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. He has collected five prestigious Ballon d'Or awards and countless major trophies over his storied career... read more

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.
Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets Burgos (born July 16, 1988) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He spent 14 years at FC Barcelona, where he served as club captain from 2021 to 2023 and won 32 trophies, including multiple La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles. In June... read more

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.
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 the Portuguese club Benfica.
Di María is known for his dribbling ability, playmaking, rapid pace, and agility. He has had a distinguished career with several... read more
Dani Alves

Daniel Alves da Silva, commonly known as Dani Alves, is a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right back. He is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs in the history of the sport. Alves played for major clubs including Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and UNAM... read more
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 penalty... read more
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).
Suárez retired from international football in September 2024, concluding his tenure as Uruguay's... read more
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 Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team.
He is the all-time top goalscorer for the Brazil 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. Following his illustrious playing career, he transitioned... read more
Daniele De Rossi
Fernando Torres

Fernando Jose Torres Sanz (born 20 March 1984) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a striker. He's currently the manager of Atletico Madrid B. Due to his consistent goalscoring as a young player, Torres earned the nickname El Nino (The Kid), which remained with him throughout... read more

The Newcomers

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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. Known for his speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring abilities, Salah has won multiple Premier League Golden Boots... read more
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Cody McDonald

The Contenders

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. Known for his trademark move of cutting inside from... read more

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!
Oscar
Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos García is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Liga MX club Monterrey. He previously had a long and successful career with Real Madrid, where he won numerous domestic and international titles. Ramos also represented the Spain national football team from 2005 to... read more
Marco Materazzi
Thomas Muller

Thomas Müller is a German professional footballer who plays for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. Known for his versatility and intelligent play, Müller has won multiple Bundesliga titles and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He holds the record for most assists in Bundesliga history.
Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi, born June 24, 1987, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles. He... read more

What's this hype about Messi being a great player? He dives like any other player, so he too is just ordinary.
Michael Ballack
Gennaro Gattuso
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. He captured a staggering five UEFA Champions League titles during his historic tenure in Spain. The explosive forward... read more

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

Ashley Simon Young (born July 9, 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger. He previously played for several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Everton. He has also represented the England national team in international competitions.

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

Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira, widely known as Rivaldo, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer. He was part of the Brazil national team that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup and received the Ballon d'Or in 1999. Rivaldo was known for his powerful left foot, technique, and ability to score from long... read more
Diego Costa

Diego da Silva Costa (born October 7, 1988) is a Brazilian-born Spanish professional football striker. He most recently played for Brazilian club Grêmio before leaving the team in late 2024. He was capped 24 times by the Spain national team between 2014 and 2018, scoring 10 goals.