Football is the most beautiful game on the planet. However, the presence of villainous characters in any aspect of life only adds to the excitement, wonder, and awe. And football, itself, is not devoid of villains. Whether it is by their on-field brashness or off-field antics, some of the biggest names to have ever graced the game have really helped to mould it into the spectacle that it is.
For many, it is the presence of these personalities that makes football such a riveting sport. These players are always making the headlines, and more often than not for the negative reasons.
On some occasions, some of these footballers are hated by the fans because of sheer club loyalty and blinded faith. Mostly, though, these players have crossed the line too many times with their words and action, inciting abhorrence with their behaviour.
On that note, here we list five footballers who have been hated the most in the world in recent times.
#1 Diego Costa
Without a doubt, Diego Costa is the most controversial player in the Premier League at present. Although he appears to be a reformed man under new Antonio Conte, the question still looms large whether he is as changed as it appears. Chelsea does have a rich tradition of harbouring angsty stars.
(Video Courtesy: Football Time YouTube Channel)
Disliked for goading his way through the opposition defence, Costa is never shy of starting a fight. He has scored many important goals for his club, but the flair for the controversial has not exactly made him a favourite with the fans. Since his arrival, the Brazilian-born forward has had more theatrical feuds than a WWE star.
His decision to turn out for Spain at international level was also considered to be an insulting affront to a football-crazy nation. Costa’s main modus operandi seems to be to poke, kick and even bite his opponents which have earned him a reputation as football’s pantomime villain.
#2 Pepe
Real Madrid star Pepe is famed for his barbaric approach to football. He is the kind of player that every team wants to have but hates coming up against. Of course, he satiates the needs of those fans who believe that the game is becoming less and less physical but sometimes even Pepe crosses the line.
(Video Courtesy: musictiggers YouTube Channel)
He is a serial winner with but then again he is everything that is wrong with football rolled up into one angry Portuguese defender. Pepe’s hall of fame includes headbutts, stomps, kicks, elbow, altercations with the referee, racism charges, you name it.
Once, he “accidently” stepped on Lionel Messi’s hand while walking past during an El Classico fixture in 2012. And if his violence on the field was not enough, Pepe has often been guilty of simulation, clutching his face and legs on several occasions when an opponent has so much as breathed near him.
#3 Marouane Fellaini
Perhaps, Marouane Fellaini is the only player on this list who is hated by his own team’s fans more than fans of rival clubs. When David Moyes first brought him to Old Trafford, many expected that he would show the kind of form that he had been in at Everton. However, that was never the case.
Taunting chants, scornful tweets and more than just a few laughs have been aimed at him because of his dismal performances on the pitch. A long string of underwhelming performances have left Fellaini in the wake of the fan’s ire many times.
(Video Courtesy: Footballshow Tavares YouTube Channel)
Although he did work hard to earn some level of respect, all was undone at Goodison Park earlier this season. With United leading 1-0, Fellaini was brought on to shut out the game. Barely two minutes on the pitch, and he gave away a needless penalty. This was not the first time he had made a major error giving fans every right to hate him.
Fellaini is also known for swaying elbows, grabbing/holding onto the opposition during set-pieces and making stupid tackles, which have angered his own fans and the opposition’s.
#4 Mauro Icardi
One would think that scoring 14 goals in 18 Serie A matches would be enough for football fans to love Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi. However, it certainly isn’t the case. In fact, it’s very much the opposite. So much so, that the Inter supporters even called their captain a “vile piece of s***.”
(Video Courtesy: MrptvSports2 YouTube Channel)
This has many justifications. First, Icardi had an illicit affair with former teammate, Maxi Lopez’s ex-wife Nara. But the Argentine was not to stop at that. Instead of keeping a low profile, Icardi went all out, professing his love on social media platforms. Now, one should keep in mind that the affair had begun long before Lopez separated with Nara.
Icardi even went on to irate the fan base with his comments in his autobiography. This never goes well with any set of fans and neither did it go well with the Inter Ultras. Since then, Icardi has been cheered for missing penalties, been asked to give up his captaincy and much more.
#5 Sergio Busquets
At the elite level of football, simulation remains a very pertinent issue. However, there are certain players of the “art” who strive to keep it alive and actually thrive on it. Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is one of the first names in this category.
(Video Courtesy: lokomagaluf YouTube Channel)
Although the Spaniard plays as a defensive midfielder, a position which is not as frequently associated with simulation as other positions, he is one of the best divers that there is around. Busquets has often been labeled as a cheater for diving and feigning injury.
Once, during a Champions League fixture against Inter Milan in 2009-10, Busquets had clashed with Thiago Motta. He was seen rolling and clutching his face only to pause and take a peek to see if the referee was taking any action against Motta. He seems to forget that the world is watching in those moments of contact, or the lack of it.
