Football is a game that demands intelligence, skill, and physical fitness. A lot of quality is required to cover the whole stadium and outplay a worthy opponent. But even with so much tactical play and attention to detail, football players often engage in some rather peculiar behavior.
In this blog, we will explore 11 such weird acts exhibited by football players and attempt to explain why they do them.
1. Acting like Babies
Football players often exhibit behaviors like acting like babies when fouled or when they get a knock due to several reasons:
- Seeking Referee Attention: Sometimes, players may exaggerate their reaction to fouls or minor injuries to draw the referee’s attention. By behaving dramatically, they hope to convince the referee to penalize the opposing player or team.
- Time Wasting: In close matches, players might exaggerate their injuries or act like babies to waste time, especially if their team is winning or trying to preserve a lead. This tactic disrupts the flow of the game and frustrates the opposition.
- Psychological Tactics: Players might also employ such behaviors as part of psychological tactics to unsettle their opponents. By appearing vulnerable or in pain, they aim to intimidate the opposition or break their concentration.
- Frustration Expression: Getting fouled or knocked down can be frustrating, especially in intense matches. Acting like babies might be a way for players to express their frustration or dissatisfaction with the opposing team’s physical play.
- Gamesmanship: Football is not just a physical game but also a mental one. Players may use various tactics, including theatrical reactions, to gain an advantage or manipulate the game’s dynamics in their favor.
- Cultural Norms: In some footballing cultures, such behaviors are more accepted or even encouraged as a means of gaining an advantage. Players may emulate behaviors they’ve seen from others or from their own experiences growing up in the sport.
2. Spit Water
Football players often spit water instead of drinking it for a few reasons:
- Hydration Management: While it may seem counterintuitive, spitting water is sometimes a way for players to manage their hydration levels more effectively. In high-intensity sports like football, players need to stay hydrated, but drinking too much water can lead to discomfort or a feeling of being too full. By swishing water around in their mouth and then spitting it out, players can stay hydrated without ingesting excess liquid.
- Quick Refreshment: During breaks in play, such as when the ball goes out of bounds or during stoppages for fouls, players may use water to quickly refresh their mouths and throats. Spitting out the water allows them to clear any buildup of saliva or mucus, which can be distracting or uncomfortable during play.
- Psychological Preparation: Spitting water can also be a form of psychological preparation for some players. Just as some athletes have pre-game rituals or routines to get into the right mindset for competition, spitting water may serve as a mental cue for focus and readiness.
- Tradition or Habit: In some cases, spitting water instead of drinking it may simply be a habit or tradition among football players. They may have seen other players do it or picked it up from their coaches or teammates without a specific reason.
- Cooling Effect: Swishing water around in the mouth can provide a cooling sensation, which may be particularly refreshing during hot weather or intense physical exertion. Spitting out the water after swishing it can also help regulate body temperature slightly.
3. Argue with Referee
Football players often argue with referees even when they know the referee won’t change their decision for several reasons:
- Emotional Response: In the heat of the moment, players may react emotionally to decisions they perceive as unfair or incorrect. This can lead them to argue with the referee impulsively, even if they know it’s unlikely to change the decision.
- Frustration and Venting: Arguing with the referee can be a way for players to vent their frustration about a particular call or the overall flow of the game. It provides an outlet for releasing pent-up emotions and expressing dissatisfaction with the situation.
- Attempting to Influence Future Decisions: While players may not expect the referee to reverse their decision immediately, arguing with the referee can sometimes plant seeds of doubt or influence future decisions. Players may hope that by expressing their disagreement vocally, the referee will be more inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt in future close calls.
- Sending a Message: Arguing with the referee can also be a way for players to send a message to their teammates, the opposing team, and even the fans. It shows a willingness to fight for what they believe is right and can serve as a rallying cry to increase team morale or intimidate the opposition.
- Strategic Delay Tactics: In some cases, arguing with the referee can also serve as a form of time-wasting or strategic delay tactics, especially if a team is trying to protect a lead or disrupt the rhythm of the opposing team.
