Tag: Ranked

Best 4 Diets For Good Health And Weight Management In 2025: Ranked
The world of nutrition has evolved to deepen our understanding of the connection between food and health. In fact, there are various kinds of diets one can follow specific to their region, for weight loss, better skin and hair health, improving certain health conditions, and even longevity. With so many diets to try, the Mediterranean diet has been rated the best for 2025, according to annual rankings from US News and World Report. The panellists of leading medical and nutrition experts evaluated and rated 38 diets for nutritional completeness, health risks and benefits, long-term sustainability and evidence-based effectiveness.

Here Are The Top 4 Healthy Diets For 2025:

1. Mediterranean Diet: Say Goodbye To Processed Foods

The Mediterranean Diet focuses on plant-based foods, healthy fats, lean proteins, and limited processed items. Dr. Namita Nadar, Chief Dietician, Clinical Nutrition, Fortis Hospital, Noida, shares key elements of this diet:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Olive oil as the primary fat source
- Fish and seafood consumed regularly
- Dairy and poultry in moderation
- Red wine in small amounts
- Limited consumption of red meat and sweets
This diet focuses on nutrient-dense foods and encourages mindful eating practices, which contribute to its long-term sustainability, adds Dr Nadar.

2. DASH Diet For Healthy Blood Pressure

The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is designed to manage high blood pressure (hypertension), which eventually can reduce the risk of diabetes and kidney disease by reducing sodium intake and focusing on more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy. Dr Mickey Mehta- Global Holistic Health Guru and Spiritual Life Coach, shares the following tips to substitute salt for blood pressure management.

Tips To Substitute Salt:
- Lemon/Lime Juice: Brightens dishes without needing salt.
- Herbs and Spices: Curry leaves, coriander, basil, fresh oregano and mint leaves, cumin, ginger, garlic and turmeric are excellent flavour enhancers.
- Aromatics: Onions, tomatoes and green chillies provide a natural savoury depth.
- Kokum, Aamchur or Tamarind: Adds tanginess to dal, curries and soups.
Also Read:Do Bananas Spike Blood Sugar? The Answer Will Surprise You…

3. Flexitarian Diet: Flexible Vegetarianism

‘Flexitarian’ combines flexible and vegetarian. It broadly refers to people who largely prefer a vegetarian diet while still enjoying meat in moderation, especially for its taste. According to Nutritionist Nmami Aggarwal, many Indians follow a Flexitarian diet as even non-vegetarians follow a vegetarian diet on select days of the week or just eat eggs and no other meat.

The Flexitarian diet can help improve gut health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote weight loss. However, the nutritionist notes that one may not get enough protein on this diet and recommends increasing your intake of vegetarian sources of protein such as soybeans, quinoa, chickpeas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and tofu.

Also Read:5 Easy Daily Diet Routines To Control Diabetes Naturally, Expert Reveals

4. MIND Diet For Healthy Brain Functioning

The MIND diet was developed with the help of Harvard researchers to incorporate elements of Mediterranean and DASH diet for better brain health by prioritizing leafy greens, nuts, berries and fish. Dr Mickey Mehta has shared some simple Indian dishes to help you incorporate the MIND diet without splurging on expensive imported berries:
- Leafy Greens Recipes – palak dal, methi thepla, sarson da saag, amaranth leaves bhaji, bathua saag
- Nuts and Seeds Recipes – Dry fruit coconut milk, flaxseed laddoos with jaggery and nuts, nuts and seeds laddoo
- Berries Substitute Recipes – Amla chutney, papaya salad with lemon and chaat masala
- Whole Grains Recipes – jowar khichdi, ragi dosa, millet rice veg pulao, barley soup (jau shorba)
While it is important to make healthy diet and lifestyle changes, do it gradually with practical changes for better long-term results. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information.
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January 8, 2025

10 Biggest Football Stadiums in England (Ranked)

Key Takeaways

Stadiums are a crucial part of the make-up of any professional footballing side.
Particularly in the 21st century, many teams have moved to grounds with a higher capacity to facilitate more fans at the games.
Wembley Stadium, with a 90,000-seat capacity, is the largest stadium in England by a considerable margin.

Stadiums are a quintessential part of footballing culture, not only in England but in the wider world as well. They give fans a place to congregate every other week, roughly, and generate an atmosphere that not only pushes the team they support through each game, but also serves to intimidate an opponent. So much can be said about the effects a loud, emphatic crowd of fans can have.

The game has seen many teams move stadiums in the past, though this is something that has become especially prevalent in the 21st century, with some teams having enough money to build grounds that accommodate more fans to make more profit in the long run. Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and West Ham United are just some of the teams that have moved somewhere else in recent years.

With home grounds being a part of any club’s fabric, it is worth asking the question; which 10 stadiums in England are the biggest?

15 biggest stadiums in football featuring Ohio Stadium, Wembley Stadium and Camp Nou

25 Biggest Football Stadiums in the World (Ranked)

Four of the stadiums have a capacity of over 100,000, with Wembley Stadium and the Camp Nou featured in this list.

10 Biggest Football Stadiums in England
Rank	Name	Capacity	Team
1.	Wembley Stadium	90,000	England National Team
2.	Old Trafford	74,310	Manchester United
3.	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium	62,850	Tottenham Hotspur
4.	London Stadium	62,500	West Ham United
5.	Anfield	61,276	Liverpool
6.	Emirates Stadium	60,704	Arsenal
7.	Etihad Stadium	53,400	Manchester City
8.	St James’ Park	52,305	Newcastle United
9.	Stadium of Light	48,707	Sunderland
10.	Villa Park	42,918	Aston Villa

10

Villa Park

42,918 seats

With a capacity of just under 43,000 seats, Aston Villa have spent all but 23 years of their 150-year existence at Villa Park. The club moved to the stadium in 1897 and have played there ever since. In its history, the ground has hosted games for the World Cup, the Euros and European club competitions. Villa Park has had 55 FA Cup semi-finals contested there, more than any other stadium in England.

There have been discussions in recent years about expanding the capacity of Villa Park to something closer to 50,000 seats, though no significant work has been made on these ideas. At the time of writing, Villa Park is slated to be used as one of the host stadiums for Euro 2028, when the tournament is hosted by Great Britain and Ireland.

9

Stadium of Light

48,707 seats

Newcastle fans at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland

Sunderland Association Football Club have played at eight different home grounds throughout their 145-year history. Much of their early history was spent hopping around a variety of stadiums, including Blue House Field, Groves Field, Horatio Street and Abbs Field, with the latter of those four being the first ground at which Sunderland charged admission fees for fans.

1886 saw a move to Newcastle Road, where the Black Cats would stay for just over a decade until they set up Roker Park, which opened in 1898. Sunderland would call Roker Park home for almost a century and saw over 70,000 fans gather for a 1933 FA Cup clash with Derby County, which remains Sunderland’s record attendance.

In 1997, not long after the Taylor Report, Sunderland moved to the Stadium of Light, where they remain today. An expansion in 2000 saw the ground reach its current capacity and the stadium has hosted three matches for the England national team in the past.

8

St James’ Park

52,305 seats

From one Tyne and Wear side to another, Newcastle United have had a far less nomadic history than their bitter rivals Sunderland. St James’ Park has been used for football since the 1880s, with Newcastle having played there since 1892, the same year they were founded as the club people know today, having spent the time between 1881 and then as either Stanley FC or East End FC.

The Magpies, who have never dropped below the second tier of English football, now play in front of just over 52,000 fans on a consistent basis. The stands of the ground are famously asymmetric, resulting from a combination of Newcastle’s desire to expand and conflict with the local council and residents.

In 1995, there was a proposal for the club to move from St James’ to Leazes Park, though this caused much controversy and ultimately, nothing materialised from the move. Having been used for international contests in the past, the stadium was also used during the 2012 Olympics.

Europe’s 50 Best Stadiums Have Been Ranked by Study

Europe is home to many beautiful football stadiums such as the iconic Old Trafford and the revered Santiago Bernabeu – but which comes out on top?

7

Etihad Stadium

53,400 seats

The Etihad Stadium, or the City of Manchester Stadium to give the ground its name without the influence of sponsorship, has been Manchester City’s home for just a fraction of their history. Between 1880 and 1887, City played their home games across five different stadiums until moving to Hyde Road in the second of those years.

The Sky Blues would remain at Hyde Road for 36 years. The ground’s Main Stand was destroyed by a fire in 1920, however, and City moved to Maine Road three years later. Maine Road initially had a capacity of over 80,000 seats, but throughout the 20th century, this number was reduced and dwindled down to 32,000, which was cause enough for the club to look for a new home.

The Etihad, named as such in 2011, was built to host the 2002 edition of the Commonwealth Games. A year after the event, Manchester City moved into what was their new home, having signed a 200-year lease through the Manchester City Council for rights to the ground. At the time of writing, there are hopes that an expansion of the North Stand that will take the capacity to over 60,000 will be completed in time for the start of next season.

6

Emirates Stadium

60,704 seats

General view of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium

Despite being formed in 1886, it would take almost 30 years before Arsenal started playing in North London. After spending time at the Invicta Ground in the capital’s south-east region, they moved to the stadium that would become known as Highbury in September 1913, calling the ground home until 2006.

Highbury had a capacity of almost 60,000 until implications from the Taylor Report reduced that number to under 40,000 by 1993. Expansion proved problematic, both due to residential properties being close to the ground and its East Stand being designated as a listed building.

As such, when Arsenal wanted to move, a new stadium had to be built, with work being completed between 2004 and 2006 for almost £1 billion. Arsenal moved in the year of the stadium’s completion, their new home being capable of holding over 60,000 people. It has since been used for several international matches, as well as music acts when football isn’t being played.

A Silhouette of Rio Ferdinand outside of Highbury

‘I Played Drunk vs Arsenal at Highbury – I Later Became a Man United Legend’

Rio Ferdinand recalls a time in 1996/97 when he had a brandy and coke in hand when he was told he was suddenly in West Ham’s matchday squad.

5

Anfield

61,276 seats

Liverpool Football Club were formed in 1892 and in their 132 years of existence, they have only played at one stadium. Anfield, famed for its intense atmosphere, particularly on European nights, was, rather ironically, originally the home of Everton Football Club, who played there between 1884 and 1891 until they moved to Goodison Park.

The ground has seen crowds ranging from 5,000 to over 60,000 across its history, with development to the stadium having come steadily throughout the 20th century and into the current millennium. It was only this year that redevelopments on the Anfield Road End of the stadium were completed.

There were discussions about Liverpool potentially moving to a new stadium at Stanley Park at the turn of the century, though by the time Fenway Sports Group took over the club in 2010, it was made very clear that this idea would not be brought to reality.

