The game we all know and love is full of bewildering facts that may have escaped your attention. Now, you can be forgiven for not knowing about this particular set of truths, but it’s never too late to learn! In this article, prepare to have your mind blown with football facts you probably never knew existed.
Check out these absolute crackers!
Raúl Gonzalez Played for Atletico Madrid
Kicking off with a big one! Real Madrid legend and former all-time top goalscorer Raúl used to play for bitter rivals Atletico Madrid. The skillful forward was undoubtedly a fan favourite, and his face would be etched onto a Mount Rushmore of ex-players should one be erected. But something that may have slipped your notice is the fact he began his career at crosstown nemesis Atleti.Now, granted, he only played for their youth team and didn’t actually make a senior appearance for them. But picturing Raúl donning the red and white of Atleti is something that just doesn’t seem right.
Mario Balotelli’s Birth Name Wasn’t Mario Balotelli
We all know Balotelli as the fiery, enigmatic footballer who played up front for Italy. But did you know he was born to Ghanian parents and his surname wasn’t always Balotelli? His biological parents’ names are Thomas Barwuah and Rose Barwuah.
Thomas Barwuah and Rose Barwuah, originally from Ghana, faced challenging circumstances in Italy. Struggling with economic hardships, they made the difficult decision to give up their son Mario for adoption when he was just two years old. Mario was adopted by Francesco and Silvia Balotelli, an Italian couple living in Brescia.
Balotelli rarely talks about his biological parents, or his private life for that matter. But both him and his adoptive parents deserve huge respect for the success he became. Whether you love him or hate him, his story is a beautiful example of selflessness and harmony.
Steven Gerrard Almost Had His Toe Amputated at 9 Years Old
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s life and career could’ve been SO much different.
Young Stevie was having a blast playing football with his pals when the ball got stuck in a hedge. Determined to rescue it, Gerrard took a swing at kicking it out, but he accidentally impaled his toe into a pitch fork. Ouch.
When Stevie went to see a doctor, it was inferred that he might need to amputate his big toe because of a tetanus scare. But the good folks at Liverpool FC had a better plan – they decided to heal it with a different kind of treatment.
Fortunately, the treatment was a success, and Gerrard was able to continue his journey as a footie sensation, climbing up the ranks at Liverpool. Don’t you just love a happy ending?
Algeria Rejected Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. His touch, his vision, his flair – he was simply breathtaking to watch. As well as picking up several individual honours, including a balon D’or, Zizou was also a World Cup winner with France.
But his international career may not have been quite so triumphant had he represented the county of his parents’ birth. Back in the 90’s, former Algeria head coach Abdelhamid Kermali and his coaching staff once infamously deemed Zidane to be too slow to play for the national team. Yep.
Whether Zidane would’ve chosen Algeria over France is another discussion, but to dismiss a player of his calibre without giving him a chance is quite frankly mind boggling.
Jose Mourinho Went 9 Years Without Losing A Home Game
What in the Football Manager? This stat seems too farfetched to be true but we can assure you it isn’t. The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ certainly backed up his talk with a monumental unbeaten run at home.
Managing the likes of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, no opposition team was able to get the better of him on home soil for an incredible nine years. We’re unlikely to ever see another run like this, so it’s important to give Mourinho his flowers. Let’s all collectively tilt our hats to a manager who has provided us with so many box office worthy moments.
