Bad Boys For Life: Soccer's most controversial stars

Some soccer players cannot stay away from the headlines – they seem to attract the most attention whether they mean to or not.

Some of these players are adored by some fans but are often hated by rival supporters.

Here are the ten most controversial soccer stars in the history of the game!

A man known for all sorts of controversial things on and off the pitch is Mario Balotelli. The former Manchester City set fireworks off out of his bathroom, and his former manager at Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho, labeled him as 'unmanageable.'

This goalkeeper is known for his scorpion kick save. Rene Higuita had a troubled soccer career, having ties with Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Higuita was jailed in 1994 for profiting off a kidnapping and tested positive for cocaine in the later years of his career.

Joey Barton created quite a reputation for being a hothead during his career. He was imprisoned for six months after a fight in Liverpool, he was banned for 12 matches for random attacks on opposition players, and he put a cigar out in a youth player's eye.

Former Manchester United player Erik Cantona is one the best signings in United history. However, a karate kick toward a fan in a game against Crystal Palace resulted in him being banned for eight months.

Former Real Madrid defender Pepe was never short of heated moments on the pitch, earning himself a reputation for being one of the most feared defenders in history. An example is back in 2009 when he stamped and kicked a Getafe player, resulting in a ban.

In 2022, the defender was close to facing a two-year ban due to accusations of him hiding a bullet after causing a 40-man fight in a game for Porto.

Former England and Chelsea defender John Terry had a career full of controversial incidents on and off the pitch.

Terry was heard mocking Americans at Heathrow airport after 9/11, and he had an affair with teammate Wayne Bridge's wife.

The former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had a reputation as a hard man in his soccer career, known for his constant brawls with former Arsenal player Patrick Viera.

In April 2001, Keane took revenge on Manchester City player Alfie Haaland. The father of son Erling injured Keane in a previous game, so the United player viciously attempted to hurt Haaland. He was banned for three games and then suspended for a further five, admitting it was on purpose.

The former Italian striker had quite the career in England. However, his controversial and hot-tempered streaks overshadowed his brilliance on the pitch.

Di Canio was banned for 11 matches after pushing a referee when he was sent off for Sheffield Wednesday in 1998. When he returned to Italy to play for Lazio, he created a bond with the team's ultras and provoked controversy, doing a fascist salute.

The Uruguayan Luis Suarez has had his fair share of controversy during his career, being widely known for doing some of the most child-like things on a soccer pitch.

From a handball on the line at the World Cup to biting Branislav Ivanovic and racially abusing Patrice Evra, Suarez will go down as one of the most controversial soccer players in history.

Diego Maradona is seen by many as the greatest soccer player ever and the most controversial soccer player to ever live.

He will mostly be remembered for his 'Hand of God' goal, which saw him score a goal with his hand, knocking England out of the World Cup. Despite that, he tested positive for drugs, had a drug addiction, and was involved in a mass brawl, playing for Barcelona.