General view of Liverpool's ground, Anfield

Why Liverpool Might be Unable to Expand Anfield Further

The current capacity of Anfield is now over 61,000 for the 2024/25 season.

4

London Stadium

62,500 seats

Opened in May 2012, the London Stadium was first known as the Olympic Stadium after the prestigious event for which it was built. Upon the conclusion of the Games, the stadium was repurposed to be used for multiple events, such as football.

West Ham United, who have been known as such since 1900, moved to the Boleyn Ground in 1904. The stadium, often also called Upton Park, had a capacity of around 35,000 seats and served as the Hammers’ home for 112 years until 2016. Having proposed the move some years prior, it was approved in 2011.

Having agreed a 99-year lease to play football at the London Stadium, West Ham played their final game at Upton Park towards the end of the 2015/16 Premier League season, beating Manchester United 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. In the London Stadium, West Ham have found a home that can hold almost double the capacity of its former ground.

3

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

62,850 seats

Founded in the early 1880s, Tottenham Hotspur began life as a football club by playing on public land. While this eventually gathered thousands of spectators, they could not make any gate charges, which led to a pitch being rented at Northumberland Park. After a stand collapse caused a handful of injuries in 1898, Spurs started looking for somewhere else to play their football, settling at White Hart Lane in 1899.

White Hart Lane would serve as home for Tottenham for over a century with a capacity of just over 35,000 seats, a number which, by the turn of the millennium and throughout the early 2000s, paled in comparison to those of their rivals. Spurs were interested in a potential move to the London Stadium, but it was West Ham that ultimately made the successful bid for that ground.

Instead, work continued on the new stadium they had planned on building since 2008. White Hart Lane was demolished after the 2016/17 season, with Spurs spending a campaign playing their home games at Wembley Stadium before the completion of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has a capacity of almost 63,000 seats. Spurs moved into the ground in 2019 and it has since also been used for National Football League games in London.

The Spurs crest with White Hart Lane and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Complete History of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

This article will look at the history of the home of Tottenham Hotspur.

2

Old Trafford

74,310 seats

Known as the “Theatre of Dreams” since the phrase was coined by the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford is one of world football’s most-famous stadiums and has served as the home of Manchester United since 1910, the club having previously played at North Road and Bank Street in the early days of its 146-year existence.

There was a period of time in the 1940s, due to damage from bombings in the Second World War, where the Red Devils played their home games at Maine Road, the ground of their city rivals Manchester City. Other than that, though, Man United have spent over a century at Old Trafford now.

The largest club football stadium in England, it has undergone a number of expansions in its history and currently has a capacity of just under 75,000. There have been many discussions in recent memory about revamping the stadium and it remains to be seen what improvements are made in the near future.

Image of Man Utd badge in front of Old Trafford

Guide to Old Trafford Stadium: Capacity, How to Get There and More

Our guide on Manchester United’s home, Old Trafford, and everything you need to know about one of the most famous stadiums in world football.

1

Wembley Stadium

90,000 seats

The largest football stadium in England and one of the most culturally significant football grounds in the world, Wembley as it stands today was opened in 2007 after a four-year build that, with current inflation rates, would cost over £1 billion to build today.

The original Wembley was opened in 1923 and in its maiden year began hosting the FA Cup final, a tradition which has continued to this day. Football icon Pele once described Wembley as the “cathedral of football,” a place of such importance that anyone involved in the sport can recognise it.

At the time of writing, the new stadium has hosted three Champions League finals and the finals of both the men’s 2020 Euros and women’s 2022 Euros. It also played host to the gold-medal games of the 2012 Olympics and has been used for rugby and NFL games in the past, the latter now being played at Tottenham’s new stadium.

The 1923 FA Cup final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham saw over 125,000 people attend, a record that has stood for over a century now. Demolition of the old ground began in 2002 and since the new build’s completion, Wembley’s importance as a stadium has continued.

(All capacity statistics are from the Premier League website or the Wembley Stadium website and are correct as of 27/11/2024)

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December 9, 2024

15 Most Loyal Players in Football History [Ranked]
Key Takeaways

Loyalty is a rare commodity in football that should be acknowledged and applauded.

Most players get swayed by bigger financial deals and potential silverware, and don’t repay the faith shown in them.

The likes of Francesco Totti and Marco Reus are among the most loyal footballers to ever play the game.
Loyalty is a rare commodity in football. In an industry as lucrative and silverware-driven as the beautiful game, mega-money contracts and the prospect of competing for the biggest trophies will always deter players from remaining at the clubs that unearthed them, or provided them with the support and platform to flourish.

Most will jump ship immediately when they believe the grass to be greener elsewhere, and won’t repay the faith shown in them by those who enabled the possibility of a move away in the first place. Particularly in periods of adversity, footballers have been notoriously quick to leave clubs in difficult positions, while leaving for rival teams has become increasingly more common in the modern era.

There are exceptions to the rule, however. There are those who value what their clubs have given them, and resist outside temptations.

From Francesco Totti and his love affair with Roma, to Marco Reus and the German’s devout commitment to Borussia Dortmund, GIVEMESPORT have identified the top 15 most loyal players in football history.

Ranking Factors:
- Longevity at a given club.
- Loyalty in times of adversity.
- Resisting offers from elsewhere.
15 Thomas Müller

Bayern Munich (2008-Present)

Joining the Bayern Munich academy at the age of 11, Thomas Müller is still at the Allianz Arena, having turned 35 in September. The German has made over 700 appearances for the Bundesliga club, scoring 245 goals, and has won 12 league titles and two Champions Leagues in the process.

While remaining at Germany’s most successful club, and one of the biggest clubs in the world, doesn’t represent an incredible ability to resist outside temptations, Muller’s pure longevity in Munich, and his commitment to die Roten, must be appreciated. He’s remained with Bayern in periods when they’ve not been the most competitive on the continental front, and reportedly turned down an ‘astronomical’ offer from Manchester United in 2014.

14 Koke

Atletico Madrid (2009-Present)

Atlético Madrid’s club-record appearance maker, Koke has remained at Spain’s third biggest footballing institution for the entirety of his career thus far, making over 650 appearances for the first team. Mostly operating in the shadows of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Spanish footballing landscape, most who are good enough at Atlético have aspirations of joining the two Galactico clubs, or alternatively end up in the Premier League.

However, these aspirations seemingly haven’t appealed to Koke, who has certainly been at the level to make the step-up to those clubs, or accept a lucrative offer from elsewhere in Europe. Indeed, the elegant midfielder revealed back in 2014 that he rejected an offer from Barcelona to remain at his beloved Atlético, a stern demonstration of loyalty for any Spaniard.

13 Mark Noble

West Ham United (2004-2022)

Nicknamed ‘Mr. West Ham’, aside from a couple of brief loan spells at Hull City and Ipswich Town, Mark Noble spent his whole career on the East London club’s books. Growing up in Canning Town, close to the Irons’ old ground, Upton Park, the midfielder was a Hammer through and through.

Noble made 550 appearances for West Ham, was never tempted by the allure of other clubs, and shed tears at the end of his final game for the club in 2022. The definition of a loyal servant, Noble also claimed to have turned down the chance to have an international career via the Republic of Ireland, due to his allegiance to England, who never demonstrated any interest in selecting him. That’s true loyalty.

12 Jamie Vardy

Leicester City (2012-Present)

Only establishing himself as a professional footballer at the age of 25, Jamie Vardy would’ve been forgiven for accepting any lucrative contract offer he received, to maximise his earnings during his short career at the top level. However, after winning the Premier League title with Leciester City in the 2015/16 season, Vardy turned down the chance to join Arsenal and earn presumably substantially more money, while giving himself a better chance of competing for the game’s top honours.

The Gunners had agreed a deal with the Foxes to sign the striker, but the player himself opted against the switch at the eleventh hour. He could certainly have been the catalyst for the North London outfit to win major silverware, but remained faithful to the club that had given him an opportunity at the highest level in the first place.

Whereas Danny Drinkwater, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez all secured big-money moves to major clubs in the 18 months after Leicester’s title win, Vardy stuck around. The maverick centre-forward has gone on to make 475 appearances for Leicester, scoring 194 goals.

11 Rogerio Ceni

Sao Paulo (1993-2015)

Making 1,197 appearances in your career is impressive, let alone for one club. Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Cerni spent 25 years at Sao Paulo, and despite being widely recognised as one of the best in between the sticks in the world in the mid-2000s, he never opted to depart Serie A for one of Europe’s top leagues, when he certainly could’ve.

However, what makes Ceni a shoo-in for this loyalty list, is the fact that he’s played more games and more minutes for a single club than any other player in the history of football. He’s literally spent more time on the pitch for one club than anyone else to ever play the sport. That’s some indication of commitment, and he’s even returned to coach the first team on two separate occasions.

10 Paul McStay

Celtic (1981-1997)

An apt name for a player commended for his loyalty, Paul McStay spent the entire duration of his 16-year career at Celtic, having developed through the Glaswegian giants’ academy. Making 678 appearances for the Scottish outfit, winning three first division titles and several domestic cups, it would be fair to suggest that there was no reason for him not to continuously commit his future to Celtic Park, given the consistent success and that he was plying his trade in his home nation, close to his hometown of Hamilton.

However, as a highly-thought of midfielder and prominent figure in the Scottish national team, managing 76 caps and playing in two World Cups, he certainly would’ve had interest from abroad. More lucrative deals and the opportunity to play in one of Europe’s top leagues would likely have been on the table.

Indeed, McStay reportedly turned down multiple offers from Italy, at a time in which Serie A was arguably the most attractive league in Europe. The likes of Inter Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina made proposals to the Scotsman, but he rejected all of them to remain faithful to his beloved Celtic.

9 Igor Akinfeev

CSKA Moscow (2003-Present)

Similarly to McStay, Moscow-born Igor Akinfeev has spent the entirety of his career at one club, with that club being dominant in his home nation. The goalkeeper has been at CSKA Moscow since making his debut at the age of 16 in 2003, and has since made 784 appearances for the Russian outfit, winning six league titles.

Making more appearances for the Russian national team than anyone barring one, Akinfeev has showcased his talents at multiple major international tournaments, which has caught the attention of several top European clubs. The one-club man was understood to have held talks with Manchester United back in 2009, while he was linked with Arsenal in 2010.

Ultimately rejecting these moves and remaining loyal to CSKA, the shot-stopper, who had been deemed a wonderkid when he was emerging as a teenager, was perhaps hindered from fulfilling his potential by not making the step away from Russian football.

