Footballers and their superstitions: From choice of underpants to best foot forward
Authored By Wion Web Desk
Published: Jun 20, 2018, 22:07 IST | Updated: Jun 20, 2018, 22:07 IST
Some players believe World Cup success is earned through exercise, diet and endless practice drills - others are convinced it's a matter of wearing lucky underwear.
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Marcelo - Brazil
Brazil defender Marcelo always runs onto the pitch right foot first.
The habit is so ingrained that during training in Rostov-on-Don he left the pitch and re-entered after realising he had accidentally led with his left foot.
"Everybody likes to enter with the right foot, right? I'm no different," he laughed when quizzed by reporters.
The habit is so ingrained that during training in Rostov-on-Don he left the pitch and re-entered after realising he had accidentally led with his left foot.
"Everybody likes to enter with the right foot, right? I'm no different," he laughed when quizzed by reporters.
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Phil Jones - England
Phil Jones admitted that he has some silly sock superstition. If the fixtures list his side on the left side, which means they will play at home and if it's left, then he will put his right sock on first.
Also, he does not like stepping on white lines.
Also, he does not like stepping on white lines.
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Dele Alli - England
England's Dele Alli is using the same shin guards he has worn since childhood when he plays in Russia, hoping they bring the good fortune that has long eluded the Three Lions at international tournaments.
"I've had the same shinpads since I was 11. They are battered (but) I am very superstitious," the Tottenham midfielder told Fifa.com.
"I've had the same shinpads since I was 11. They are battered (but) I am very superstitious," the Tottenham midfielder told Fifa.com.
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Julian Draxler - Germany
Julian Draxler gives himself a spritz of scent before a big match.
"Sometimes my teammates ask me if I'm not right in the head," the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder said.
"Every player has a ritual before a match and I usually hold my bag in my locker and I throw on two or three sprays of perfume. It gives me a feeling of happiness."
"Sometimes my teammates ask me if I'm not right in the head," the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder said.
"Every player has a ritual before a match and I usually hold my bag in my locker and I throw on two or three sprays of perfume. It gives me a feeling of happiness."
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Mario Gomez - Germany
German striker Mario Gomez's habit of only using the far-left urinal to relieve himself before a match.
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Rene Higuita - Colombia
Colombian keeper Rene Higuita's insistence on wearing blue underpants.
Sports psychologist Dan Abrahams said, "Logically, these kinds of rituals aren't linked to performance"
"However, if a player creates the perception that they are, then the action can become a hinge factor for how a player feels," told the specialist to AFP, who works with Premier League club Bournemouth.
Sports psychologist Dan Abrahams said, "Logically, these kinds of rituals aren't linked to performance"
"However, if a player creates the perception that they are, then the action can become a hinge factor for how a player feels," told the specialist to AFP, who works with Premier League club Bournemouth.
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