- Maintaining Accountability: By challenging the referee’s decisions, players also hold them accountable for their officiating. Even if they don’t expect the decision to change, they want to ensure that referees are aware of any perceived mistakes or inconsistencies.
4. Coming out to Games with Kids
Football players often come out to games with kids for several reasons:
- Promoting Family Values: Bringing children to games emphasizes family values and highlights the importance of spending time with loved ones. It can also portray players as role models for young fans, showing them the significance of relationships and bonding.
- Community Engagement: Players often engage with their communities by inviting children to accompany them to games. This fosters a sense of belonging and connection between players and their fans, particularly among younger supporters who may look up to them as heroes.
- Supporting Charity Initiatives: Many players participate in charity initiatives that involve children, such as visiting hospitals or organizing youth sports programs. Bringing children to games can help raise awareness for these causes and inspire others to get involved.
- Building Positive Public Image: Public appearances with children can contribute to building a positive public image for players and their teams. It shows that they are approachable, caring, and invested in the well-being of young fans, which can enhance their reputation both on and off the field.
- Creating Memorable Experiences: For the children themselves, accompanying their favorite players to games can create unforgettable memories that they will cherish for years to come. It allows them to feel special and valued, fostering a deeper connection to the sport and its players.
- Encouraging Youth Participation: By including children in game-day activities, players encourage youth participation in sports and promote a healthy, active lifestyle. This can have long-term benefits for both individuals and communities by instilling a love for sports and physical activity from a young age.
5. Cry when they get Injured
Football players may cry when they get injured and are taken off the field for several reasons:
- Physical Pain: Injuries in football can be painful, sometimes excruciatingly so. The immediate reaction to severe pain can sometimes lead to tears, as it is a natural response to physical distress.
- Emotional Distress: Being injured and forced to leave a game can be emotionally distressing for players, particularly if they were actively contributing to their team’s performance or if the injury threatens their ability to play in future matches. The frustration, disappointment, and fear of the unknown can all contribute to emotional distress, which may manifest as tears.
- Impact on Career and Goals: For professional players, injuries can have significant implications for their careers and aspirations. Being sidelined due to an injury can disrupt their momentum, delay their progress, and jeopardize their future opportunities. The realization of these consequences can be overwhelming and may lead to tears as players come to terms with the situation.
- Pressure and Expectations: There is often immense pressure on football players to perform at their best, both for themselves and for their team. When an injury occurs, players may feel like they have let themselves, their teammates, and their fans down. This added pressure and sense of disappointment can contribute to an emotional response.
- Release of Stress and Tension: In addition to physical and emotional factors, crying can also serve as a release valve for accumulated stress and tension. The adrenaline and intensity of competitive sports can heighten emotions, and an injury may provide the trigger for these emotions to overflow.
- Fear of the Unknown: Depending on the severity of the injury, players may also fear the uncertainty of the recovery process and the potential long-term effects on their health and career. This fear of the unknown can intensify emotions and lead to tears as players grapple with their uncertain future.
6. Celebrating Goals like they’re Kids
Football players often celebrate goals in various ways, and some celebrations may involve behaviors that appear childlike, such as sucking their thumbs or rocking their arms. There are several reasons why players might choose to celebrate goals in this manner:
- Expression of Joy and Excitement: Scoring a goal in football is a moment of intense joy and excitement for players. The celebration is a way for them to express these emotions in a spontaneous and uninhibited manner. Just like a young child might express happiness through simple gestures, players may revert to childlike behaviors to convey the sheer thrill of scoring.
- Connecting with Childhood: Many footballers have been playing the sport since they were children, and scoring a goal can evoke memories of their early days on the field. Celebrating like a child may be a way for players to reconnect with the pure enjoyment and innocence of playing football in their youth.
- Creating Memorable Moments: Football celebrations are often planned in advance or improvised on the spot to create memorable moments for fans and teammates. Using childlike gestures can make celebrations more playful and endearing, leaving a lasting impression on spectators and adding to the excitement of the game.
- Engaging with Fans: Football is not just about the players on the field; it’s also about the fans in the stands and watching from home. Celebrating goals in a fun and lighthearted manner can help players connect with fans on a more personal level, eliciting smiles and laughter from supporters of all ages.