8 Paolo Maldini

AC Milan (1984-2009)

One of the greatest defenders in football history, Paolo Maldini remained at AC Milan for his whole career, and subsequently established himself as one of the best ‘one-club’ footballers of all time, making over 900 appearances for the Italian giants. While enjoying a ridiculously illustrious time with his boyhood club, winning seven Serie A titles and five Champions Leagues, this success did dry up to an extent in the second half of his spell at the San Siro.

From 2000 onwards, Milan were slightly less competitive at the summit of the Italian top flight, and given he was widely regarded as the best defender on the planet, he could certainly have jumped ship for any club in world football. He didn’t, however, and this outstanding commitment to the Serie A giants, for such a long-time, deserves recognition.

7 Matt Le Tissier

Southampton (1986-2002)

Perhaps the first player on this list who remained loyal to a club that wasn’t successful in regard to silverware, Matt Le Tissier may be a controversial figure nowadays, but his devotion to Southampton should be applauded. Developing through the Saints’ academy, he scored 209 goals in 540 appearances for the south coast side, enjoying four seasons where he managed in excess of 20 goals across all competitions.

This exceptional productivity inevitably sparked interest from those competing at the top of the English first division. Le Tissier revealed he rejected approaches from both Tottenham and Chelsea, claiming that he couldn’t leave his beloved Southampton. That’s in spite of the fact that the Saints never finished above seventh in his time at the club, and were regularly involved in relegation dogfights.

6 Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus (2001-2018)

An Italian remaining at Italy’s most successful club for the majority of his career may not sound like a particularly remarkable example of loyalty, but Gianluigi Buffon stayed with Juventus through some turbulent times. With the Old Lady relegated to Serie B as a punishment for a betting scandal in 2006, the goalkeeper was expected to leave Turin.

Widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world at the time, he would be forgiven for not wanting to spend at least a year of his career outside of the top flight. However, Buffon opted to remain at Juventus, where he’d eventually make over 700 appearances, across two spells and 19 seasons at the club.

5 Steven Gerrard

Liverpool (1998-2015)

While many will claim that staying at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs for almost your entire career is not an impressive feat in regard to faithfulness, Steven Gerrard’s unwavering commitment to Liverpool is actually a rare example of a player resisting the temptations of more money and more success.

The English midfielder was worthy of numerous league titles and other pieces of silverware, and could have attained this elsewhere, but instead was insistent on trying his best to achieve these triumphs at his childhood club. He was rewarded with a Champions League winners medal in 2005, but a league title evaded him.

Famously turning down a move to Chelsea in 2004, Gerrard could’ve swapped Anfield for the riches of Stamford Bridge, where he would’ve won multiple league titles, but ultimately chose not to.

4 Marco Reus

Borussia Dortmund (2012-2024)

At his scintillating best, Marco Reus was one of the best wingers in world football. Unfortunately for the German, his dazzling career has just two DFB-Pokals to show for it.

After signing for Borussia Dortmund from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012, Reus made 429 appearances, scoring 170 goals, for die Schwarzgelben. He spent 12 seasons with the Western German club, before ending his love affair with them this summer by joining LA Galaxy for his swansong period in football.

Many who have joined Dortmund have notoriously used the club as a stepping stone, before moving to bigger clubs in the future, but Reus refused to take this path. Describing the Bundesliga outfit as his ‘home’, and claiming that he ‘belongs here’ in 2019, Reus is said to have turned down a move to Manchester United in 2014, while the Dortmund CEO revealed in 2015 that the loyal man rejected ‘double the money’ from some of the world’s biggest clubs.

3 Alessandro Del Piero

Juventus (1993-2012)

Like Buffon, the prolific Alessandro Del Piero remained at Juventus during the club’s season in Serie B in the late 2000s. Despite being one of the most potent goalscorers in Europe, the Italian pledged his allegiance to the Turin side in their darkest days, allowing him to continue what would be a staggering 19-year stay at the club.

What places him above Buffon on this list is merely the fact that he didn’t leave Juventus until it had become clear that he was surplus to requirements and was no longer at the requisite level to play in Serie A, joining Sydney FC in the A-League for his last dance. Meanwhile, Buffon jumped ship to accept a lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, albeit at the tail end of his career.

2 Francesco Totti

Roma (1993-2017)

Possibly the most iconic ‘one-club man’ in football history, Totti was the poster-boy of Roma, nicknamed ‘the Eighth King of Rome’ and ‘the Emperor’ during his time at the club. Worthy of a statue outside the Stadio Olimpico, the former attacking midfielder rose through the ranks in the Italian capital, making his debut at the age of 16, and retired with I Giallorossi at the age of 40.

Totti made 786 appearances for Roma in this time, netting 307 goals, and never even flirted with another club, despite winning just one Serie A title. This relative lack of success and extreme longevity is what makes the Italian so deserving of this recognition of loyalty, with Real Madrid understood to be the only team that were remotely close to prying him away from his home.

1 Alessandro Lucarelli

Parma (2008-2018)

Not a name many will be familiar with, but Alessandro Lucarelli has arguably displayed the most loyalty of any footballer to grace the game. An Italian defender, who had been something of a journeyman before arriving at Parma in 2008, was evidently capable of playing at the highest level, given he was consistently presented with opportunities to play in Serie A by new clubs throughout the first half of his career.

He finally settled down at Parma, winning the club promotion to the top flight in his debut campaign, before enjoying six straight seasons in Serie A. However, financial struggles hit I Crociati in 2015, and they were subsequently demoted straight to the fourth tier of Italian football.

Inevitably, there was a significant squad overhaul, with the entire playing staff leaving, aside from Lucarelli. The centre-back would certainly have had offers from Serie A clubs, but pledged to help the club return to the top flight, and took a significant reduced wage in the process.

Winning three successive promotions, Lucarelli retired at the end of the third, achieving what he’d promised, prompting Parma to retire his number six shirt.

All Statistics via TransferMarkt – correct as of 02/12/2024

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10 Most ‘Selfish’ Players in Football History [Ranked]

Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Mohamed Salah are all among the most selfish footballers of all time.
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December 4, 2024

9 Best Heroes in EA Sports FC 25 (Ranked)

Key Takeaways

Heroes in EA Sports FC 25 have unique league-specific chemistry.
The best ones include the likes of David Ginola and Lucio.
Available in the EA universe for the first time, Marek Hamsik and Maicon are also world-class.

EA Sports FC 25 and Ultimate Team is all about what it says on the tin — building the finest and most talented squad possible. Whether that’s via picking your favourite modern-day stars or footballers who have all the tricks in the books, it’s meant to be a journey to the very top.

Gamers around the world typically use Hero cards. Although not Icons, they have unique league-specific chemistry which is tied to their specific hero moment, providing a green club link to any player within the same league as well as the typical nation link.

All of them were memorable during their playing days, whether that’s due to their defensive work or ‘clutch’ moments in the final third. We have ranked the best Heroes in EA Sports FC 25 to make sure you pick the best ones and can dream of using a plethora of legendary players.

Ranking Factors

Rating – Players at the top end are normally more sought after.
Stats – The most important thing. They have to have world-class stats.
Price – The higher the price, the better players typically are.

Best Heroes in EA Sports FC 25
Rank	Player	League	Nationality	Position(s)
1.	David Ginola	Ligue 1	France	LM/CAM/ST/LW
2.	Antonio Di Natale	Serie A	Italy	ST/LW
3.	Yaya Toure	Premier League	Ivory Coast	CDM/CM/CAM
4.	Lucio	Serie A	Brazil	CB
5.	Eden Hazard	Premier League	Belgium	LM/LW
6.	Ze Roberto	Bundesliga	Brazil	LM/LB/LW/CM
7.	Ramires	Premier League	Brazil	CDM/RM
8.	Marek Hamsik	Serie A	Slovakia	CAM/CM
9.	Maicon	Serie A	Brazil	RB/RM

Ronaldo with the words ‘every skill move in EAFC’

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There are countless skill moves that can be completed in EA Sports FC 25, all of which can help you dominate matches.

9 Maicon

Serie A and Brazil

2010-05-22T000000Z_1_MT1ACI7006887_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-BAY-INT- maicon — Reuters

When you consider Maicon to be one of the greatest right-backs of all time, it’s hardly surprising that he is featured on a list like this. The famous Italian saying is “Rome was not built in a day” and, despite Maicon being Brazilian, he spent most of his career in the Southern European nation.

The saying perfectly sums up his career, as he progressed from a struggling youngster to a powerful and aggressive defender who everyone feared. Known for his versatility and power, Maicon is easily one of the finest defenders available in EAFC 25. He’s part of the ‘Gullit Gang’ – every stat is above 80 – which is almost unthinkable for a full-back. He’s available for 338k.

Stats
Overall Rating	88	Passing	81
Positions	RB/RM	Dribbling	84
Pace	86	Defending	83
Shooting	82	Physicality	85

8 Marek Hamsik

Serie A and Slovakia

Marek Hamsik was one of the 13 new Heroes in EAFC 25. While the Slovakian was a world-class player, he was also famous for having one of the worst haircuts in football, taking the spotlight away from his footballing skills. Adored by some and hated by others, Hamsik was never ignored.

The Slovakian excelled for Napoli during an impressive 12-year stint, winning two Coppa Italias at the club in 2012 and 2014 and becoming their then-all-time record goalscorer. In EAFC 25, his consistency in the middle of the park will be crucial; the only downside is that he will cost just north of 550k.

Stats
Overall Rating	87	Passing	87
Positions	CAM/CM	Dribbling	86
Pace	83	Defending	75
Shooting	87	Physicality	83

7 Ramires

Premier League and Brazil

Spending six years at Chelsea from 2010 to 2016, Ramires has been etched in the club’s history ever since. Winning essentially every major trophy available, the hard-working Brazilian, to put it bluntly, never stopped running. If they needed a workhorse to break up opposition chances, Ramires was there.

Now replicated in EAFC 25, Ramires is the perfect defensive midfielder in EAFC 25. Capable of driving forward whilst also acting as an aggressor in the middle of the park, there are no flaws to his card. He’s available for the expensive price of 640k, though — far from cheap.

Stats
Overall Rating	86	Passing	80
Positions	CDM/RM	Dribbling	81
Pace	88	Defending	84
Shooting	78	Physicality	83

6 Ze Roberto

Bundesliga and Brazil

If you could use three words to describe Ze Roberto at the peak of his career, they would be ‘electric’, ‘fast’ and ‘frightening’. His remarkable skill helped Bayer Leverkusen reach the Champions League final in 2002, whilst they also came close to domestic glory.

Capable of acting as a live wire on the ball, Ze Roberto’s legacy has been rewarded with an impressive card in EAFC. He can play further forward or even at left-back, whilst he is narrowly missing a place in the ‘Gullit Gang’. Available for 385k, there are very few midfielders who can do as many jobs as the Brazilian.

