Paolo Di Canio's salute to Italian fascism was a news making act and caught the ire of many who believe that politics & sport shouldn't mix. However you feel about that mix, there is no doubt that controversies add spice to a sometimes boring footballing landscape. Its what makes fans either hate or love a particular person or club. We at Mad About Fútbol have pondered who were the most controversial footballers in history and have come up with the Top 5 Most Controversial Footballers. Beginning with:

#5 = José Luis Félix Chilavert González

The former Paraguayan captain may be the most famous Paraguayan footballer of all time. The keeper was a free kick & PK specialist and is arguably the greatest goal scoring keeper in history. He was a fiery leader who once spit on Brazil defender Roberto Carlos and fought with Colombian forward Faustino Asprilla. Chilavert is football's Charles Barkley. He is outspoken about football and life, has gained a lot of weight after his playing days, and has become the most honest and frank pundit in the game today.

#4 = Manuel Francisco dos Santos

The man better known as Mané Garrincha was arguably Brazil's most loved footballer ever and was popularly known as Alegria do Povo, The Joy of The People. He is generally known as the best Brazilian player ever behind Pelé. After his football career, his footballing prowess was overshadowed by his off the field demons. Garrincha battled alcoholism his whole adult life. It was the cause of a tragic accident that cost the life of his mother-in-law in 1969. He was a ladies' man having allegedly fathered 15 children and died in 1983 with financial troubles. A great player whose life ended sadly.

#3 = Joseph Anthony Barton

The midfielder from Liverpool, England needs some serious anger management. He currently plays for Newcastle in England and might be the only player in the top 2 levels of English football who has served time. Barton served 77 days in prison in 2008 for common assault and affray in punishment for an incident outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool. He assaulted teammates twice while at Manchester City, one incident involved putting out a cigar in a guy's eye. Joey needs weed and a woman.

#2 = Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona

Known still by Manchester United fans as "King Eric," Cantona was notoriously short-tempered. Throughout his playing career Cantona lashed out at teammates, opponents, coaches, and referees. The talented French forward has done everything from punch teammates to dangerously tackle opponents to publicly trash talk coaches to throwing balls at referees.


Who could forget the kung fu kick against a Crystal Palace fan who had teased him after he was red carded in a 1995 match. Cantona retired young at age 30 and has become an actor and a beach soccer coach while remaining outspoken about Manchester United, football, and life.

#1 = Diego Armando Maradona

The Argentine dynamo is the most polarizing figure in the history of football and is unquestionably on the Top 10 list of most controversial figures in all of sports . Maradona inspires such devotion that a religion has been spawned in his honor. The stocky #10 is the other protagonist in the debate of who is the greatest footballer of all time.


His "Hand Of God" goal is the most controversial goal in football history and his defense weaving goal against England in that same game is the greatest goal in football history. Most of Maradona's problems are drug related. He was kicked out of the 1994 World Cup for doping and served a 15-month ban after testing positive for cocaine while at Napoli.

Since the beginning of the new millennium, Maradona has had to deal with issues involving an illegitimate son and health issues due to drug abuse. Politically he has become friendly with men that the US government would classify as "Non-friendly": Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez & Cuban President Fidel Castro. El Pibe de Oro has also embraced the ideals of Che Guevara. Maradona is as controversial off the field as he was on the field during his playing days. Diego Armando Maradona is the unquestioned #1 most controversial footballer ever.