Top 10 Most Unprofessional Footballers in History
Football demands more than just talent; players must show dedication and the right mindset. Still, over the years, several players have stood out for their lack of professionalism, sometimes overshadowing their skills. Here is a ranked list of 10 footballers known for their questionable behavior and approach to the sport.
10. Mario Balotelli - Italy
Mario Balotelli’s antics off the pitch are well-documented, from setting off fireworks indoors to returning overweight for pre-season training at Nice in 2018. Brescia also publicly noted he weighed nearly 100kg when rejoining them in 2020. His confident and often arrogant demeanor has drawn criticism, with even young talents like Phil Foden calling him out for his attitude.
9. Mark Bosnich - Australia
Mark Bosnich had undeniable goalkeeping talent but struggled with fitness and professionalism. Paul Scholes highlighted how quickly Bosnich tired during shooting practice. Sir Alex Ferguson recalled Bosnich indulging excessively in food during matches and failing to improve despite warnings, even ordering takeout on return trips.
8. Antonio Cassano - Italy
Antonio Cassano was outspoken and never shy about sharing his views, famously excluding Cristiano Ronaldo from his top 10 players. His career was marred by unprofessional habits, notably unhealthy eating. While at Real Madrid, Cassano reportedly gained 14 kilos due to eating Nutella straight from the jar, disregarding fitness concerns.
7. Winston Bogarde - Netherlands
After playing for top clubs including Ajax and Barcelona, Winston Bogarde joined Chelsea but barely played, making only 12 appearances in four years. Despite being unwanted, he stayed at Stamford Bridge to collect his £40,000 weekly wages. Bogarde admitted he might be one of the worst Premier League signings but said it didn’t bother him.
6. Jesse Lingard - England
Jesse Lingard's career divides opinion. Though part of England’s 2018 World Cup semi-final squad, his professionalism was questioned, especially after posting a profane holiday video online. Gary Neville defended him, but others saw it as a sign of deeper issues at Manchester United. Lingard later faced a police probe in South Korea for riding an electric scooter without a license.
5. Ross McCormack - Scotland
Ross McCormack impressed with 100 goals at Leeds and Fulham, earning a £12 million move to Aston Villa. His spell at Villa was disappointing, scoring just three times in 20 games. He famously missed training because a broken electric gate trapped him at home. His excuse irritated the manager who expected punctuality despite the mishap.
4. Paul Gascoigne - England
Paul Gascoigne was brilliant on his day but frequently unprofessional. During the 1990 World Cup, he was caught playing tennis at 1am before England’s semi-final against Germany. Gazza described that period as the best time of his life, enjoying himself freely, often treating the tournament like a holiday rather than strict preparation.
3. Eden Hazard - Belgium
Eden Hazard dazzled at Chelsea with extraordinary dribbling skills but failed to replicate that success at Real Madrid, scoring only seven goals in 76 games. Jose Mourinho criticized his poor training habits, suggesting Hazard’s lack of discipline in practice held him back from reaching greater heights.
2. Amr Zaki - Egypt
Amr Zaki scored 11 goals in 32 appearances on loan at Wigan, yet manager Steve Bruce branded him the most unprofessional player he ever dealt with. Bruce went public with his frustration after Zaki repeatedly returned late from international duty. Despite this, Zaki expressed he would warmly greet Bruce if they met again.
1. Stan Bowles - England
Stan Bowles is celebrated as Queens Park Rangers' greatest player but also a notorious maverick. After QPR’s 1973 FA Cup win, Bowles once kicked the trophy into the air during warm-up, denting it. His usual routine involved lingering in betting shops until moments before kick-off. Not the picture of professionalism, yet undeniably talented.