Stats
Overall Rating	87	Passing	86
Positions	LM/LB/LW/CM	Dribbling	89
Pace	87	Defending	78
Shooting	79	Physicality	80

5 Eden Hazard

Premier League and Belgium

While it’s great Eden Hazard is included in an EA game once again, it’s also a major disappointment that he has retired. At the age of just 33, one of Chelsea’s greatest players of all time should be thriving still, dancing around the final third like he is still in his prime.

While his career spiralled once he moved to Real Madrid, nothing should be taken away from his talents at the Blues. He is one of the best Premier League players of all time, whilst – in EAFC 25 – he will be able to channel his legacy with quick feet and dynamic dribbling in the box. The downside? He will cost over 1.1m to use, which is an expensive price to pay for greatness.

Stats
Overall Rating	88	Passing	84
Positions	LM/LW	Dribbling	91
Pace	91	Defending	37
Shooting	83	Physicality	68

4 Lucio

Serie A and Brazil

During a career which saw Lucio play for Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus, Lucio was always going to be honoured by EA at some point. Ever since he entered the football gaming universe, he has been one of the most popular centre-backs.

Available for 700k currently, the Brazilian – who won the World Cup with his nation in 2002 – is capable of dominating even the best strikers in the game. Having ’91 defending’ this early in the game feels like a cheat code, whilst he is also comfortable driving forward and playing out from the back. World-class.

Stats
Overall Rating	89	Passing	74
Position	CB	Dribbling	77
Pace	82	Defending	91
Shooting	72	Physicality	89

Antonio Rudiger, Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba.

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Including Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, the best centre-backs in EA Sports FC 25 have been revealed.

3 Yaya Toure

Premier League and Ivory Coast

Yaya Toure in action for Manchester City

When people discuss who is the greatest Premier League midfielder of all time, it’s normally a conversation regarding Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard. Perhaps it’s a sense of English bias, because – without a doubt – Yaya Toure should be in those discussions.

Underrated throughout his career, Toure almost always dominated the middle of the park. Now replicated in EAFC 25, the Ivory Coast international is so well-rounded and versatile that your opponent will be frustrated from minute one. If you need someone to score a long-range screamer, Toure will pop up as well. It’s all for the price of 915k.

Stats
Overall Rating	87	Passing	86
Positions	CDM/CM/CAM	Dribbling	84
Pace	78	Defending	80
Shooting	83	Physicality	89

9 Best Central Midfielders in EA Sports FC 25 (Ranked)

Including Manchester City duo Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, the best central midfielders in EA Sports FC 25 have been revealed.

2 Antonio Di Natale

Serie A and Italy

When you think of loyalty, you think of Antonio Di Natale. As one of the best strikers in the world during the prime of his career, the legendary Italian had plenty of opportunities to leave his one true love, Udinese, but he always remained loyal. He played for them from 2004 to 2016.

In EAFC 25, the small but nimble forward can dance into the final third, either as your main striker or on the left flank. Meanwhile, when he does find space in the box, he will take advantage. “Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile,” the famous saying goes; that’s what Di Natale does, although you would expect that for the price of 1.28m.

Stats
Overall Rating	88	Passing	85
Positions	ST/LW	Dribbling	90
Pace	90	Defending	46
Shooting	91	Physicality	70

1 David Ginola

Ligue 1 and France

Finally, David Ginola has been ranked the best Hero in EA Sports FC 25. Ever since he joined the football gaming universe in FIFA 2022, he has been ‘overpowered’ and ‘meta’, so seeing him on the top step of the podium is hardly surprising. The legendary Frenchman was truly world-class, after all.

Available for 1.85m in EAFC 25, Ginola channels his Ligue 1 heritage from his playing days with Paris Saint-Germain. He can play upfront, as a number ten or on the left flank. However, in every position, his dynamic dribbling and quick feet will let him thrive. It’s why he’s considered, by some, to be one of the greatest French players of all time.

Stats
Overall Rating	89	Passing	87
Positions	LM/CAM/ST/LW	Dribbling	91
Pace	90	Defending	55
Shooting	88	Physicality	84

Stats and prices via Futbin (correct as of 27/11/24)

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December 1, 2024

State Hockey Polls: River Lakes ranked 19th in Class A – West Central Tribune

Nov. 26 from the Let’s Play Hockey rankings.

1. Hill-Murray (5-0)
2. Centennial/Spring Lake Park (5-0)
3. Holy Family (3-1)
4. Minnetonka (3-1-1)
5. Andover (3-2)
6. Edina (2-1)
7. Maple Grove (4-1)
8. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-1-1)
9. Moorhead (3-2)
10. Roseau (6-2)
11. Woodbury (4-0-1)
12. Northfield (4-1)
13. Bemidji (4-2)
14. Rosemount (2-2)
15. Farmington (3-2)
16. Apple Valley (4-2)
17. Champlin Park/Coon Rapids (3-2)
18. Eden Prairie (3-4)
19. Forest Lake (5-0)
20. Roseville/Mahtomedi (4-1)

Others receiving votes: Grand Rapids/Greenway, Owatonna, Stillwater, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Cretin-Derham Hall, Prior Lake

1.Rogers (2-0)
2. Cretin-Derham Hall (0-0)
3. Moorhead (1-1)
4. Edina (1-1)
5. Shakopee (1-1)
6. Hill-Murray (0-0)
7. St. Thomas Academy (1-0)
8. Maple Grove (1-1)
9. Wayzata (1-1)
10. Stillwater (1-0)
11. Minnetonka (0-1)
12. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (0-0)
13. Academy of Holy Angels (2-0)
14. White Bear Lake (1-0)
15. Andover (0-1)
16. Rosemount (2-0)
17. Grand Rapids (1-0)
18. Lakeville South (1-0)
19. Eden Prairie (0-0)
20. Champlin Park (0-0)

Others receiving votes: Elk River/Zimmerman, Rock Ridge, Holy Family, Centennial, Chanhassen, Bemidji, Gentry Academy

1. Dodge County (5-0-1)
2. Academy of Holy Angels (4-1)
3. Mound-Westonka/Southwest Christian (3-1)
4. Orono (4-2-1)
5. Warroad (3-1)
6. Proctor/Hermantown (4-2)
7. South St. Paul (5-1)
8. Marshall (6-0)
9. Breck (3-2)
10. Blake (3-1)
11. Albert Lea (5-1)
12. Hutchinson (4-1)
13. Thief River Falls (3-2)
14. Delano/Rockford (2-2)
15. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (3-2)
16. Simley (2-5)
17. Rock Ridge (4-1)
18. North Shore (3-1-1)
19. River Lakes (2-2)
20. Pine City (4-1)

Others receiving votes: Mankato West, Fergus Falls, Minnesota River, Crookston, Moose Lake, Chisago Lakes, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato

1. St. Cloud Cathedral (0-0-1)
2. Hermantown (0-0)
3. Warroad (1-0-1)
4. Hibbing-Chisholm (1-0)
5. Delano (1-1)
6. Mahtomedi (0-1)
7. Orono (2-0)
8. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (1-0)
9. East Grand Forks (0-2)
10. Northern Lakes (1-0)
11. Monticello (0-0)
12. Northfield (0-0)
13. Minneapolis (0-0-1)
14. Detroit Lakes (1-0)
15. Thief River Falls (0-0)
16. Little Falls (0-0)
17. Proctor (2-0)
18. Alexandria (0-2)
19. Chisago Lakes (0-0-1)
(tie) 20. Southwest Christian/Richfield (0-0)
(tie) 20. Waseca (0-0)

Others receiving votes: Mankato East, Breck, Mankato West, Dodge County, Luverne, New Ulm, Crookston

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November 30, 2024
10 Most Intimidating Players in Football History [Ranked]

For every footballer capable of striking fear into the opposition with their dazzling footwork or goalscoring prowess, there are others who could make people tremble just with a glare. While the sport has evolved into a more cerebral game, where tactics and teamwork take precedence, there was a time when individualism held greater sway, and during that era, some players were truly fearsome.

Whether it was through getting into fistfights on the pitch or showing no remorse when launching into potentially career-ending tackles, these men were the ones you wouldn’t want to cross. To determine who embodied this aura of intimidation most effectively, GIVEMESPORT has compiled a list of the 10 most intimidating players in football history.

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10 Billy Bremner

Notable clubs: Leeds United

Iconic Leeds United captain Billy Bremner was widely regarded as one of football’s most intimidating figures during his heyday. Despite his modest 5’5″ stature, Bremner exuded a fierce presence on the pitch. His tenacity, fearless tackles, and boundless energy earned him a reputation as a relentless competitor who never shied away from confrontation. Bremner’s ability to outfight larger opponents showcased his indomitable spirit and determination to win at all costs.

As the leader of Don Revie’s formidable Leeds side in the 1960s and 1970s, Bremner embodied the team’s aggressive and uncompromising style. His fiery temperament often led to heated clashes with rivals, perhaps the most famous of which occurring with Kevin Keegan during the 1974 Community Shield, which resulted in a lengthy suspension.

9 Vinnie Jones

Notable clubs: Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea

A key member of Wimbledon’s infamous “Crazy Gang” during the 1980s and 1990s, Vinnie Jones thrived on unsettling opponents with his physicality and psychological tactics. Standing tall and muscular, he embodied the image of an enforcer, using bone-crunching tackles and unrelenting pressure to dominate matches.

Jones’ infamous moments, such as his notorious challenge on Paul Gascoigne, became emblematic of his tough-guy reputation. Beyond his physical presence, Jones also possessed a sharp wit and a combative personality, frequently engaging in mind games and taunts to rattle opponents. His role in Wimbledon’s shock 1988 FA Cup victory against Liverpool further cemented his status as a footballing hard man, a character that he has since embodied in several roles as an actor in his retirement.

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The incident impacted the Wimbledon players so much, they ended up losing 4-1.

8 Graeme Souness

Notable clubs: Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Sampdoria, Rangers

Graeme Souness was a fearsome presence on the football pitch, renowned for his combative style and fiery leadership. As a dominant midfielder for Liverpool in the late 1970s and 1980s, his aggressive tackles and willingness to confront opponents head-on made him one of the most intimidating players of his era.

While his technical prowess may be lacking in comparison to stars in the modern day game he has gripes with, such as Paul Pogba, he used his physicality to lead by example and send shivers down the spine of anyone who dared tried to match up with him in the centre of the pitch. He carried this same intensity into management, where he allegedly challenged Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer to a fight after the pair had gotten involved in a scuffle while at Newcastle.

7 Zinedine Zidane

Notable clubs: Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid

Some players are intimidating purely based on their talent alone. If they are capable of running rings around the opposition, that might be enough for opponents to concede victory before play has even started. Others rely on being nasty to strike fear into their adversaries. Fortunately for Zinedine Zidane, he could do both.

