There are many ways in which a footballer can annoying.
It could be his hairdo, flashy car, disregard for professionalism or they might have done nothing wrong whatsoever but you just can’t stand them.
Whatever the reason, here are 25 of the most annoying footballers on the planet (hint…one of them is Arjen Robben!)
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben has become one of the biggest divers in world football. He even apologized for one of his dives in late 2011.
Would he have been so apologetic if it were not for television replays?
Football is always more entertaining when people stand on their feet to play it.
Joey Barton
Joey Barton’s latest act of violence has resulted in a 12-game ban and I’m pretty sure most people are getting sick about hearing how he could walk into the England team were it not for his baggage.
Better than Gerrard, Lampard, Parker or Barry? No, no, no and no.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Brilliantly talented yet occasionally obnoxious.
Cristiano Ronaldo has staked a claim for the Ballon d’Or is this year by publicly claiming (see video) he is better than Lionel Messi.
If he kept his mouth closed for a month or two and did his talking on the pitch alone, people might warm to him a little more.
Serial diving doesn’t aid his fan base.
Nicolas Anelka
Is Nicolas Anelka ever not causing issues, arguing with playing staff or sulking?
Does anyone care anymore?
John Terry
John Terry is loved by all when he dons an England shirt, but back in the Premier League blue of Chelsea, he is despised due to his alleged racism and philandering cases.
At the end of the day, his inclusion in the England team over Rio Ferdinand has detracted from the squad’s preparation for the competition.
Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra has learned a lot from former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville.
Most of it is how to be whining and annoying whilst playing football.
Mario Balotelli
When Mario Balotelli hits the headlines, it rarely seems to be because he’s done something immense on the football pitch.
The antics were amusing to begin with but now it would be nice to see some footballing potential begin to mature.
El Hadji Diouf
Possibly one of the most annoying footballers that has ever graced a pitch.
After spitting on a Celtic fan during his Liverpool days, Diouf now finds himself playing for Doncaster Rovers. Whether he will be there next season is another matter.
Ronaldinho
A footballer of a different type of annoyance is Ronaldinho.
Blessed with amazing skill and ability, Ronaldinho was once considered one of the best midfielders in the game.
Such a shame that he allowed his social persona to affect his ability on the pitch. Losing that yard of pace lessened his effectiveness and it was all his own doing.
Personality-wise, you’ve still got to love him.
Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole is generally considered to have no loyalty to anyone—just ask Arsenal and Cheryl Cole.
Charles N’Zogbia
Inconsistency is the reason why Charles N’Zogbia is so annoying.
The Aston Villa winger was scoring goals and making assists for fun in his days at Wigan Athletic. Now, not so much.
Carlos Tevez
He’s staying, he’s never playing for the club again, he’s staying, he’s going.
Carlos Tevez is annoying in the fact that he never stays at a club long enough to become a legend.
William Gallas
William Gallas has managed to play for the London trifecta of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur.
You can pretty much guarantee that two-thirds of London hate him.
Aaron Lennon
You’re 25 now, Aaron. Time to stop shaving lines into your eyebrows.
Emile Heskey
Once a pacy, strong, agile, aerial threat in the Premier League—now a useless lump that is often injured.
Retire already Emile.
Kevin Davies
Kevin Davies is the dirtiest player that the Premier League has ever seen.
If you want to see flowing football, pray that Kevin Davies is on the substitutes bench.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan thinks that Zlatan is the best footballer ever. Whilst he might be correct, nobody wants to hear it.
Nicklas Bendtner
Similarly, Nicklas Bendtner thinks he has the potential to be the best player ever.
Paddypower should get some more publicity if that ever happened.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is generally annoying to anyone who’s not a Liverpool fan. Just when you think you’ve got Liverpool beaten, he’ll smash one in from 30 yards. How rude.
Didier Drogba
Falls over alarmingly often for such a well-built giant of a man.
Perhaps he’ll find the ground a little more even in China.
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs just won’t retire. Is he the most-hated-by-the-junior-players winger ever?
Give someone else a go, Ryan.
Gennaro Gattuso
Just one of those ankle-biting, kicking, screaming, I’ll-do-anything-to-win type of players that can really get on your nerves.
Great if he’s on your team though.
Rafael Van Der Vaart
Even his former club manager Harry Redknapp states that Mr van der Vaart is one for complaining.
Apparently he doesn’t like being played out of position.
Michael Brown
The tackle depicted in the photograph above is exactly why Michael Brown should change his playing style.
After injuring numerous footballers during his career, Brown’s unwillingness to change makes him hard to warm to.
Marco Materazzi
25 OF 25
After insulting one of the world’s greatest players, Marco Materazzi received a headbutt to the chest for his troubles and feigned injury on the floor for a while.
Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane was sent off in his final international appearance for violent conduct.
Materazzi soured what was supposed to be the great Frenchman’s swan song—although there was no condoning what Zidane did.