5 players who have been fouled the most since 2016

Football is all about scoring goals and is often considered a game between offense and defense, with the midfielders dictating the play.

Players can either tackle or intercept to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. However, when it is not possible, fouling the player is another viable option to break play.

Primarily, defensive midfielders are tasked with making cheap fouls to stop a promising attack. If the midfielder brings the player down, it will be a yellow card in the worst-case scenario as he wasn’t the last man defending. If the midfielder gets beaten, there will always be players covering behind him.

Players with nimble feet and flashy skills have been notoriously difficult to defend against. They have the innate ability to beat multiple players and create goal-scoring opportunities with their own dribbling skills. Defenders and midfielders end up bringing these players down more often than not.

This article will discuss five players who have been the most fouled since 2016.

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#5 Juan Cuadrado (fouled 729 times)

Juventus' versatile Colombian Juan Cuadrado draws quite a few fouls.

Defenders, including full-backs, are often not known for their dribbling capabilities. The only palatable reason for his inclusion in a list of this ilk is that he used to play as a winger. Juan Cuadrado currently plays as a right-back or right wing-back for Juventus but has operated further up the field previously.

The Colombian international is a very attack-minded full-back. Even at the age of 33, he is one of the fastest players in his position. His sublime agility, coupled with his dribbling skills, allows him to draw fouls in dangerous areas for both club and country.

Once deemed a flop at Chelsea, Cuadrado has settled well in Turin. He is highly regarded as one of the best full-backs in terms of attacking attributes. The fact that he has drawn 729 fouls since 2016 solidifies that argument.

Interestingly, the five-time Serie A winner has been fouled more than the likes of Eden Hazard and Wilfried Zaha.

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#4 Andrea Belotti (fouled 747 times)

Andrea Belotti has been Torino's talisman in recent years.

Andrea Belotti isn’t a player who would spring to mind quickly when one would think about players who get fouled often. However, the Italian forward has been brought down a massive 747 times over the last five years. That is more than several other Serie A forwards, including Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Paulo Dybala.

Belotti has developed a reputation for being a clinical striker who can head the ball well, while his physique is another major positive within his game. The Torino skipper has enough strength to fend off defenders and hold the ball up. In the process, opposition players end up fouling him.

The Torino number 9 was utilized as an impact substitute during Italy’s run to Euro 2020 glory.

Belotti has been a revelation for the Serie A club over the years. Since his move from Palermo in 2015, he has recorded 108 goals and 25 assists in 240 appearances across all competitions for Torino.

#3 Jack Grealish (fouled 747 times)

Jack Grealish is yet to fully settle in at Manchester City.

Jack Grealish is the most fouled Premier League player since 2016, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The former Aston Villa talisman drew fouls like there was no tomorrow during his time at Villa Park. His exceptional dribbling skills allowed him to run riot against defenders who had no option but to stop him by hook or crook.

Last summer, the Englishman earned a big-money move to Premier League champions Manchester City. Although he hasn’t been as influential as he would have liked, the Cityzens are enjoying a fruitful season. He will be looking to win his first major trophy this season, with Pep Guardiola's side still competing in three competitions.

The 26-year-old has scored three goals and has bagged as many assists in 25 games for Pep Guardiola’s side. These numbers have brought him his fair share of criticism, but Manchester City's incredible form has seen pundits and fans let it pass for now at least.

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#2 Lionel Messi (fouled 839 times)

Lionel Messi is yet to start firing after joining Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest player of all time. Apart from his goalscoring, his passing and dribbling have also caught the eye of football lovers. His low center of gravity, along with his agility and balance, allows him to go past opposition players with ease.

It goes without saying that Messi gets fouled quite often. Teams have deployed two or three players to mark the Argentine magician in the past. If the first player can’t dispossess Messi, the second will. If the second player can’t stop him, the third can bring him down.

But even three man-markers have proved to be insufficient at times.

Even after using such prudent strategies, La Pulga has maintained his consistent goal-scoring record. Since 2016, the former Barcelona winger has drawn 839 fouls. He moved to Paris Saint-Germain last year and is yet to start firing consistently but has been involved in 16 goals for them in 22 matches.

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#1 Neymar Jr. (fouled 1040 times)

Neymar Jr. has been incredible for PSG whenever he's played for them.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Neymar Jr. has been fouled on the most number of occasions since 2016. The Brazilian has a trait of going down too soon. While some fans and experts have criticized the PSG man for diving, he manages to win free-kicks for his team.

Like his teammate Messi, Neymar is gifted with splendid dribbling and ball control. His footwork and trickery are second to none. However, while Messi tries to stay on his feet and continue the attack, Neymar doesn’t need a second invitation to fall over.

The 30-year-old has spent a nice chunk of time in the injury room. If he had even a remotely injury-free career at PSG, the Brazilian superstar could have easily racked up close to 1500 fouls over the last five years. Not to mention, he would have more appearances, goals and assists for the Parisians as well.