The French midfielder was a majestic playmaker, one of European football’s brightest stars in both the 1990s and the 2000s. However, he also had a mean streak, and when the red mist descended, it spelled trouble for anyone in his path. No one knows this better than Marco Materazzi, who Zidane famously headbutted during his final match in the 2006 World Cup final.

6 Patrick Vieira

Notable clubs: AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan

In an era of the Premier League that featured some of the toughest players ever to grace the pitch, Patrick Vieira stood out as one of the hardest. Like his compatriot Zidane, Vieira possessed a skill level that belied the physical presence expected of a bruising midfielder.

While he was much more than just a physical enforcer, both technically and mentally, the former Arsenal skipper remained a player no one wanted to cross. His infamous rivalry with another legendary figure on this list is etched into English football history and secures the now Genoa manager’s place here.

5 Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher

Notable clubs: FC Koln, Schalke, Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce

Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher was one of football’s most intimidating figures, remembered for his commanding presence as West Germany’s goalkeeper and his controversial edge. His aggressive style and ability to dominate his penalty area made him a daunting opponent, but his reputation was forever defined by a shocking incident during the 1982 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France.

With the game perfectly poised for a grandstand finish, Schumacher brutally collided with French defender Patrick Battiston, knocking him unconscious and knocking out several of his teeth. The incident, which went unpunished by the referee, shocked the football world. Adding to the controversy, his unapologetic response in post-match interviews inflamed public outrage. While Schumacher’s goalkeeping skills were world-class, his actions made him a symbol of violence in the sport, overshadowing his career with a lasting legacy of fear and controversy.

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4 Pepe

Notable clubs: Porto, Real Madrid

The modern game relies so much on ball-playing defenders that it often feels like there is no longer a place for the no-nonsense ones who will put their heads where no one else will and play on a knife-edge when it comes to following the rules. With the way the sport is heading, Pepe may be one of the last of that breed.

A multi-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, the 41-year-old formed a partnership with Sergio Ramos that was as chaotic as it was high-quality. When Pepe saw the red mist, there was no coming back. Numerous examples exist of him kicking and stamping on opponents with the ball nowhere to be seen. Perhaps that mentality was key to his incredible longevity at the top, as he became the oldest player to feature at a European Championship in his final ever match.

3 Duncan Ferguson

Notable clubs: Rangers, Everton, Newcastle United

Standing at 6’4” and with a steely stare that would get even the strongest willed to look away, ‘Big Dunc’, Duncan Ferguson, was a constant menace to defenders, using his strength, aerial dominance, and fiery temperament to great effect. His aggressive playing style often pushed the boundaries, earning him numerous bookings and suspensions.

Ferguson’s fearsome reputation extended beyond football when he became the first professional player in Britain to serve jail time for an on-field incident. In 1994, while playing for Rangers, he headbutted Raith Rovers’ John McStay during a match. Although the referee missed the incident, Ferguson was later convicted of assault and sentenced to three months in prison. This didn’t lead to him reeling in his over the line antics though, as] he would often use his reputation to hoodwink other players, as Jimmy Bullard once revealed.

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2 Gennaro Gattuso

Notable clubs: Rangers, AC Milan

Known as “Rino” or “The Rhino,” Gennaro Gattuso was a cornerstone of AC Milan’s success in the 2000s, excelling as a ball-winner and enforcer. Despite his modest stature, his uncompromising tackles, relentless pressing, and confrontational style struck fear into opponents.

Gattuso’s fiery personality often boiled over, leading to infamous clashes on and off the pitch. One of the most memorable incidents came in 2011 during a Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur, where he headbutted assistant coach Joe Jordan during a heated exchange. This fiery demeanor, combined with his ceaseless work rate, embodied his passion for the game and uncompromising will to win. While not the most technically gifted player, Gattuso’s hardworking nature made him a mainstay in Italian football for a number of years.

1 Roy Keane

Notable clubs: Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Celtic

As captain of Manchester United during their most successful era under Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane embodied the club’s winning mentality. His intense work ethic, tough tackling, and commanding presence in midfield set the tone for his teammates, often intimidating them – let alone those standing in his way.

The Irishman was also someone who never forgot when somebody, in his view, wronged him. Just ask Alf-Inge Haaland. The father of Erling was the recipient of a horrific intentional tackle from Keane as revenge for the Norwegian previously screaming at the United number 16 after suffering a severe injury. Keane remembered this and used that to fuel him years later with no remorse. This is just one example as to why he takes the crown.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt – accurate as of 20/11/2024

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November 22, 2024
10 Greatest Bicycle Kick Specialists in Football History [Ranked]
Key Takeaways

Executing a bicycle kick requires exceptional skill & self-belief, making them rare & spectacular.

Players like Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimović have scored iconic acrobatic goals.

Pele, Diego Maradona and Hugo Sanchez have also mastered the art, marking them among the greatest bicycle kick specialists.
Perhaps the most spectacular way to score a goal, executing a bicycle kick to perfection is a sight to behold. The shere audacity needed to attempt to convert an aerial ball that is behind you into a shot on goal takes a considerable amount of self-belief, and pulling it off requires exceptional athleticism and skill.

Combine these factors which already make them rare, with the pressure to execute such actions in high leverage moments, and no wonder opposition fans have either famously applauded such efforts, or sat there in disbelief at what they’ve just witnessed. Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning acrobatic strike against Everton hushed Goodison Park, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s overhead kick for Real Madrid against Juventus was met with a standing ovation from the Turin faithful.

Such a unique skill, which demands such absurd athleticism, even the great Lionel Messi only successfully netted his first ever goal of this kind in 2022 for Paris Saint-Germain. However, some players have been able to master the art of the bicycle kick, performing it effectively on multiple occasions.

From Wayne Rooney to Ronaldo, here are the ten greatest bicycle kick specialists in football history.

10 Peter Crouch

Career Span: 1998-2019

Given his lanky figure and gangly movement, you may not have expected Peter Crouch to have flung himself about acrobatically on the pitch throughout his playing career. However, he used his two metres in height to do exactly that, reaching for balls most couldn’t get to with his long legs.

His effort against Galatasaray for Liverpool is perhaps his most iconic goal of this nature, meeting Steve Finnan’s cross with a mouth-watering overhead kick at Anfield in 2006. Citing Gianluca Vialli as an inspiration for his gymnastic exploits, Crouch claimed he practiced bicycle kicks as a child, and replicated his goal against the Turkish outfit for the Reds just months later, in a much less celebrated, but equally special, goal against Bolton.

9 Ramon Unzaga

Career Span: 1912-1923

Not a name many will be familiar with, Ramon Unzaga is rumoured by some to be the first ever player to use the bicycle kick in football history, or at least to a level of relative notoriety. Executing the move while playing for his club team in Chile in 1914, he amazed the spectators at the El Morro Stadium in Talcahuano, by launching himself in the air and reaching for a cross that had been played behind him, diverting it towards goal and finding the back of the net.

Repeating the feat in various Copa Americas for Chile, the signature move was initially dubbed ‘Chorera’, the name of the club Unzaga was playing for upon his first overhead attempt, and then labelled ‘la Chilena’ by the Argentine press. Being the founding father of the bicycle kick, and potentially the first person in history to think of pulling off such a bizarre action, certainly merits a place on this list.

8 Wayne Rooney

Career Span: 2002-2001

Perhaps responsible for the most iconic overhead kick in Premier League history, and one of the most iconic goals generally, Rooney earns his place as one of the bicycle kick specialists. With the Manchester derby poised at 1-1 at Old Trafford in 2011, and the title slipping from United’s grasp, Rooney delivered an extraordinary finish, swiftly adjusting his body to position himself to convert Nani’s deflected cross with power and precision.

Did he replicate this in a competitive fixture? Perhaps not, but he came close on a few occasions, and the significance of this goal in the overhead kick sphere means he warrants being included.

7 Carlo Parola

Career Span: 1939-1955

Similarly to Unzaga, Carlo Parola is a name many won’t be accustomed to, due to the era in which he was plying his trade. However, given he was literally nicknamed ‘Signor Rovesciata’ (‘Mr. Overhead Kick’), it would be disrespectful not to mention his name in this realm.

Unzaga may have pioneered bicycle kicks, but Parola popularised them in (slightly) more modern times. His athleticism meant he was able to execute impressive efforts of this kind on a consistent basis throughout the 1940s, with the Italians crediting him with the invention of the technique, something Chileans will dispute.

Parola’s bicycle kick legacy extends to popular football culture in the modern day, with the Panini Group adopting an image of the player attempting one of these efforts as their logo for over thirty years.

6 Gareth Bale

Career Span: 2006-2023

Like Rooney, Gareth Bale’s overhead kick record may not be extensive, but he’s the creator of perhaps the greatest and most iconic goal in this category of all time, and possibly the greatest ever Champions League final goal. With Liverpool and Real Madrid heading to penalties in Kiev in the prestigious continental competition’s final in 2018, Bale launched himself into the air and perfectly guided the ball beyond an outstretched Lloris Karius.

What a time to do it. Pandemonium set in as the Welshman delivered a statue-worthy moment for Los Blancos. Audacious, and requiring both astounding physical and technical quality, it was a hall of fame moment that is worthy of a mention in any overhead kick discourse.

Bale did score another sensational ‘bicey’ in his career for Real Madrid, against Villarreal, which aids his case in regard to being deemed a specialist, but that strike pales in comparison to the one on that night in Ukraine.

5 Diego Maradona

Career Span: 1976-1997

Small and diminutive, Diego Maradona was a different type of overhead kick specialist to the archetypal experts in this space. While most activated their physical power and size to reach wayward passes, the great Argentine used his elusiveness and agility to produce acrobatic efforts in small and more intricate positions.

While his exact output from bicycle kicks isn’t documented, Maradona is cited as one of the most notable performers of the technique during the last decades of the 20th century, in Michael Lewis’ book, Soccer for Dummies. He also produced possibly the most iconic acrobatic assist of all time, for Napoli against Bari in the 1989/90 season.

4 Pele

Career Span: 1956-1977

Also mentioned in Lewis’ book as an influential bicycle kick pioneer, Pele wrote in his autobiography of his regret that only ‘three or four’ of his 1,283 career goals were bicycle kicks. Well, this number significantly usurps 99.9% of footballers that ever lived, and thus immediately grants him a respectable spot on this list.

Similarly to Maradona, Pele wasn’t the tallest footballer, and thus most of his overhead endeavours were about him exploiting small spaces rather than flinging himself into the air and attacking the ball with venom. Few in the modern day can claim they witnessed the best of Pele, despite him being one of the greatest footballers of all time. So it’s difficult to measure just how much of a bicycle kick specialist he truly was, but he produced enough in this area to generate a two-minute compilation of his gymnastic efforts, so there’s that.

