THE IGBO GIANT STRIDES AGAINST ALL ODDS
9 years ago
And, as I'm sure I've left some good ones out, feel free to have a go at me in the comments.
Like many sports, football has had its fair share of crazy players through the years.
The difference between the beautiful game and other sports, however, is that people from nearly every country on earth can converge in a few regions, where they are allowed to play with abandon on a football pitch.
That is a recipe for craziness, and every league has seen enigmas whose actions defy explanation and who seem to belong in therapy, rather than on a club team.
Out of those many insane current and former individuals, here are 15 who embody the term, for one reason or another, more than the rest.
He has done countless things both on and off the pitch to enhance his image as an insane but immensely talented striker who just can’t get out of his own way.
Balotelli is the undisputed King of the Crazy in football right now; the Sultan of Silliness; the Ruler of the Ridiculous.
He has done countless things both on and off the pitch to enhance his image as an insane but immensely talented striker who just can’t get out of his own way.
Incidents include: driving onto a Manchester university’s campus unannounced to hang out and use the bathroom; throwing darts at reserve team players; crashing a press conference while at Inter Milan; setting his house on fire; trying to backheel an easy goal against the LA Galaxy; getting assorted oily fish placed in the plush interior of his Bugatti; and, ironically, revealing a t-shirt that asked “Why always me?” after scoring a goal.
I don’t know exactly why, Mario. Perhaps it’s just your odd nature. But, regardless, you are, without a doubt, the craziest player in football.
MARADONA was a man who never once shied away from the more dangerous parts of the regions in which he played, allegedly creating connections with the mafia in Italy, fathering an illegitimate son and using cocaine for years.
While he tried to curb his irascible demeanor later in his career, he still maintained a fierce rivalry with Patrick Vieira that occasionally turned violent.
The Ivorian utility player was such an enigma that a popular chant amongst Arsenal fans when he played for the Gunners was “You’ve only come to see Eboue.” And, on certain days, he was the most interesting act on the pitch.
In every country he has played, controversy has followed him. In France, he was convicted of driving without a license, and in England he developed the rather unsavory habit of spitting in the faces of fans, opposing players and even ball boys. He has also used racist slurs against those awful kids on the touchline and gotten into his fair share of brawls.
While playing for Lazio, he gave the controversial Roman salute to the clubs fans as a supposed sign of respect. When he was suspended and forced to pay a fine, he proclaimed that he will never stop making the gesture, which gives him "a sense of belonging."
He has also declared his admiration for Benito Mussolini, and has "Il Duce" tattooed on
his right bicep.
He doesn’t reconcile when he plays, either, as you’ll commonly see him diving in rashly and throwing himself at defenders to win balls and score goals.
CANTONA Always an outspoken and loud leader, Cantona was never content to do his talking with his play, and his short temper led to some memorable spurts of insanity.
One might think that Cantona would have been contrite following this incredible rush of blood to the head, but the Frenchman later said that attacking the man was "a great feeling" and one that he is happy for fans to remember.
JOEY BARTON Over the years, the irascible Englishman has been in and out of prison for assault, and that really tells you all you need to know about how this man's mind works.
While he's tried to mellow out somewhat in recent years, his efforts have been to no avail. You simply can't take the pure, unadulterated crazy out of a man who has had it his entire life.
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