Top 5 footballers who aren't exactly in love with the sport

Weird, isn't it? How can such a beautiful sport; one that makes us forget our troubles; one that gives us the best life lessons on the pitch; one that gives us loads of memories to cherish, be hated or despised by a player himself?

I eat football, I sleep football, I breathe football. I am not mad. I am just passionate.

That's the kind of quote you would normally hear from a footballer, in this case, Thierry Henry. However, for some others, the beautiful game's nothing more than just a normal job and a rather better option for making more money than usual.

While not all who dream to be footballers can be professionals, some don't enjoy being one even when they have reached the required level.

Here, let's take a look at five players who aren't exactly in love with football.

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# David Batty

David Batty hasn't been able to watch football since retirement

David Batty was an English professional footballer who plied his trade for Leeds, Blackburn and Newcastle in his 18-year football career. He was also a part of the Three Lions squad in UEFA Euro 1992 and FIFA World Cup 1998. He is mostly remembered for missing a penalty for England against Argentina in the World Cup.

Back in 2007, he admitted his disregard for the game saying,

“The national game is boring. And I’ve not been to watch any match since I finished playing. I can never understand anybody paying to watch it, never mind going all the way across the world to see it. You want to be entertained."

Well, well, well...

#4 Bobby Zamora

Bobby Zamora played for several sides

English Premier League fans will recognize Bobby Zamora at an instant from his days at Fulham FC. The English striker also played for Brighton & Hove, Bristol Rovers, West Ham, Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers and also represented the English national team twice, eventually retiring in 2016.

Back in 2012, when asked about his future plans after retiring from the sport, he replied,

"I’m not sure what I want to do after I finish playing but if it means watching football then I don’t want to get involved."

"I’m not a massive football fan, really."

"Quite a lot more players than (those that admit it) are the same. I don’t watch games on an evening or anything like that. A lot of people find it strange."

For a man who has played the game for 17 years, it is rather enigmatic how he can cut himself off from the sport that easily, whereas other retired players pine for more football.

#3 Curtis Woodhouse

Curtis Woodhouse left football for boxing

Former England U-21 star Curtis Woodhouse played football from 1997 to 2006, eventually quitting the game and turning into a professional boxer at the age of 26. He returned to the sport as a part-time footballer, signing for Rushden and Diamonds in November 2006. From then onwards he played until 2012, retiring at Sheffield United.

When asked about his views on the beautiful game, they weren't the usual honeyed words football has always garnered.

"The best years of my life were 10 to 17. That was when I desperately wanted to be John Barnes and to play for Liverpool and England. Once I became a pro, I felt it was over. I loved the journey; I despised the destination."

“People asked how I could walk away from all that money, but the more money I earned the more I hated football.”

He also claimed that hatred for the sport is common for many professionals but they refrain from revealing it. However, the good thing about Woodhouse is, he has reentered the game, deeming his son as the major factor behind his rediscovery of passion for the sport.

#2 Stephen Ireland

Stephen Ireland hates football

Premier League aficionados will certainly recognize Stephen Ireland as the player who failed to fulfil his potential at Manchester City. The Irishman currently plays for Stoke City as an attacking midfielder aged 31.

Ireland's story stretches a decade ago to 2007. The Irishman took to Bebo — a social networking website — to express his resentment for the game. He stated:

"Football is sh*t! why did I get stuck doing it?"

Apparently, the 31-year-old also incurred the wrath of his countrymen when he faked the death of his grandmothers in order to get away from the national team to spend time with his girlfriend. He apologized for it later but never played for his country again, stating that he never felt himself to be a part of it.

Funny, how people's minds work sometimes, isn't it?

#1 Gabriel Batistuta

Gabriel Batistuta is a revered figure in Florence

Gabriel Batistuta became a godly figure in Florence during his decade-long spell at Italian outfit Fiorentina. The Argentinian marksman won a host of individual accolades, also becoming La Albiceleste's all-time leading goalscorer, only to be surpassed by Lionel Messi in 2016. Also, he is Argentina's record goal scorer in the World Cup, having netted 10 times in three tournaments.

Now, in spite of having a glorious career not everyone can boast of, it was pretty strange to know Batigol's views on football. Alessandro Rialti, the co-writer of his autobiography, stated as follows:

"The important thing about Batistuta is that he is not like other players. He is a very good professional who doesn't really like football.

"Once he leaves the stadium, he doesn't want football encroaching upon the rest of his life. He is a very sensitive and intelligent man. When we were doing the book, he came to my office and for five full days, he spoke about his family and his life in Argentina.

"But when it came to the football and his career, he switched off. 'The records are there,' he said, 'you can look them up'."

Those statements cannot be termed as hatred exactly, but they don't confirm his liking either. Diego Maradona once claimed that Gabriel Batistuta was the best striker he had ever seen, while the lethal forward also made it to Pele's FIFA 100 in 2004. Yet, in spite of all the success and fame, how he isn't in love with the beautiful game is quite a mystery.