3 Hugo Sanchez

Career Span: 1976-1997

With a background in gymnastics, former Real Madrid striker Hugo Sanchez began working on overhead kicks at the age of four. Eventually becoming synonymous with acrobatic shooting, they ultimately became a defining feature of the Mexican’s illustrious career.

Scoring numerous bicycle kicks, Sanchez trademarked the eloquent overhead effort. His flamboyance and eagerness to showboat and express his unique talent, lent itself to a career of proving to be the overhead master.

With his early-age gymnastics said to have played a prominent role in enabling him to develop this skill, it does beg the question as to why more strikers don’t practice this other sport on the side, to also perfect acrobatic finishes on the pitch.

2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Career Span: 2002-Present

A man known for producing awe-inspiring moments, Ronaldo’s incredible overhead kick goal against Juventus in 2018 is one of the most memorable in this realm. Given his supreme ability in the air, with a staggering leap, it makes sense that this would translate to acrobatic efforts.

His bicycle kick exploits certainly aren’t limited to the strike against the Old Lady. The former Manchester United man has, in fact, a substantial catalogue of goals of this kind, with Bicycle Potential estimating that he’s scored more than 25 bicycle kicks throughout his celebrated career. An astonishing rate, given that most players who have found the back of the net from these scenarios are limited to one or two moments at best.

1 Zlatan Ibrahimović

Career Span: 1999-2023

Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

A unique physical specimen, Zlatan Ibrahimović’s stature and power meant he was capable of scoring out-of-the-ordinary acrobatic goals. This is encapsulated by his FIFA Puskas award-winning strike against England for Sweden in 2012, possibly the greatest bicycle kick of all time.

Ordinarily, overhead kicks are scored within close range of the goal. Generating enough power to find the back of the net when mid-way through the air, with your back to goal and your body lopsided, and several yards outside the penalty area, is pretty unheard of. Ibrahimovic accomplished this with his distinguished goal against the Three Lions.

This alone is essentially enough to merit top spot, but he reproduced this skill on numerous occasions throughout his career.

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November 21, 2024

10 Biggest Gates in US Combat Sports History [Ranked]

Combat sports is on fire right now and the UFC as well as boxing are arguably in their most successful financial periods of all time.

Turki Alalshikh’s fresh involvement in the sport of boxing has catapulted the sport back to the heights it used to be at after falling behind for many years due to different promoters and fighters pricing themselves out of having the best fight the very best. In his short time in boxing so far, Alalshikh has made some of the biggest fights of all time such as Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight titles and a huge all-British heavyweight clash between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua, which took place at a packed out Wembley Stadium.

Boxing’s recent financial success is being followed by the UFC. Despite their biggest star, Conor McGregor, being absent from competition for the last three years, the promotion is absolutely thriving without him and is producing huge stars left, right, and centre, who have carried the sport forward. This has resulted in five out of the top 10 UFC gates of all time coming in 2024.

With the UFC and boxing both in insanely successful financial periods, now is a good time to take a look back at some of the biggest fights and events of all time. Including the recent fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson and the dream fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, GIVEMESPORT will take you through the top 10 largest US combat sports gates in history.

10 Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson

$18.1 million (2024)

Despite the huge backlash around the fight being made due to the massive age discrepancy, Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson proved to be a huge success and was watched by a staggering 108 million live viewers, according to Netflix. The fight took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and it was packed to the brim with 72,300 fans in attendance. Despite a fiery fight week build-up, the fight itself was incredibly disappointing as it was basically held at the pace of an exhibition bout, leading to many fans in the arena voicing their frustrations with loud boos. Despite the negative reaction the bout got, Paul, Tyson, and Netflix will no doubt be happy as the event generated a huge amount of money.

9 Floyd Mayweather vs Oscar De La Hoya

$19 million (2007)

Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya face off-1

For six years, Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya’s highly anticipated clash held the top spot in the list of largest US combat sports gates. The bout was held in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada and was one of the most talked about and hyped boxing fights of all time. When there is a very exciting and intriguing build towards a fight, the actual fighting typically underwhelms. However, Mayweather vs De La Hoya was a back-and-forth classic with ‘Money’ coming out the victor via split decision in what was one of the toughest tests of his sensational 50-0 professional boxing career.

8 Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez

$20 million (2013)

The two names which are ever present in this list of the largest US gates in combat sports history are Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez, and their 2013 clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, currently occupies the number eight spot in this list. This bout was billed as almost a passing of the torch event as the Mexican, Canelo, was a 23-year-old young man who many people were predicting to be the future of boxing, took on the crisp veteran Mayweather. Despite many fans and analysts thinking Canelo could give Mayweather a run for his money, the American completely dominated the bout.

7 Errol Spence Jr vs Terence Crawford

$21 million (2023)

Many people currently view Terence Crawford as the best boxer alive right now and his masterclass of a performance against Errol Spence Jr in 2023 is a huge factor for those people believing that. Leading into the fight, Crawford vs Spence Jr was looking like one of the most even and difficult fights to call in modern-day boxing history. However, ‘Bud’ showed Spence Jr levels, knocking him down three times in the fight, which led to the referee stepping in and saving ‘The Truth’ from taking potentially career-changing damage. Crawford was the first to defeat Spence Jr and the latter is still yet to return to the ring almost 18 months down the line, which is hardly a surprise given the amount of damage he took.

6 Noche UFC/UFC 306

$22 million (2024)

There is only one UFC event which currently sits inside the top 10 of the largest US combat sports gates of all time and surprisingly, it does not involve the promotion’s biggest-ever star, Conor McGregor. The UFC visited the incredible Las Vegas Sphere just over two months ago with an iconic event which was a love letter to Mexican combat sports. The event was headlined by a UFC bantamweight title fight between then reigning champion Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. However, the fights and fighters were not the stars of this show, it was The Sphere. UFC Noche is by far the most expensive event the UFC has ever put on production-wise, but that financial blow would have been softened due to the incredible $22 million gate it drew.

10 Highest Gates in UFC History [Ranked]

The UFC’s ability to make big money at the box office continues to get stronger and stronger…

5 Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia

$22.8 million (2023)

Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia’s 2023 clash is one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches in recent memory due to both men’s eccentric personalities, as well as being two of the most powerful, quick, and best young boxing prospects on the planet. At the time of the fight taking place, Davis and Garcia had a combined 46 career KOs between them and the finishing potential was one of the main draws to this fight for fans and a finish is what they got. In the seventh round, Davis landed a very sneaky body shot which crumbled ‘King Ryan,’ deeming him unable to continue. Following the fight, many fans on social media branded Garcia a quitter for choosing not to continue.

4 Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin II

$23.5 million (2018)

Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin hold one of the best boxing trilogies of all time and the second fight between the two, which took place in 2018, takes the number four spot in the list of largest US combat sports gates of all time. What makes the high ranking of this fight even more impressive is that Canelo and Golovkin are not trash talkers and let their hands do the talking and that is exactly what they did. The Mexican and ‘Triple G’ went to war in a sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a fight which was awarded Fight of the Year, according to Ring Magazine.

3 Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin I

$27.1 million (2017)

Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin once again features inside the top 10 of the largest gates in US combat sports history, and it is the first clash between the two which sits one place above their second fight. The bout, which took place just one year prior to their classic in 2018, generated a staggering $27.1 million in ticket sales. What made the first fight between Canelo and Golovkin the biggest of their trilogy was the people’s anticipation to see who truly was the best middleweight fighter alive. Unfortunately, fans who paid to witness the fight that night did not get a definitive answer to that question as the fight was judged a split draw. This ultimately set up their classic clash 364 days down the line.

2 Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor

$55.4 million (2017)

Crossover boxing fights are a very normal thing nowadays. However, they once were a rarity and the huge clash between Floyd Mayweather and MMA superstar, Conor McGregor, in 2017 paved the way for crossover fights. At the time of this fight being made, the Irishman was at the peak of his powers in the UFC and was fresh off making history at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first-ever two-division champion in the company’s history, while his opponent, Mayweather, had been retired for almost two years. The announcement of the fight broke the internet, as did their insane worldwide media tour where they went to London, Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles to sell the fight to the world. The fight did not need selling as McGregor and Mayweather are two of the most eccentric characters in combat sports history and their personalities clashed perfectly. Despite some early success from ‘The Notorious,’ Mayweather showed the difference between a veteran boxer and an MMA fighter who was competing in his professional boxing debut. After wearing the Irishman out, ‘Money’ went on to finish McGregor in the 10th round via TKO.

The 10 biggest gates in US combat sports history
Rank	Fight	Total gate (ticket sales)
10.	Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson	$18.1 million
9.	Floyd Mayweather vs Oscar De La Hoya	$19 million
8.	Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez	$20 million
7.	Errol Spence Jr vs Terence Crawford	$21 million
6.	Noche UFC/UFC 306	$22 million
5.	Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia	$22.8 million
4.	Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin II	$23.5 million
3.	Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin I	$27.1 million
2.	Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor	$55.4 million
1.	Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao	$72.2 million
Figures taken per Michael Benson – correct as of 20th of November 2024

1 Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao

$72.2 million (2015)

MayPac — Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao may hold the largest boxing gate record ever for many more years to come. The dream fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao did absolutely insane numbers and managed to generate a whopping $72.2 million in ticket sales, which leads the huge crossover fight between Mayweather and Conor McGregor by around $17 million. As of right now, it seems extremely unlikely that any combat sports fight will come anywhere close to generating those types of numbers. Despite fans dreaming of the possibility of Mayweather vs Pacquiao for many years, the fight itself was an incredible disappointment for a few different reasons. Some of the reasons why the fight was so disappointing were because of Pacquiao coming into the fight with a serious shoulder injury, Mayweather’s defensive style, the lack of action, as well as the insanely high expectations. Mayweather vs Pacquiao is probably the most underwhelming fight in boxing history. However, everyone involved in the fight would have left happy as they would have set themselves up for life that night.

Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez

10 Biggest Gates in US Boxing History [Ranked]

Floyd Mayweather, Canelo Alvarez and Mike Tyson dominate the list…

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November 20, 2024

The best 10 goalkeepers in football right now (ranked)

The term ‘shot-stopper’ almost becomes more null and void with every passing year, for a goalkeeper is far more than that these days. They are the beginning of every manager’s system, the first pass to break a press, they get their side up the pitch, they sweep their area.

What began with Manuel Neuer has progressed into what is the expectancy of every modern-day ‘shot-stopper’. And that has seen a fresh batch of stars emerge to create history and spark the endless debate as to who takes the crown as the world’s best. Using stats such as saves per 90, save percentage, clean sheets and pass accuracy, we’ve determined our number one.

watkins-mbappe-haaland-kane-ronaldo-best-strikers

The best strikers in the world right now (Ranked)

These players all know where the back of the net is – but who can claim to be the best in the world?

