You probably noticed that players can be a bit… well, superstitious. From weird pre-match rituals to lucky charms, footballers around the world have some pretty strange habits that they believe give them an edge on the pitch. I did some digging and found some of the most bizarre and interesting superstitions that players have had over the years. Let’s dive into the weird and wonderful world of footballers’ superstitions!
1. The Kiss of Luck: Laurent Blanc and Fabien Barthez
Let’s start with a classic. During the 1998 World Cup, French defender Laurent Blanc had a unique way of bringing good luck to his team. Before each match, he would kiss the bald head of goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. Sounds weird, right? But hey, it seemed to work! France went on to win the World Cup that year.
Blanc believed that this ritual brought positive energy and unity to the team. The rest of the squad even started to believe in the power of the kiss, and it became a symbolic gesture throughout the tournament. Imagine kissing your teammate’s head before every game!
2. Johan Cruyff’s Chewing Gum Ritual
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff was known not just for his incredible skills but also for his peculiar pre-match rituals. Before every game, while playing for Ajax, he would slap his goalkeeper Gert Bals in the stomach. Then, right before kickoff, he’d spit his chewing gum into the opposition’s half.
Cruyff believed that if he didn’t perform this exact routine, his team would lose. One time, he forgot to spit out his gum, and Ajax lost 4-1 to AC Milan. From then on, he never forgot the gum ritual again. Talk about taking superstitions seriously!
3. Pele’s Missing Shirt
One of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele, once suffered from a mysterious loss of form. He couldn’t figure out why his performance had dipped. Then he remembered that he had given away his lucky shirt to a fan after a game.
Determined to get it back, he sent a friend on a mission to retrieve it. After a long search, his friend returned with the shirt. Miraculously, Pele’s form returned to normal! Here’s the kicker: years later, his friend admitted that he couldn’t find the shirt and just gave Pele a different one. Turns out, it was all in Pele’s head!
4. David Beckham’s Obsession with the Number 7 and Symmetry
David Beckham is famous for his style and precision on the field, but did you know he has OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) tendencies? He’s obsessed with symmetry and even numbers. Everything around him has to be in pairs or organized perfectly.
In hotel rooms, he would arrange books, clothes, and even cans of soda to make sure they were symmetrical. If there were three cans, he’d hide one to make it an even number. His famous jersey number 7 wasn’t just for show—it was part of his need for certain numbers.
5. Gary Lineker’s No Shooting in Warm-Up
English striker Gary Lineker had a rather unusual pre-match superstition. He refused to shoot at goal during warm-ups. Why? He believed that scoring in the warm-up would use up his luck, and he’d rather save his goals for when it really mattered.
If he accidentally scored during warm-up, he’d get worried that he wouldn’t score in the actual game. It might sound silly, but Lineker was one of England’s most prolific scorers, so maybe there was something to it!
6. Sergio Goycochea’s Unusual Penalty Ritual
Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea had perhaps one of the strangest (and grossest) superstitions. Before penalty shootouts, he would urinate on the pitch! Yes, you read that right.
He started this during the 1990 World Cup quarter-final against Yugoslavia. With no time to go back to the locker room and nature calling, he relieved himself on the field. Argentina won the shootout, and he repeated the ritual in the semi-final against Italy, which they also won. From then on, it became his lucky charm.
7. Kolo Toure’s Late Entrance
Defender Kolo Toure had a strict routine: he had to be the last player to enter the pitch. In one Champions League match while playing for Arsenal, his teammate had to receive treatment at halftime, delaying his return. Toure waited for him so he wouldn’t break his superstition, resulting in Arsenal starting the second half with only nine men on the field! He even received a yellow card for entering the pitch without permission.
8. Malvin Kamara’s “Willy Wonka” Fix
Former Huddersfield Town player Malvin Kamara had a unique pre-game ritual. He watched the movie “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” before every match. He said it helped him relax and reminded him of happy childhood memories, putting him in a positive mindset before hitting the pitch.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Haircut Ritual
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his incredible skills and impeccable appearance. One of his superstitions involves getting a fresh haircut before every match. He believes that looking good boosts his confidence, which translates into better performances on the field.
