like this – he has a lot of self-confidence. This helps him to be a great player."

Zlatan really danced on the line between arrogance and insanity with this one.

#5 Cristiano Ronaldo\'s biographical movie

‘Ronaldo’, the movie had its premiere in London

Cristiano Ronaldo’s petulance on the pitch, combined with his selfishness and constant diving has earned him quite the reputation. But this year, the Ballon d’Or winner took it up a notch, releasing a movie about himself called ‘Ronaldo’ (as if it could be named anything else).

There really is nothing wrong with such a movie, except if you’re still heavily involved in whatever it is you do. Had he made the movie a few years after retirement, then all well and good. But doing so while still at the peak of your career just rubs people the wrong way.

Could we have expected anything less from him, though? Probably not.