Note: All stats correct as of 15th November 2024.

Football FanCast’s best goalkeepers in the world
Rank	Player	Club
1	Alisson	Liverpool
2	Thibaut Courtois	Real Madrid
3	Mike Maignan	Milan
4	Ederson	Man City
5	David Raya	Arsenal
6	Jan Oblak	Atletico Madrid
7	Unai Simon	Athletic Bilbao
8	Emiliano Martinez	Aston Villa
9	Giorgi Mamardashvili	Valencia
10	Diogo Costa	Porto

10

Diogo Costa

Porto & Portugal

An underrated name on this list, Diogo Costa has become more reliable than most at Porto and represents a true modern-day No 1. Rising through the ranks at the Portuguese club, Costa has more than earned his place and has even been linked with moves to the likes of Chelsea along the way.

For now, however, his main goal remains taking his boyhood club back to the top of Liga Portugal ahead of Sporting CP.

Ranked eighth in the 2024 Yashin Trophy, Costa has been forced to settle for a place in 10th in our rankings, but should hold no shame in that given the plethora of names still to come.

Diogo Costa key stats (since 2023/24)
Saves per 90	1.77
Save percentage	70.5%
Clean sheets	20
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	42%
Diogo Costa stats via FBref

9

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Valencia & Georgia

Ranked one place ahead of Costa in the Yashin Trophy standings, Giorgi Mamardashvili has emerged as one of the hottest prospects around between the sticks. The Valencia goalkeeper has starred even as the rest of his side continue to struggle at the bottom of La Liga and particularly stood at at Euro 2024 with Georgia.

Attracting the interest of Liverpool as a result, Mamardashvili sealed a move worth a reported £29m to Anfield in the summer before heading back out on loan to Valencia for the current campaign.

On course to become the heir to Alisson Becker’s throne, 6ft 6in Mamardashvili is one of the best shot-stoppers around, who will have a higher place on such a list once he improves with the ball at his feet at a side of Liverpool’s quality.

8

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa & Argentina

Whilst some, including FIFA, may have Emiliano Martinez top on the list of the world’s best goalkeepers, he’ll have to settle for a lower place in our rankings.

The Argentinian’s place in the history books should never come into question. He proved to be one of the biggest difference-makers between glory and the ultimate heartbreak on the biggest stage for Lionel Messi when Argentina defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final.

Ask any of his international teammates – and perhaps the entirety of his home country – and Martinez may well be considered among the best in history, but outside of those international heroics, it would be harsh on others to consider the Aston Villa man far and away the best that European football has to offer, especially when considering the numbers.

Emiliano Martinez key stats (since 2023/24)
Saves per 90	2.56
Save percentage	65.9%
Clean sheets	9
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	38.5%
Emiliano Martinez stats via FBref

Emiliano Martinez key stats (since 2023/24)

Saves per 90

2.56

Save percentage

65.9%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

38.5%

Emiliano Martinez stats via FBref

ballon-dor-premier-league-palmer-martinez-rodri-odegaard

Every Premier League player at the 2024 Ballon d’Or – ranked

10 players were included in the top 30.

7

Unai Simon

Athletic Bilbao & Spain

Speaking of international heroics, Unai Simon more than played his part as Spain battled to victory at Euro 2024 in Berlin, eventually overcoming England in dramatic fashion late on.

Finishing second in the Yashin Trophy as a result, the Athletic Bilbao man kept a total of three clean sheets at the tournament – only second to France’s Mike Maignan.

Now battling for a place in Europe with Athletic Bilbao alongside fellow Spain star Nico Williams, Simon should be on the radar of several top clubs when the January transfer window arrives next summer.

He proved that he can perform on the biggest stage last summer and is only likely to prove it once again with a big move.

Unai Simon key stats (2023/24)
Saves per 90	2.54
Save percentage	73.8%
Clean sheets	16
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	32.4%
Unai Simon stats via FBref

Unai Simon key stats (2023/24)

Saves per 90

2.54

Save percentage

73.8%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

32.4%

Unai Simon stats via FBref

6

Jan Oblak

Atletico Madrid & Slovenia

Jan Oblak may not be at the peak of his powers as consistently now that he’s 31 years old, but he remains one of the world’s best and Diego Simeone’s undisputed No 1. When he decides to hang his gloves up, La Liga will be left with a sensational highlight reel of incredible saves. At his best, the Slovenian has been almost impenetrable at times in Madrid.

With a few years to go yet, there’s no doubt that Oblak will continue to produce the impossible when Atletico Madrid and Simeone need him most, having already kept seven clean sheets in La Liga by mid-November.

Jan Oblak key stats (since 2023/24)
Saves per 90	2.75
Save percentage	73.8%
Clean sheets	19
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	34.6%
Jan Oblak stats via FBref

Jan Oblak key stats (since 2023/24)

Saves per 90

2.75

Save percentage

73.8%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

34.6%

Jan Oblak stats via FBref

5

David Raya

Arsenal & Spain

Ahead of his Spanish counterpart Simon for once, David Raya’s recent rise has helped to form one of the Premier League’s most impressive backlines at Arsenal.

Behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, last season’s Golden Glove winner remains a crucial figure on and off the ball as a classic example of the modern goalkeeper that Mikel Arteta wanted ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.

Of course, it remains a mystery as to why Simon is often preferred to Raya on international duty, but credit deserves to go to both shot-stoppers for creating such competition.

At 29 years old, however, Raya should be desperate to move Simon aside in a similar fashion to how he dislodged Ramsdale at Arsenal in order to become the undisputed No 1 for Spain ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

David Raya key stats (since 2023/24)
Saves per 90	2.25
Save percentage	68.7%
Clean sheets	19
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	37.1%
David Raya stats via FBref

David Raya key stats (since 2023/24)

Saves per 90

2.25

Save percentage

68.7%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

37.1%

David Raya stats via FBref

4

Ederson

Manchester City & Brazil

Into the top four, this ranking could quite easily be Manchester City’s penalty order, which in many ways sums up just how unique Ederson is. The pure definition of a modern goalkeeper, the Citizens’ No 1 has the flair of a Brazilian forward and the passing range of an NFL quarterback, all whilst maintaining his shot-stopping standards.

The most composed player on the pitch even as several hearts skip a beat, Ederson is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers to ever step foot in the Premier League and arguably the best in Manchester City’s history with countless honours to his name.

Ederson key stats (since 2023/24)
Saves per 90	2
Save percentage	67.8%
Clean sheets	12
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	46.5%
Ederson stats via FBref

Ederson key stats (since 2023/24)

Saves per 90

Save percentage

67.8%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

46.5%

Ederson stats via FBref

3

Mike Maignan

Milan & France

Spearheading Milan’s return to the top of Italian football in the 2021/22 campaign before becoming France’s No 1 and winning the Golden Glove at Euro 2024, Maignan’s place among the world’s best goalkeepers is no longer a debate. In fact, it could even be argued that he should be higher on the list. For now, however, the Frenchman sits third here – and respectably behind some elite shot-stoppers.

He simply ticks every box for a modern goalkeeper and has shown that on the biggest stage. There’s not many sides in Europe’s top five leagues who wouldn’t take the 29-year-old as their No 1, including those at the very top.

Mike Maignan key stats (since 2023/24)
Saves per 90	2.67
Save percentage	70%
Clean sheets	14
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	40.3%
Mike Maignan stats via FBref

Mike Maignan key stats (since 2023/24)

Saves per 90

2.67

Save percentage

70%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

40.3%

Mike Maignan stats via FBref

2

Thibaut Courtois

Real Madrid & Belgium

Real-Madrid-keeper-Thibaut-Courtois-Chelsea

From his Atletico Madrid days to winning the Premier League at Chelsea and now starring at Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois has been around for the last decade and has probably never dipped outside the top 10 goalkeepers in world football. He’s simply been that consistent and that much of a standout.

On the big stage, he’s among the players that most clubs would pick between the sticks on the shot-stopping front. It’s no surprise that even Real Madrid, with all the stars that they have, are struggling in the Belgian’s recent absence as of late.

What summed up his quality more than ever last season, however, was how he slotted straight into the Champions League final on his return from a long-term injury and didn’t miss a beat.

Thibaut Courtois key stats (since 2022/23)
Saves per 90	2.96
Save percentage	77.1%
Clean sheets	16
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	37.7%
Thibaut Courtois stats via FBref

Thibaut Courtois key stats (since 2022/23)

Saves per 90

2.96

Save percentage

77.1%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

37.7%

Thibaut Courtois stats via FBref

1

Alisson

Liverpool & Brazil

Whilst Real Madrid were quick to suggest that Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win over Vinicius Junior was the most controversial moment of the ceremony, Alisson has quite the case for himself after failing to even make the rankings for the Yashin Trophy.

Top of our rankings nonetheless (in what is of course the ultimate consolation), the Liverpool star has arguably been the world’s best goalkeeper for a number of years.

One of the all-time Premier League greats, what makes Alisson stand out is how he simply does not perform for the cameras. The Brazilian excels at making even the most ferocious strikes seem routine, and perhaps those who decide the Yashin Trophy were simply looking for picture-perfect rather than efficient.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will ignore any such award and settle for a goalkeeper who has been at the centre of some of their most historic moments in recent memory.

Alisson key stats (since 2023/24)
Saves per 90	2.7
Save percentage	75.4%
Clean sheets	11
Passing accuracy (40+ yds)	31.8%
Alisson stats via FBref

Alisson key stats (since 2023/24)

Saves per 90

2.7

Save percentage

75.4%

Clean sheets

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

31.8%

Alisson stats via FBref

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November 16, 2024

10 Worst Referees in Football History (Ranked)

Key Takeaways

Referees are under scrutiny as VAR increases their impact on matches globally.
Following David Coote’s suspension, the worst referees ever have been ranked.
Notable referees like Urs Meier and Byron Moreno made the list due to poor performances and controversial decisions.

Referees are supposed to be impartial and unbiased. The best players in the world should do the talking by scoring stunning strikes and making wonderful last-ditch tackles, but – sometimes – the people in the middle accidentally get involved in the chaos.

Across the world, referees have started to be disliked by fans for their constant impact on the match. This has only increased since Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was introduced in the biggest competitions around the globe, with officials ‘re-referring’ matches as they look to be perfect.

David Coote was also suspended by the PGMOL following a video of the official appearing to criticise Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp — and, due to this, we have decided to outline the 10 worst referees in football history, some of whom have had a bigger impact than others. It’s important to remember that only well-known referees have been considered for this list. There are always going to be poor referees, especially further down the pyramids around the world, but they were rarely in the headlines. There’s always subjection with this as well, just like any controversial referee decision.

