Football’s biggest tantrums and strops including Mario Balotelli, Kepa, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale
Football is certainly an emotive game, tensions can run high and get the better of even the most dedicated professional.From Paul Gascoigne’s World Cup tears on a balmy evening in Italy to Macro Tardelli’s iconic screaming celebration, football can bring an individual right through the spectrum of sensations.However, there is also an uglier side to that as footballers can occasionally completely lose their head’s on the biggest stage.
11Kepa refused to come off the Wembley pitchThis weekend for instance saw no less than three examples of such behaviour as Mauricio Pochettino, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Gareth Bale all showed off their surly sides.The Tottenham Hotspur boss was forced to accept an FA charge after angrily confronting Mike Dean following Spurs’ defeat to Burnley in the early kick off.In the Carabao Cup Final no more than 24 hours later, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper then refused to be substituted much to the annoyance of boss Maurizio Sarri.And then Bale refused to celebrate with his teammates after scoring a penalty for Real Madrid after losing his place to a teenager.
11Bale is used to shrugging off unwanted attention, just not normally from his own teammatesWhile the pressure as a professional is almost indescribable, such acts of petulance certainly gain plenty of unwanted criticism.But these isolated incidents are by no means the wost fans have seen on a football pitch, far from it!Scroll down to see talkSPORT.com’s best ever tantrums and strops from the world of football!
SAIDO BERAHINO V JEREMY PEACE (2015)
11You get the gist of what Berahino as trying to sayWhen Tottenham Hotspur expressed an interest in signing West Bromwich Albion starlet Saido Berahino in 2015, it’s fair to say the striker had his head turned.Although the two clubs tried to negotiate a deal, chairman Jeremy Peace held firm in his valuation and the move never went through.Queue a hastily (and poorly) written Tweet by the former England Under-21 international declaring his intention to ‘never play Jeremy Peace’.Tony Pulis did bring the striker back into the fold before the end of the season, but the damage was done as was Berahino’s Baggies career.
CRISTIANO RONALDO V NANI (2010)
11The Portugal captain literally threw his armband away in frustrationInternational friendlies tend not to be the most exciting affairs, but Spain’s clash with Portugal in 2010 had an extra edge because of Real Madrid starlet Ronaldo’s presence.Hated by Barcelona fans, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol set about putting the former Manchester United man into the stands at every possible opportunity.However, when the winger broke free down the left and put Pique on his backside, his delightful dink over teammate Iker Casillas seemed destined for the back of the net.That was until Nani decided to literally steal it on the line, despite being offside. The ‘goal’ was ruled out and Ronaldo produced a reaction befitting a tired toddler who has just been told to go to bed.
DIDIER DROGBA v TOM HENNING OVREBO (2009)
11An incensed Drogba chased the Norwegian down the tunnel at Stamford BridgeThe ball left Andres Iniestas foot, floated just over Petr Cechs hand, and Stamford Bridge fell silent.It was meant to be Guus Hiddinks crowning moment during his short stay in west London, but instead became a match forgotten for the football and remembered for the outrage that flowed both during the action and after the final whistle blew.Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo was the subject of death threats in the weeks and months following the match, and the fears for his safety in the immediate aftermath of the game meant he had to be escorted out of the country by police.The Norwegian official was practically chased off the pitch by striker Didider Droga who, upon realising he could not continue to berate the referee, turned to the cameras to continue his protests.
NEMANJA MATIC v ASHLEY BARNES (2015)
11The normally ice-cold Serb lost his head completelyAfter committing a tackle described as ‘criminal’ by Jose Mourinho in 2015, Ashley Barnes lay on the Stamford Bridge turf in the hope referee Martin Atkinson would not show red.Atkinson did produce a red card, but not for the Burnley striker. Instead, it went to the man on the receiving end of said challenge.Nemanja Matic is not the type to lose his rag, but the red mist descended that day and the Serbian literally threw his aggressor to the floor before being hauled away by John Terry and the rest of his Chelsea teammates.Despite nearly having his leg snapped in half, Matic rather sheepishly jogged off the pitch after realising he had made a bit of a mug of himself.
MARIO BALOTELLI v ROBERTO MANCINI (2011)
11Why always him?Pre-season friendlies are the perfect time for youngsters to get a run out in the first team, for seasoned pros to show why they deserve to start and for managers to experiment with new tactics.That is, of course, unless you are Mario Balotelli where you can essentially do whatever you want.In a 2011 friendly with LA Galaxy, the Italy striker opted to backheel a simple chance at goal, instead of passing to teammate Edin Dzeko. Petulant sure, but what followed was comedy gold.The Italian boss completely lost his mind and substituted the striker instantly. Balotelli’s response? To make a petulant gesture to his boss indicating his surprise and annoyance he was being substituted.
CARLOS TEVEZ v ROBERTO MANCINI (2011)
11Tevez eventually came back to help city win the Premier LeagueCarlos Tevez could never be accused of not giving 100% on the pitch when he played, it was just difficult to get him on there sometimes.A mere two months after the Balotelli debacle, City boss Mancini must have been wondering what he had done to deserve such tempestuous strikers as Tevez refused to warm up against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.Although the Argentine claimed it was a misunderstanding, his Italian boss claimed he would never play for the club again.Needless to say he did and played a huge part in delivering the Premier League title to the Etihad. Just childish all round.
PAOLO DI CANIO v PAUL ALCOCK (1998)
11Moments later, Di Canio was to push Alcock. Cue the theatrics…A moment etched in Premier League history, Di Canio’s moment of madness is part Greek Tragedy, part slapstick humour.After being sent off for a clash with Arsenal enforcer Martin Keown, the fiery Italian began to remonstrate with referee Paul Alcock.Clearly feeling as though he was not getting his point across, the former AC Milan striker then shoved Alcock, who proceeded to hit the deck in instalments with his leg trailing limply behind him.As Di Canio made his way off the pitch, Nigel Winterburn saw fit to politely offer his views on the matter to the Wednesday forward. But as soon as Di Canio turned to face the left-back, he had bolted out of fear.
WILLIAM GALLAS v THE WORLD (2008)
11An advertising board bore the brunt of Gallas’ frustrationsA tough trip to Birmingham City for Arsenal was made even more difficult when Croatia striker Eduardo was brutally cut down in the first half by a scything challenge from Martin Taylor.With emotions running high, the Gunners were then held at St Andres courtesy of a stoppage time penalty from James McFadden, effectively extinguishing their faint hopes of winning the Premier League title.As the visiting players left the pitch, captain Gallas remained on the tear almost in tears.After kicking an advertising board, the France international had to be practically carried off the pitch by the erudite Arsene Wenger – who was as bemused as everyone in the stadium by the outburst.
ERIC CANTONA v CRYSTAL PALACE FAN (1995)
11Cantona took exception to a loud-mouthedEagles supporterRumour has it, Inter general manager Paolo Taveggia, and the Italian clubs prospective owner, Massimo Moratti, were at Selhurst Park on that infamous night in south London to scout the Frenchman.With Andy Cole arriving two weeks prior for a record 7million, speculation about the maverick’s future was building.Having already received a red card for booting marker Richard Shaw, Cantona was confronted by 20-year-old double-glazing fitter Matthew Simmons.What he said remains a mystery to this day, but the striker’s short fuse was lit and he launched into Simmons with a kung-fu kick before laying into the youngster with a barrage of punches.
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