Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and El Hadji Diouf
Children usually grow up dreaming of becoming footballers, but they know little about the toxicity that comes with playing the sport professionally.
One bad day at the office and you're public enemy number one amongst your club's fanbase on X or making headlines for all the wrong reasons. It's not just players who endure lows; managers can quickly lose supporters, and their names trend with hashtags calling for their sacking.
Some fans are so emotionally invested in their team that rivalry often leads to hatred towards anyone associated with an opposing club. Take, for example, Sir Alex Ferguson, whose dominant reign at Manchester United infuriated rival fans.
Back in May 2021, FourFourTwo came up with a 30-man list of the most detested individuals working in men's football. It must be stressed that times have changed, and as such, views on those included have sometimes shifted.
30–26
Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson in a Press Conference
Ferguson made his way onto the list despite retiring eight years prior, and that's because of his stranglehold on the Premier League. Rival fans not only despised the Scot for preventing their teams from succeeding, but also for his antics, including 'Fergie Time', in which he admittedly put pressure on referees to give United more stoppage time.
An updated list compiled today may still include Mike Dean, following his recent claim that he played 'mind games' while officiating in the Premier League. During his time as an official, he frustrated fans with his refereeing style and often earned eye rolls from many players.
Although the late Silvio Berlusconi saved AC Milan from bankruptcy in 1986, the Italian is accused of using the club as a political tool. Involved in widespread corruption trials, he was disliked by fans for his scandalous behind-the-scenes behavior.
Football hardmen are often viewed with disdain by opposition fans and Dennis Wise got a rise out of the visiting supporters during his Chelsea career. His fiery and confrontational personality resulted in drama on and off the pitch but he is an English football legend.
25–21
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich
Much like Ferguson at United, Roman Abramovich's tenure as Chelsea owner didn't sit well with rivals. Not least because of his financial muscle, spending heavily to take the Blues to the top of English football.
Abramovich controversially sold the club to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's BlueCo in 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He remains villainised in England after it emerged that secret payments were made to players and agents during his ownership.
You wouldn't want to tell Kevin Muscat you hated him as he built a notorious repuation for injurying his opponents. Back in 1999, a tackle on Charlton Athletic's Matty Holmes caused severe leg damage, requiring four operations.
Suspensions were a recurring theme for Muscat, whose playing style was more 'brutal game' than 'beautiful game'. While the Australian drew fans' ire on the pitch, Richard Scudamore faced heavy criticism for his actions in the boardroom.
While serving as the Premier League's chairman, Scudamore faced backlash after leaked emails unearthed derogatory remarks about women. His role in the growth of the top flight's commercial wealth also didn't help him change his public image.
Graeme Souness ahead of Scotland v England
Graeme Souness is never afraid to speak his mind, and many of his remarks as a Sky Sports pundit have caused outrage. His agenda against Paul Pogba became a meme, but during his playing days he also riled up the opposition with an aggressive style of play.
Another one of football's dirtiest players, Andoni Goikoetxea is a name that Spanish football fans outside of Bilbao have learned to hate. That's because he played so violently, nicknamed 'The Butcher of Bilbao,' he once shredded Diego Maradona's ligaments.
Rangers supporters hold their scarves aloft.
Rangers supporters hold their scarves aloft.
20–16
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You could not take your eyes off Paulo Di Canio whenever the fiery Italian took to the pitch because of his unpredictability. One minute he'd be volleying in from 20 yards and the next he'd be sent off for pushing the referee over.
The entertainment Di Canio brought to the pitch as a player and a manager was followed by controversy. That included when he openly admitted to holding fascist views and called Italian dictator Benito Mussolini 'deeply misunderstood'.
Arsenal fans felt betrayed when Ashley Cole left for Chelsea, but his overall public perception has changed. Some accused him of chasing money rather than staying loyal to his boyhood club, and his private life only led to more derision.
Arguably the best left-back in England's history, Cole has since told his side of the story regarding his Highbury exit. This hatred wasn't because of what he did on the pitch but rather what he got up to off of it.
Pepe and Diego Costa
There's a term for wind-up merchants that get a rise out of their opponents in the Premier League, and Diego Costa fits that description to a tee. Whenever the former Spain striker played, there was often a palava and he had a tendency to get into physical scraps throughout his career.
Football owners are easy to dislike and Newcastle United fans couldn't stand the sight of Mike Ashley during his 14 years at St James' Park. A lack of ambition, investment and interest in helping the club grow almost made rival Premier League supporters sympathise with the Toon Army.
Luis Suarez was unplayable on his day, but he often let his aggression run wild in the most bizzare of circumstances. Bitting not one but two opponents is certainly one of the many reasons the former Liverpool striker became one of the most vilified players in Premier League history.
(15–11)
joey barton
Ken Bates once labeled Chelsea fans 'parasites' and Leeds United supporters 'morons' during his time on the board at both clubs. Such treatment of those fanbases took hold alongside abrasive management and dodgy financial dealings, including using offshore payments to take over the Elland Road outfit.
