Soccer is a game of passion, rivalry and intense emotions for players and fans alike. Fans of the beautiful game give their all when it comes to supporting their favourite teams, no matter if they’re winning or losing. Generally, soccer players are adored by fans all over the world and feel love and support when they step onto the field. But when the stakes are high, or emotions are heightened, the passion for the game can result in players who become universally disliked. It’s no surprise that some players end up on the wrong side of the world’s most passionate supporters. Whether it’s a result of bad sportsmanship on the field, their behaviour off the field, or their rivalries with other players or teams, some soccer players have earned the title ‘most hated’. Let’s take a look at some of the most hated soccer players of all time who somehow turned their success into worldwide hatred and explore what they did to make them worthy of a place on this list!

Sergio Ramos

First up on our list of most hated soccer players is Sergio Ramos. Ramos is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in soccer history, but his career has also been impacted by controversy that has made him hated among fans. While many support him for his leadership qualities and unwavering loyalty to his club, some fans don’t agree with his aggressive playing style which often includes hard tackles, strategic fouls, and somewhat violent challenges. His playing style has resulted in many red cards, giving him the reputation of a ‘dirty’ player who goes out of his way to injure his opponents. Ramos holds the record for most red cards in LaLiga history. One of his most widely known incidents where he was given his violent reputation was his tackle on Mohamed Salah during the 2018 UEFA Champions League final. Many Liverpool fans still blame him for their star players' injury and the result of the match. Unfortunately for Ramos, being humble goes hand in hand with success, which he seems to lack in. His frequent displays of arrogance and pride after scoring goals or winning matches make it difficult to root for him. Hopefully Sergio will realize his faults and start being a better role model in the future.

Vinnie Jones

Another player that is hated for similar reasons to Sergio Ramos is Vinnie Jones. Jones was a huge part of the famous ‘Crazy Gang’ Wimbledon squad that famously won the FA Cup in 1988. He was widely recognized for his controversial and aggressive playing style that rivals didn’t want to mess with. Although Jones was known as a strong leader by his teammates, his on-field persona was seen as violent, intimidating, and feared. It was arguably the fear that was the biggest factor in his reputation as being one of the most hated players in his era. His tactics included rough tackles, off-the-ball shoves, and crossing the line between tough defending and brutality. Even though his approach to rival players was effective, fans weren’t impressed with his behaviour. Aside from his performance on the field, he was also known for his violent acts in his personal life and was in trouble with the law many times. He once bit someone's nose, was convicted of assaulting a neighbor, charged with air rage offences on a plane and involved in the occasional pub fight. Jones was known for being the ‘tough guy’ of soccer, and he certainly played into that image both on and off the field. Since his retirement from soccer, Jones has pursued his acting career. Vinnie Jones has starred in hit movies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and X-Men: The Last Stand. There’s definitely a pattern for all of the characters he’s chosen to play – they’re all people you would never want to mess with in real life. Despite his era of violence on the soccer field coming to an end, we don’t think Vinnie is ever going to change his ‘tough guy’ persona.

Luis Suárez

Another player who’s often considered a villain in soccer is Luis Suárez. He has been responsible for many high-profile incidents on the field and is most famous for his tendency to bite his opponents, including his attack on Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup. It was in 2010, however, that he was facing backlash from an entire nation during a crucial FIFA World Cup match against Ghana. He punched a ball off the goal line which denied them the potential of a winning goal, leaving the fans of the ‘Super Eagles’ to hate the former Liverpool striker. This was considered a blatant act of cheating, giving him the reputation of a player who’s willing to cheat to win. Violence and cheating allegations aside, Suárez was also shamed for his instances of racism following an argument with Manchester United’s Patrice Evra before kick-off in a match between Manchester United and Liverpool. Suárez was voted ‘The Greatest Sporting Villain of All Time’ by fans for his shameful acts on the field. Despite being one of the most talented and skilled strikers in the world, his actions, from biting incidents to racial abuse, have outshined his talent, turning him into one of the most hated soccer players of all time, which is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Sol Campbell

Next up on our list of the most hated players of all time is Sol Campbell. Unlike the previous players on this list, Campbell’s biggest crime is his terrible decision in the transfer market. While many fans consider him to be one of the best defenders in Premier League history, his controversial move to a rival club made him widely disliked. In 2001, Campbell made his high-profile switch from Tottenham to Arsenal, despite their fierce rivalry. Prior to the transfer, Campbell was adored by Tottenham fans and considered one of their key players, which is why his decision felt like such a betrayal. He’s been given the nickname ‘Judas’ by Spurs fans who believed after spending nine years with the club, he owed them more loyalty and shouldn’t have been so quick to turn his back on the club. The controversial move was made even worse by the fact that Campbell joined during one of Arsenal’s most successful periods, leaving Tottenham to fend for themselves. For Tottenham fans, Campbell’s success with Arsenal seemed like an even bigger insult. He not only betrayed them by joining their biggest rivals, but he also played a huge role in Arsenal’s golden era. Campbell’s transfer is still one of the most notorious moves in the history of soccer and he still receives criticism from Spurs fans whenever they see him.

El Hadji Diouf

For any fans who followed the Premier League during the 2000s, the next player on our list will be no surprise. Known best for this time at Blackburn Rovers, Diouf became hated for a variety of misdemeanors, both on and off the playing field. Diouf was known to go so far as to spit at rival fans, make racist comments, and make fun of players who were injured in the middle of a game. To put it plainly, Diouf is about as unprofessional as a soccer player can possibly be, especially in the present day. He originally joined Liverpool in 2002 as a promising £10 million signing but quickly became one of the most hated players of all time. At the start, he was praised for his potential as a key player, however, he soon earned a reputation for his poor attitude and disruptive behaviour. Diouf had multiple instances of spitting at opponents and even fans, which earned him multiple fines, bans and even criminal charges during his time at Liverpool and Bolton. He was hated by his fellow teammates, especially Steven Gerrard who often criticized his lack of professionalism and selfishness as a player. Of course, Diouf would just accuse Gerrard of being jealous and would never admit the truth to his claims. Off the field, Diouf was notorious for taunting injured players, including Jamie Mackie, which led Neil Warnock to call him 'the lowest of the low' and a 'sewer rat'. Despite his talent, Diouf’s poor behaviour overshadowed his achievements, and he left the Premier League with a tarnished legacy, earning himself a place on this list.

Diego Maradona

Finally, the last person on the list of most hated soccer players of all time may shock you. Diego Maradona has faced plenty of criticism and backlash throughout his career. When it comes to this legendary player, you either love him or you hate him. The fans who hate him often base it off his controversial views, drug use, and for ‘marring his own legacy’. Some of his controversial views included supporting leaders like Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez and expressing his hatred for the United States, calling President George W. Bush ‘human trash’. Maradona was also not the best role model as he struggled throughout his career with his cocaine addiction and was arrested in Argentina for possession. As for fans saying he ‘marred his own legacy’, they’re referring to his ‘Hand of God’ goal when he scored a goal with his hand against England in the 1986 World Cup. The goal is regarded as one of the most famous examples of cheating in soccer history. He never apologized for his offense and remains hated by the English national team. He’s quoted as being ‘a genius and a cheater, gregarious and despairing, a liar and an open book.’ Despite all of his wrongdoings, Diego Maradona is loved in some parts of the world, it’s all a matter of perspective!