- Taunting Opponents: In some cases, celebrations that mimic childlike behavior may be used as a form of taunting or mocking the opposing team. By portraying themselves as carefree and playful, players may aim to undermine the seriousness or intensity of their opponents, adding a psychological edge to their celebrations.
- Expressing Individuality: Football celebrations are a way for players to showcase their personalities and individual styles. Using childlike gestures may be a reflection of a player’s playful or whimsical nature, allowing them to express themselves authentically in the moment of triumph.
7. Calling the Profession of Football Tough
Football players often refer to the game as tough despite their high salaries for several reasons:
- Physical Demands: Football is indeed a physically demanding sport. Players endure rigorous training schedules, intense matches, and frequent travel, all of which can take a toll on their bodies. The risk of injury is also high, and players often push themselves to the limits to perform at their best, despite the physical challenges they face.
- Mental Pressure: Alongside the physical demands, football also entails significant mental pressure. Players are constantly under scrutiny from fans, coaches, and the media, with expectations to perform consistently at the highest level. The competitive nature of the sport means that every match is crucial, adding to the mental strain on players.
- Constant Criticism: Despite their high salaries, football players are subject to constant criticism and scrutiny, both on and off the field. Criticism can come from fans, pundits, and even their own teammates and coaches. This pressure to perform and meet expectations can contribute to the perception of the game as tough, regardless of financial compensation.
- Short Career Span: While footballers may earn high salaries during their careers, it’s important to note that their playing careers are relatively short compared to many other professions. The average footballer’s career typically lasts around 10-15 years, and injuries or other factors can shorten it even further. As such, players often feel the need to maximize their earnings during their playing years to secure their financial future beyond retirement.
- Risk of Failure: Despite their talent and hard work, success in football is not guaranteed. Players face the constant risk of failure, whether it’s losing matches, suffering injuries, or facing setbacks in their careers. This uncertainty can contribute to the perception of the game as tough, as players must constantly prove themselves and adapt to ever-changing circumstances.
- Passion for the Game: Despite the challenges they face, many football players are deeply passionate about the sport. They are driven by a love for the game, a desire to compete at the highest level, and a commitment to achieving their goals. This passion fuels their dedication and perseverance, even in the face of adversity, and contributes to the perception of football as a tough but rewarding profession.
8. Superstitions and Rituals
Many football players have superstitions or pre-match rituals that they believe bring them luck or help them perform better.
These rituals can range from wearing lucky socks to performing specific routines before games.
For example, a player might always put on their left sock before their right, or they might listen to the same song before every match.
While these behaviors might seem irrational to outsiders, they provide a sense of comfort and routine for players, helping them feel more confident and mentally prepared for competition.
9. Hairstyle Trends
Football players are known for their often eccentric and trendy hairstyles.
From colorful dye jobs to intricate designs shaved into their hair, players use their hairstyles as a form of self-expression and personal branding.
These hairstyles can sometimes become iconic and even influence popular culture beyond the world of football.
While some hairstyles might be seen as unconventional or attention-grabbing, they contribute to the unique personalities and images of individual players.
10. More on Goal Celebrations 😀
Goal celebrations in football can be elaborate, creative, and sometimes downright bizarre. Players often choreograph celebrations with teammates or come up with spontaneous gestures to mark their scoring achievements.
These celebrations can range from somersaults and backflips to dances and theatrical reenactments.
While goal celebrations serve as moments of joy and camaraderie, they also entertain fans and add to the spectacle of the game, making football more exciting and engaging for viewers.
11. Fashion Choices
Footballers are known for their bold fashion choices both on and off the field.
From flashy designer suits to avant-garde streetwear, players often make fashion statements that reflect their individual tastes and personalities.
They frequently collaborate with high-end fashion brands and designers, attending fashion shows and appearing in advertising campaigns.
While some fashion choices might be considered unconventional or daring, they contribute to the glamorous and stylish image associated with professional footballers, both as athletes and fashion icons.
Also Read:
11 Lesser Known Weird Football Rules
