There are numerous players out there in the football world who you can’t help but have feelings of love and hate towards. One minute they are scoring a thunderbolt or pulling off an impossible save or tackle, and the next minute they’re rolling around on the floor after touching heads with another player.
Also read: 5 most hated footballers in the world currently
Sometimes they act despicably on the pitch, but at other times their technical ability means you can’t help but admire them. These five players fall perfectly under that description.
#1 Diego Costa
Diego Costa is the first name you think of when it comes to a love/hate relationship with a player. Despite scoring 17 goals this season for Premier League leaders Chelsea, Costa’s actions on the pitch always produce a reaction. Costa always seems to find himself in the middle of controversy and it’s a complete mystery how he hasn’t been sent off since plying his trade in England.
Costa perfectly epitomises a player who everyone claims is a hard man, yet with the faintest of touches from an opponent, he drops to the floor. An example of this was back in 2014 when Atletico Madrid faced Levante. Costa attempted to headbutt Mohamed Sissoko before receiving a slap to the face, after which he screamed out in a pathetic attempt to get Sissoko sent off.
However, nobody can dispute the Spaniard’s eye for goal. As mentioned, he has scored 17 league goals and has been a revelation so far this year. His contributions have been outstanding and he must be praised for his performances.
He is a player you cannot help but love and hate at the same time.
#2 David Luiz
Although his defensive abilities this year have been better than ever in a new system where Chelsea play three at the back, nobody can forget what Luiz did at Old Trafford.
His actions just a few years ago against Manchester United at Old Trafford are precisely why the Brazilian is a part of this list.
Running towards his own corner flag attempting to win a foul, he received a slightly late kick from Rafael which did warrant a foul. However, the main problem was that Luiz lay on the floor, supposedly in agony from the tackle, only to look at the camera and smile.
Feigning injury or diving is enough to anger anyone, but making it clear it was intentional by smiling at the camera lost Luiz a lot of credibility.
The Brazilian has been superb this season, which has seen a lot of people praise him and rightfully so. However, that act at Old Trafford, which is just one of a few from Luiz, will never be forgotten.
#3 Manuel Neuer
A name some might be surprised to see on the list, but Neuer’s fair share of cocky comments sees him fall under the list of players you love and hate.
“After the holiday last Wednesday, yesterday was a hard day at work again,” Neuer wrote on Facebook. The ‘holiday’ he was referring to was Bayern’s win in their last 16 home leg against Arsenal. Now, there is no denying that Bayern’s win over Arsenal was easier than anyone expected, but as a professional, this was an unnecessary comment to make.
Neuer is rated as possibly the best goalkeeper in the world. Even though he plays for one of the best teams in the world who spend a very small amount of time in games defending, he can be relied on and has proven that on many occasions.
He is an excellent shot-stopper and has also developed an outstanding ability as a ‘sweeper keeper’, with the Bayern keeper fearlessly coming out of his box to clear the danger in what would usually create a one on one situation.
The comment he made about Bayern’s win against Arsenal wasn’t his first arrogant comment, however, his ability as a goalkeeper means you can’t always hate the German.
#4 Robin van Persie
Snake, traitor and Judas are just a few words that come to mind when Robin van Persie is mentioned to Arsenal fans, who I’m sure, have no love for the Dutchman.
However, it isn’t just Arsenal fans who have feelings of hate towards van Persie. Quite recently in the Turkish Super Lig for Fenerbahce, the striker slid directly in front of Ogazhun Ozakup after scoring in their match against Besiktas. This was all after an altercation in the game, and it led to both players falling out despite previously being friends.
This was not the first time van Persie was involved in such an incident. Numerous times in the Premier League, the Dutchman found himself at the centre of controversy during games, talking and winding up the opposition.
But, Van Persie is one of a kind when it comes to footballing ability. He has scored some truly magnificent goals in his time, and as long as you aren’t an Arsenal fan, you can’t help but love him as well as hate him.
#5 Luis Suarez
Somebody who could not be left off the list is Luis Suarez.
Suarez is always at the centre of attention. He has racially abused Patrice Evra, bitten not one, but two players, and has a history of diving to earn penalties and free-kicks. He is at times the most hated footballer in the world.
But you can’t help but forget all the wrongdoings when he plays football the way he does. Suarez can score absolutely any type of goal and is willing to put his head on the line to help his team. He absolutely lit up the Premier League in his final couple of seasons and regardless of what he did, everyone still admired his ability.
And since he has moved to Spain he has continued to gain hatred and love for his actions at Barcelona. The Uruguayan is precisely a player who everybody has love and hate feelings towards.