There is a good chance Joey Barton would land even higher up this list nowadays because he's created more chaos after hanging up his boots. Known for his bad temper, he made headlines for all the wrong reasons including attacking former Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo which led to a suspended prison sentence.
Most football owners steer clear of further upsetting an unhappy fanbase, but Karl Oyston openly mocked Blackpool's supporters during a tumultuous ownership. When fans protested due to his and his father Owen's financial mismanagement of the club, he infamously posed with a fan-funded banner that read 'Oyston's Cash Cow' and aimed several slurs at them.
Bribery is a big no no in football and Bernard Tapie found that out after bribing Valenciennes players to underperform against Marseille to ensure a domestic league title was achieved. While the French businessman did earn admiration for his charisma, his unsportsmanlike conduct ultimately drew disdain from a large section of the public, press and even the political world.
10–6
Chelsea John Terry
Allegations of racist abuse and infidelity are why John Terry finds his way onto this list and in the top 10 because as a footballer, everyone recognised him as one of England's greatest defenders. But he also did antagonise rival fans, and they were bemused to see him wear a full Chelsea kit to celebrate a 2012 Champions League triumph despite not playing in the final.
Pete Wikelman is the man who moved Wimbledon FC from South London to Milton Keynes, creating MK Dons much to the outrage of English football. Many put this down to commercial gain rather than a sporting decision and he only further riled up supporters by initially claiming Wimbledon FC's history and honours before fan-owned phoenix club, AFC Wimbledon, formed.
Described as 'lower than a sewer rat' by Neil Warnock, it's easy to see why El Hadji Diouf is deemed one of the most hated men in football. His time in Britain was full of drama, including spitting at a fan and an opponent before entering a long-standing feud with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard.
Juventus are one of Italy's most historic clubs, but back in 2006, Luciano Moggi brought shame to the Old Lady after playing a central role in the Calciopoli scandal. He compromised the sporting integrity of Serie A, intimidating and bullying his way to get officials on his team's side.
Moggi's actions resulted in Juve being stripped of two titles and relegated to Serie B. A stain on Italian football, he has been banned for life from football activities in his native country.
REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
When you're one of the best players in the world, you often stir up hatred and Cristiano Ronaldo is a polarising individual. A five-time Ballon d'Or winner, his haters tend to dislike his on-the-field conduct they perceieve as arrogance, but he also has been involved in many off-field controversies that fans are quick to point out.
Most Hated Players in Football History
Most Hated Players in Football History
5–1
richard keys
The audio of Richard Keys' sexism during one of English footbal's major scandals is nauseating and truly ruined his reputation as a broadcaster. Formerly host of Sky Sports, he was forced to resign and jetted off to Dubai to continue his work and he's constantly attempted to remain relevant with damning statements.
Keys' personal life has also brought public disapproval as he ended a 36-year marriage and started dating a significantly younger woman. He has spent recent years butting heads with other hosts, including Laura Woods and Gabby Logan.
There must be something in the water at FIFA and UEFA because their chiefs are always causing mischief. To go from one of the most celebrated footballing talents in history to being banned from sports administration is some achievement.
Michel Platini did just that, partaking in high-level corruption scandals during his UEFA presidency. Most were politically influenced and in 2015 he was banned from all football activies over a suspcious payment receieved from former FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
It took just one incident for Harald Schumacher to become one of the most reviled figures in sports. A brutal assault on French defender Patrick Battiston during the 1982 World Cup semi-final between West Germany and France started his fall from grace.
Alienated from within his home country after his assault left Battiston in a coma, without teeth and with damaged vertebrae and cracked ribs. But it was his lack of remorse that caused uproar, unbothered as the game resumed before saying after the game "If that's all that's wrong, tell him I'll pay for the crowns."
Jose Mourinho is box office and, for many, the most entertaining character in football and a true master of the dark arts. Controversies have followed him throughout his managerial career, including his treatment of former Chelsea physio Eva Caneiro and poking ex-Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova in the eye.
The charismatic Portuguese tactician knew how to get a rise out of the opposition and their fans. He has a wide collection of gifs that even those who don't watch football use to irritate their friends while texting.
Sepp Blatter (Ex-FIFA President)
Sepp Blatter (Ex-FIFA President)
Sepp Blatter took top spot as the most hated person in football, and he walked so that Infantino could run FIFA into even more corruption. He served as FIFA President from 1998 to 2015, and in that time generated massive revenue but did so through institutional corruption backroom dealmaking and greed.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino
FIFA president Gianni Infantino
Bribery, wire fraud and money laundering were all prevalent during Blatter's run as the most influential individual in men's football. Awarding Qatar the 2022 World Cup drew huge backlash, as did his comments about women's football and racism before his payment to Platini led to him also being banned from football activities permanently.