He also steps onto the pitch with his right foot first and always insists on being the last one off the team bus. Small rituals, but for a player of his caliber, every little bit counts!
10. John Terry’s Long List of Superstitions
Former Chelsea captain John Terry had a massive list of superstitions. Here are just a few:
•He sat in the same spot on the team bus.
•He listened to the same Usher CD before matches.
•He used the same urinal at the stadium.
•He tied his boots in a specific way.
•He wore three pairs of socks during games.
Terry once admitted that his superstitions became so complicated that they were hard to keep track of. But as long as Chelsea kept winning, he wasn’t going to change a thing!
11. Mesut Özil’s Shoelace Kiss
German midfielder Mesut Özil has a subtle but meaningful ritual. Before kick-off, he kisses a tattoo on his left wrist, which is of his young daughter’s name. Then, he kisses his shoelaces. He believes this brings him luck and keeps his family close to his heart during matches.
12. Thibaut Courtois and His Crossbar Touch
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has a ritual where he touches the crossbar at the start of each half. He says it’s a way to connect with his goal and focus his mind on protecting it. It’s a small gesture, but for a goalkeeper, the goal is everything.
13. The Colour Red for Sir Alex Ferguson
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believed in the power of the color red. He thought that teams wearing red had a psychological advantage. Under his management, Manchester United always wore their red home kit whenever possible, even opting to change shorts to comply with away kit requirements while keeping the red jerseys.
14. Lucky Undies of Daniel Sturridge
Striker Daniel Sturridge admitted to having a pair of lucky underwear that he wore during matches. He believed that they brought him good luck on the pitch. However, he didn’t specify how often he washed them!
15. Mario Gómez’s Goal Drought Solution
German striker Mario Gómez once went through a long goal drought. To break the curse, he decided to play without his lucky necklace that he’d worn for years. Surprisingly, he started scoring again! Sometimes, breaking a superstition can be as powerful as keeping one.
16. The “No Haircut” Rule of the Cameroon National Team
During the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, the Cameroon national team decided that no player should cut their hair until they were eliminated from the tournament. The team ended up winning the competition! The players believed that their unity and shared sacrifice contributed to their success.
17. Phil Jones’ Socks and Shin Pads
Manchester United defender Phil Jones has a specific order when getting dressed for a match. He puts his socks and shin pads on before his shorts. It’s not the usual way players get ready, but Jones believes this routine helps him prepare mentally.
18. Rafa Benítez’s Coin Ritual
Manager Rafa Benítez is known for his tactical prowess, but he also has a superstition involving coins. Before matches, he places coins at the corners of his technical area. He believes this brings good fortune and influences the game in his favor.
19. Goalkeepers and Their Towels
Many goalkeepers have superstitions involving towels. They hang a towel in the back of the net or place it beside the goalpost.
•Example: Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson always had a towel in his net, believing it brought him luck and helped him focus.
20. Gareth Bale’s Heart Celebration
Welsh star Gareth Bale celebrates his goals by making a heart shape with his hands. This isn’t just a random gesture; it’s a ritual that connects him to his loved ones. He started doing it to dedicate his goals to his girlfriend, now wife, and it became his trademark celebration.
Why Do Footballers Have Superstitions?
You might be wondering why professional athletes rely on these quirky rituals. Here are some reasons:
Routine and Control: Superstitions can give players a sense of control in an unpredictable sport.
Confidence Boost: Believing that a ritual brings good luck can boost a player’s confidence.
Focus and Preparation: Rituals help players get into the right mindset before a game.
Breaking Slumps: When in a goal drought or bad form, players might try new superstitions to change their luck.
Conclusion
Footballers are just like us—they have habits, routines, and sometimes superstitions that help them navigate the pressures of their job. Whether it’s kissing a bald head, watching a specific movie, or wearing lucky socks, these rituals add an interesting layer to the beautiful game.
Next time you watch a match, keep an eye out for any peculiar behaviours. You never know what strange superstition might be helping your favourite player score that winning goal!
What About You?
Do you have any superstitions or rituals before playing a sport or taking a test? Share them in the comments below! It’s fun to see how we all have little things that we believe bring us luck.
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