Unmasking the World Cup’s Most Notorious Soccer Playboys
The Double Lives of World Cup Soccer Stars
For most of the players preparing to represent their countries in Qatar, life appears picture-perfect. These athletes are not only household names with lucrative contracts, but many also have loving partners and families. Yet, for some, the allure of fame, wealth, and opportunity outside the home has proven too tempting, leading to high-profile scandals and public attention.
As anticipation builds for the World Cup, curiosity has shifted to which footballers are best known for their escapades off the pitch. Here’s a closer look at the players whose love lives make just as many headlines as their game-day performances.
Soccer’s Most Talked-About Off-Field Romantics
Leading the conversation is England’s dynamic midfielder, Phil Foden. His off-field activity is no secret, especially to his longtime partner, Rebecca Cooke. Foden’s reputation for multiple infidelities has often made tabloid headlines, most notably following an incident at a Corfu resort where he was removed after Cooke caught wind of illicit meetings he was arranging.
Next in line is Jack Grealish, another English football star. Grealish’s romantic entanglements have added tension to his long-term relationship with Sasha Attwood, with media coverage highlighting two major incidents of infidelity. However, recent reports suggest that Grealish has scaled back on these escapades following a stern warning from Attwood, particularly after gossip surrounding an alleged liaison with actress Emily Atack.
Trailing the English duo are several football icons who have each been linked to a single cheating episode. This group features international superstars such as Neymar Jr., Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, and Liverpool’s powerful defender Virgil van Dijk.
Which National Teams Feature the Most Controversial Players?
When it comes to notorious antics, England dominates the leaderboard, with Foden, Grealish, Stones, and Sterling together tallying seven separate infidelity scandals. This figure surpasses the number of goals the quartet achieved at Euro 2020, giving England a clear lead in off-field notoriety.
Mexico follows in second, with four players linked to off-pitch affairs. This is not unexpected, considering that ahead of the last World Cup, an eye-catching event involved eight Mexican team members in a massive party scandal with numerous women.
France, Portugal, Brazil, and Belgium all tie for third, each having two players involved in such controversies. On the opposite end, teams like Croatia and Argentina stand out for their lack of off-field scandals-perhaps a sign that focus and discipline away from the pitch could result in better performance during the tournament.
What Impact Could These Scandals Have on England’s World Cup Quest?
With England’s team leading in off-field controversy, all eyes are on whether these distractions might affect their World Cup performance. Supporters of rival teams may be hoping the whirlwind of personal drama takes its toll on the stadium, while English fans are undoubtedly wishing the players’ energetic lifestyles transfer into their play.
As the tournament kicks off, only time will tell whether these players’ adventures away from football will be a boost or a burden for their nations on the world stage.
Lead image: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
