Professional footballers who don't like playing football

[shaunsrobot]

Not me.

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

Some big names on this list tbf

12 famous players who don’t really like football following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s admission

Marc-Andre ter Stegen isn't the only famous player who doesn't really love football

www.givemesport.com

 

[Stephen230]

I don't think it's just football.

Look at Ronnie O'Sullivan - fantastically gifted as a snooker player, but really doesn't give a shit about the game.

But, earned a lot of money along the way

I’m not sure I agree with that. I think Ronnie cares deeply about the game. He just gets pissed off about the way it’s ran sometimes.

 

[Dirty Harry]

When i was playing under-16s & under 18s we won everything we could possibly win in Wales, i was told scouts were watching me etc
We then we went on a tour to Manchester, stayed at the University ,we won 3 out of the 4 games but then played our final game, cant remember who they were but got told a few of them trained with City or United.....we lost but i can still remember their striker being on another planet, i couldnt get near him, this was around 1984.
I went home, played the final two matches of the season & then hung up my boots, never played again. After seeing that kid i knew i just wasnt good enough but the real reason i stopped playing was that id enjoyed pissing about with my mates up to that season where i was asked to join one of the top sides in Wales at the time, i won every trophy going but weirdly i didnt enjoy it half as much as getting beat most games but having a laugh with my mates.
Bet there are loads on here with similar stories, sometimes people just want it to be a game & nothing more serious than that.

Think that carries over to sport in general tbh mate, many moons ago I had a, wouldn’t call him a mate, and wouldn’t call him an acquaintance either, somewhere in between, but he was brilliant at snooker, even won the old ‘Pink Final’ snooker competition back in the day too.

Eventually he signed pro and was in the same stable as John Virgo (said he was a twat) ‘The Silver Fox’ David Taylor (said he was sound) and John Parrot (said he was a really top lad), his day though, was spent in a room in a big house playing snooker all day, he said everything he did, every shot, had to be studied and was constantly under the microscope, he didn’t last too long and in the end just told them “fuck it, I’m off to Johnny’s to play snooker with my mates and actually start to enjoy the game again”, and off he popped, I can imagine sport is littered with those types of stories, btw, still have him to thank for the two trophies I won in the only two competitions I ever entered (cheers Steve ;-) ).

 

[Pubteam Lomas]

Think that carries over to sport in general tbh

Yeah know a lad who's a brilliant cricketer. Was at Lancs but says how it is rather than blowing smoke up peoples arses.
That's why he WAS at Lancs and isn't now.
Still plays but he seems to enjoy it and hasn't got a coach trying to change him or his game.

It's funny cos I think Sane's someone who doesn't love the game because he has to play to a managers instruction.
He just wants to play, take people on and create chances.
Honestly, I thought he had the potential to be a Balon D'or winner when we signed him but I don't think he has the desire to be one.

 

[threespires]

Some big names on this list tbf

12 famous players who don’t really like football following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s admission

Marc-Andre ter Stegen isn't the only famous player who doesn't really love football

www.givemesport.com

Interesting distinction Tevez makes in this article about loving playing with the ball at his feet versus watching. Wonder where his managerial career will fit with this.

I suppose with the differential between what you can earn these days as a footballer vs other jobs, there is a huge material incentive to knuckle down and progress even if you don't particularly love the game. As others have said you get the impression with Raheem Sterling ithat it was as much about changing his and his family's circumstances as it was anything to do with the game. Which is fair enough.

 

[West Yorks Owl]

Robin Friday

 

[Pell]

Ryan Giggs, he preferred poetry and taking care of his sister in law to playing football for Wales.

 

[WestGorton]

Sure there are many. Also most are not particularly supported/affiliated to.one team as now in academies from so young. Foden is the real deal though.

 

[stonerblue]

Alan Hansen