Ranking Factors

Time spent being a referee – Whether they had a long spell taking charge of major matches or not.
Controversial moments – The worst referees are always the one in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Level of competition – Some referees are still trusted to take control of significant competitions despite mistakes.

Worst Referees in Football History
Rank	Name	Nationality	Career
1.	Byron Moreno	Ecuador	1996-2003
2.	Urs Meier	Switzerland	1989-2004
3.	David Coote	England	2022-
4.	Trevor Kettle	England	2003-2022
5.	Janny Sikazwe	Zambia	2007-2022
6.	Ali Ben Nasser	Tunisia	1986
7.	Tom Henning Ovrebo	Norway	1992-2010
8.	Christina Pedersen	Norway	1997-
9.	Wolf-Dieter Ahlenfelder	Germany	1974-1988
10.	Bartosz Frankowski	Poland	2008-

Clattenburg and Webb are two of the best referees ever

Ranking the 10 Best Referees in Football History

Referees are not meant to be in the headlines, but these 10 were highly regarded for their world-class decision-making.

10 Bartosz Frankowski

To begin, while Bartosz Frankowski might not be a well-known name, he has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2014. However, he is on this list because he is currently banned until June 2025. Frankowski and Tomasz Musial were replaced as VAR officials before the Champions League qualifier between Rangers and Dynamo Kyiv on the 6th August 2024 after reports of “improper behaviour”.

They were allegedly drinking and were stopped by police with another man in the early hours having moved a road sign, with Frankowski later confirming details of the incident in an interview. Due to this, UEFA said they were banned for violating “basic rules of decent conduct” and for bringing the sport into disrepute. Never a normal day for UEFA.

9 Wolf-Dieter Ahlenfelder

Taking a trip down Memory Lane, Wolf-Dieter Ahlenfelder was a referee in the top two tiers of Germany, however, despite clearly thinking he had ‘made it’ to the top of the sport, he is remembered for one of the most chaotic – and embarrassing – moments for an official.

During a meeting between Werder Bremen and Hannover in 1975, he blew the whistle for halftime after just 32 minutes of action. The linesman intervened, but he still made it only as far as 43 minutes 30 seconds before deciding to head in for a breather. He later admitted to getting drunk on beer and schnapps before the game, saying: “We are men, we don’t drink Fanta.” Fair enough.

8 Christina Pedersen

Christina Pedersen is the only female referee on this list and is still involved in taking charge of matches at a lower level, but – sadly – she blew her major opportunity at international tournaments. During the 2012 Olympic semi-final between USA and Canada, The Canucks were leading 3-2, but with a little over 10 minutes on the clock, a series of unusual decisions seemed to go against them.

A controversial indirect free-kick and then a controversial penalty helped USA score a late equaliser and eventually win the game in extra time. Unsurprisingly, criticism of Pedersen quickly picked up, including from Canadian player Christine Sinclair. Pedersen never took charge of a major tournament again.

7 Tom Henning Ovrebo

Chelsea's Michael Ballack screams at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo

Taking charge of perhaps one of the most controversial moments in Champions League history, Tom Henning Ovrebo was always going to be included on this list. In the second leg of the 2009 semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona, he ignored four separate penalty appeals against the Spanish side.

While the Norwegian was a well-respected referee beforehand, he ruined it with his performance in West London. Chelsea fans were utterly furious as Andres Iniesta’s late strike knocked them out, but he did later admit he made a mistake a decade later. “It was not my best day really,” he told Marca. “Some days you are not at the level you should be. I can’t be proud of that performance.”

6 Ali Ben Nasser

Diego Maradona‘s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 World Cup is one of the most controversial moments in the competition’s history. While the legendary Argentine magician ran away celebrating, England were left furious with him and the referee — Ali Bin Nasser.

The Tunisian had a quiet career compared to most on this list and he has never been treated fondly by fans in England since. He blamed his assistant referee for missing the blatantly obvious handball, claiming they shared authority on decisions and therefore assumed his eyes had deceived him.

5 Janny Sikazwe

The African Cup of Nations always seems to produce controversial – and perhaps sometimes entertaining – moments. That was exactly the case in the 2021 edition of the tournament, with Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe featuring in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

He decided to twice blow his whistle for the final time before the clock had even reached 90 minutes. Calling for full-time in the 85th and 89th minute, players returned to the dressing room on the second occasion, despite there still being stoppage time to play. Players were ordered to return to complete the game, with Tunisia refusing to leave the dressing room. The result stood, though. He was reportedly suffering from heatstroke and dehydration, but it was still an embarrassing moment.

4 Trevor Kettle

Ask any fan of a football club in the EFL during the 2010s and they will all say the same thing — they despised Trevor Kettle. Perhaps it’s sad that one individual is so universally criticised by fans, but – looking back at his career following his retirement in 2022 – it’s easy to see why.

In his debut year in the Conference League, he brandished seven red cards in ten matches, and following his promotion to the EFL, he continued his reputation for being card-heavy and having too much control over matches. His most infamous decision came in March 2016, when he controversially denied Accrington Stanley victory against Wimbledon with a mistimed blow of the whistle.

With the game tied at 0-0 after 45 minutes played, Accrington were about to take the lead through Billy Kee, but the goal was chalked off when Kettle blew for half-time. “I’ve never seen anything like it happen in all my 46 years playing and managing,” Accrington manager John Coleman said after the full-time whistle.

“He blew as the ball was on its way into the net. You can’t account for that. Everyone in the ground is flabbergasted. Referees make mistakes because they’re only human and that’s what makes the game of football so special because you have talking points and arguments.”

mark clattenburg, mike dean, Michael Oliver

10 Best Referees in Premier League History [Ranked]

Premier League referees aren’t often fan favourites, but several have deserved recognition. We look at the 10 best in history.

3 David Coote

David Coote’s leaked video in which he criticised Klopp and his former club, Liverpool, has put his career on the line. Most agree that he has no way back to the Premier League, which places him on this list purely due to his stupidity to film something like that.

Coote has been a Premier League referee since 2018 and, since then, he has consistently clashed with one of the greatest managers of all time. His decision to say that the Reds had been “s***” before going on to refer to then-manager Klopp as a “c***” doesn’t look due to their history with one another. Most notably, the 42-year-old opted not to send off Jordan Pickford for his horror tackle on Virgil van Dijk in 2020.

2 Urs Meier

Meanwhile, Urs Meier, although never involved in any leaked videos, went through his fair share of controversy. Most commonly a referee in Switzerland, he came to the forefront at Euro 2004. Following a qualification match between Romania and Denmark, there was a petition to FIFA for his dismissal after a poor performance. Romania, who were knocked out, argued he should have ended the game more than a minute before.

Meanwhile, in the actual tournament, Meier put in a horror show when taking charge of England’s quarter-final against Portugal, seemingly giving many decisions in the hosts’ favour. They went on to beat The Three Lions on penalties and, after the match, Meier’s personal details were published by British tabloid newspapers and he received more than 16,000 abusive e-mails.

What happened to the referee who disallowed Sol Campbell’s goal vs Portugal?

Swiss referee Urs Meier reveals horrific experience following high-profile decision at Euro 2004

1 Byron Moreno

Finally, Byron Moreno has been ranked as the worst high-profile referee in football history. Ecuadorian official Moreno became public enemy No. one in Italy after a series of controversial decisions saw them knocked out of the 2002 World Cup by joint-hosts South Korea.

He awarded South Korea a soft penalty, showed Hwang Sun-hong yellow for a challenge that he later admitted deserved a red, overlooked an elbow in the face of Alessandro Del Piero inside the box and a boot on Paolo Maldini’s head, sent off Francesco Totti for diving when he should’ve had a penalty, and ruled out Damiano Tommasi’s would-be golden goal in extra time for offside. Moreno was also suspended for 20 matches back in Ecuador due to timekeeping errors; it’s fair to say he didn’t have the finest career.

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November 15, 2024

Tag: Ranked

Here Are The Top 4 Healthy Diets For 2025:

1. Mediterranean Diet: Say Goodbye To Processed Foods

2. DASH Diet For Healthy Blood Pressure

Tips To Substitute Salt:

3. Flexitarian Diet: Flexible Vegetarianism

4. MIND Diet For Healthy Brain Functioning

Key Takeaways

25 Biggest Football Stadiums in the World (Ranked)

10 Villa Park

42,918 seats

9 Stadium of Light

48,707 seats

8 St James’ Park

52,305 seats

Europe’s 50 Best Stadiums Have Been Ranked by Study

7 Etihad Stadium

53,400 seats

6 Emirates Stadium

60,704 seats

‘I Played Drunk vs Arsenal at Highbury – I Later Became a Man United Legend’

5 Anfield

61,276 seats

Why Liverpool Might be Unable to Expand Anfield Further

4 London Stadium

62,500 seats

3 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

62,850 seats

Complete History of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

2 Old Trafford

74,310 seats

Guide to Old Trafford Stadium: Capacity, How to Get There and More

1 Wembley Stadium

90,000 seats

Key Takeaways

Ranking Factors:

15 Thomas Müller

Bayern Munich (2008-Present)

14 Koke

Atletico Madrid (2009-Present)

13 Mark Noble

West Ham United (2004-2022)

12 Jamie Vardy

Leicester City (2012-Present)

11 Rogerio Ceni

Sao Paulo (1993-2015)

10 Paul McStay

Celtic (1981-1997)

9 Igor Akinfeev

CSKA Moscow (2003-Present)

8 Paolo Maldini

AC Milan (1984-2009)

7 Matt Le Tissier

Southampton (1986-2002)

6 Gianluigi Buffon

Juventus (2001-2018)

5 Steven Gerrard

Liverpool (1998-2015)

4 Marco Reus

Borussia Dortmund (2012-2024)

3 Alessandro Del Piero

Juventus (1993-2012)

2 Francesco Totti

Roma (1993-2017)

1 Alessandro Lucarelli

Parma (2008-2018)

10 Most ‘Selfish’ Players in Football History [Ranked]

Key Takeaways

Ranking Factors

EA Sports FC 25 Skill Moves and How to Perform (Complete Guide)

9 Maicon

Serie A and Brazil

8 Marek Hamsik

Serie A and Slovakia

7 Ramires

Premier League and Brazil

6 Ze Roberto

Bundesliga and Brazil

5 Eden Hazard

Premier League and Belgium

10

Villa Park

9

Stadium of Light

8

St James’ Park

7

Etihad Stadium

6

Emirates Stadium

5

Anfield

4

London Stadium

3

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

2

Old Trafford

1

Wembley Stadium