Top 10 Worst Football (Soccer) Divers

For the uninitiated, diving, also known as simulation, is an attempt by a player to gain an unfair advantage by falling to the ground and possibly feigning an injury, with the aim of deceiving the referee into thinking a foul has occurred. It's a controversial part of the sport that has sparked countless debates and a fair share of outrage.

Now, we can all agree that football is a beautiful game. It's a sport that captivates us with its breathtaking goals, nail-biting finishes, and moments of genius. However, every now and then, the beauty of the game gets marred by players who decide to take a tumble rather than play fair. These are the divers, the players who prefer the theatrics of a well-rehearsed fall to the thrill of an honest challenge.

So, who are the worst culprits of this unsporting behavior? That's the question we're asking you today. We're looking for the players who have a reputation for diving, those who have been consistently criticized for their theatrics on the pitch.
The Top Ten
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born February 5, 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and captains the Portugal national team.

Classless. He should act like the great player he is. He glorifies himself over the team. Enough with the ugly celebrations and the gorilla face after every goal.

Worst football player and diver ever. He and fellow Real players and fans think Barca is a cheat club, but truly no club and players are worse in cheating than Real Madrid.

Lots of players dive, but C. Ronaldo seems to be proud of it. It's irritating to watch and reflects poorly on his country.

Didier Drogba Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is a former Ivorian professional footballer who played as a striker and captained the Ivory Coast national team.

He most famously played for English club Chelsea and won the UEFA Champions League with them in 2012, scoring the equalizer in the final and the decisive... read more
Sergio Busquets Sergio Busquets Burgos (born July 16, 1988) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona, where he is the club captain.

Ronaldo pissed me off when he was in Manchester, but he has stopped his antics. However, Busquets just keeps on diving.

Remember that Clasico when he fell down and covered his face? After a while, he checked to see if everyone was looking! Worst diver ever.

By far the worst diver, makes Ronaldo look like an honest player. Busquets chose to play football. I think he would have done better as an actor or a professional diver.

Neymar Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (born February 5, 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Santos and the Brazil national team. He is also the captain of the national team... read more

By far the worst, especially with his status as a youth idol and marketing legend.

Worst in the world. How does he not top this list? He is truly classless.

Neymar clearly dives 4-5 times each match. He should at least be number 3 on this list.

Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is a former English professional footballer who played for and captained both Manchester United and the England national team. He remains Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer and was England's record goalscorer until 2023.
Luis Suárez Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz, born on January 24, 1987, is a Uruguayan professional footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Inter Miami CF, an American club competing in Major League Soccer (MLS)... read more
Ángel Di María Ángel Fabián Di María (born 14 February 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a right winger or attacking midfielder for Primeira Liga club Benfica... read more
Lionel Messi Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi was born on June 24, 1987. He is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for the American club, Inter Miami CF, in the MLS. Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. His birthplace is Rosario, Argentina.

What's this hype about Messi being a great player? He dives like any other player, so he too is just ordinary.

Fernando Torres Fernando José Torres Sanz (born 20 March 1984) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a striker. He is currently the manager of Atlético Madrid B. Due to his consistent goalscoring as a young player, Torres earned the nickname El Niño (The Kid), which remained with him throughout... read more
Arjen Robben Arjen Robben is a retired Dutch professional footballer who played for Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team. He won the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013 and was a runner-up in the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands.

Best diver in the world. But this is logical since half his country is underwater.

If it weren't for his diving in the World Cup, Mexico still had a chance to win!

He should be nominated for the best diver ever!

The Newcomers

? Mohamed Salah Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly (born June 15, 1992) is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Liverpool and captains the Egypt national team.
? Cody McDonald
The Contenders
Michael Ballack
Marco Materazzi
Gennaro Gattuso
Daniele De Rossi
Dani Alves Daniel Alves da Silva, commonly known as Dani Alves, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a right back for Spanish club Barcelona and the Brazil national team.
Filippo Inzaghi
Deco
Robbie Savage
Gareth Bale Gareth Frank Bale is a retired Welsh professional footballer who played as a winger for the English club Tottenham Hotspur, the Spanish club Real Madrid, and the Wales national team.

New to the diving world but quickly climbing the ranks. Will he be able to beat Ronaldo at the top?

Sergio Ramos Sergio Ramos García is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Madrid and the Spain national football team.
Ashley Young Ashley Simon Young is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team.

Without a doubt the worst diver out of anyone. He is SO BAD! How is Heskey here, though?

Rivaldo
Diego Costa Diego da Silva Costa, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for English club Chelsea and the Spain national team.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco

Slow crybaby who calls himself the best player in the world and didn't know who Pele was! A real jerk who barely knows how to read, smokes marijuana, and dives like a sloth.

Adebayo Akinfenwa
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