Football is a game of skill, tactics, and sheer determination. But for some players, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about rituals, habits, and downright bizarre superstitions. From wearing the same shin pads for a decade to urinating on the pitch before penalties (yes, really), these footballers have taken their quirks to legendary levels. Buckle up as we explore some of the weirdest player superstitions in football history!
1. Pelé – The Jersey Retrieval Mission
Arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Pelé once hit a rough patch and, naturally, assumed it had nothing to do with form but everything to do with a missing jersey. He believed that after giving away a beloved match shirt, he lost his magic touch. A frantic mission to recover it ensued. The good news? The shirt was ‘found’ (or so he was told), and Pelé promptly regained his form. Coincidence? We think not!
2. Kolo Touré – The King of Late Entrances
Kolo Touré was a rock in defense, but his most rock-solid belief? He had to be the last player to enter the pitch. This superstition once caused absolute chaos when, during a
Champions League game for Arsenal in 2009, he refused to re-enter the pitch before William Gallas who was receiving treatment in the dressing room. The delay resulted in a yellow card for him. Dedication or disaster? You decide.
3. John Terry – The Shin Pads of Destiny
Chelsea legend John Terry was never one to mess with fate. His chosen superstition? Wearing the same shin pads for TEN seasons. That’s a decade of sweat, dirt, and possibly some lucky charms in between. While it’s unclear if he ever washed them (let’s hope he did), it’s undeniable that Terry’s career was nothing short of successful. Perhaps it was all thanks to those sacred shin pads.
4. Laurent Blanc and Fabien Barthez – The Bald-Head Kiss of Luck
France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad had a unique tradition: before every match, captain Laurent Blanc planted a good-luck kiss on goalkeeper Fabien Barthez’s shiny bald head. It might have looked odd, but with France lifting the trophy that year, the power of the bald head kiss was officially confirmed. Who needs pre-match pep talks when you have a lucky forehead?
5. Sergio Goycochea – The Pre-Penalty Pitch Ritual
If you think goalkeepers have nerves of steel, you haven’t met Sergio Goycochea. The Argentine shot-stopper had one of the most, let’s say, “unconventional” rituals—he urinated on the pitch before every penalty shootout. As unhygienic as it sounds, the method was wildly effective, especially in the 1990
World Cup. Whatever works, right?
6. Emiliano Martínez – The Lucky Toy Army
Argentina’s modern-day penalty hero, Emiliano Martínez, has a softer approach to superstition. Before every game, he carries small toy animals gifted to him by his children. This touching ritual helps him stay grounded and motivated, proving that even tough goalkeepers have a soft side. Maybe his penalty-saving heroics at the 2022 World Cup weren’t just skill but also the power of plushies.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo – The Right Foot First Rule
A machine on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo’s success is partly credited to his strict routines. One of his quirkiest? He always steps onto the pitch with his right foot first. Given that he’s one of the greatest players in history, perhaps we should all start leading with our right foot in life.
8. Lionel Messi – The Deep Breathing Free-Kick Ritual
When Messi stands over a free-kick, there’s always a sense of inevitability. That’s partly thanks to his pre-kick routine—deep breaths, measured steps, and an intense stare. Some call it superstition; others call it sheer focus. Either way, if it results in a top-corner masterpiece, who are we to question it?
9. Gareth Bale – The Holy Socks
Ever noticed those strange holes in Gareth Bale’s socks? No, he’s not just reckless with scissors—he cuts them himself to relieve pressure on his calf muscles and help prevent injuries. Whether or not there’s solid science behind it, the trick seemed to work for him over the years. Now, holey socks have become a trending fashion in football!
10. Jamie Vardy – The Pre-Match Party Drink
Leicester City’s goal machine, Jamie Vardy, has a matchday ritual that screams ‘Sunday League legend’—half a bottle of port the night before a game, followed by multiple cans of Red Bull on match day. Whether it’s advisable or not, his relentless energy and goal-scoring exploits prove that sometimes, football diets don’t have to make sense.
Want to test your own lucky charms? Sign up at
iLOTBET and see if your own rituals can bring you winning results!
Click here to read full news.. 
