12 of the worst, best, and most comical dives in history along with those responsible named and shamed.
Diving is something we try to stamp out of football wherever possible, when a decision goes against your team because of a dive it is one of the most painful and anger inducing moments in the game. But looking back now some of histories dives have been downright comical.
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Here are 12 of the worst divers in the world, and videos their dives:
12) Jurgen Klinsmann – Germany
The original diver, Klinsmann was accused of simulation to get Argentina’s Pedro Monzon sent off in the 1990 World Cup Final in Italy.
11) Ashley Young – Manchester United
It is not so much about the seriousness or the acrobatics of Ashley Young’s dives, but more the frequency at which he does so.
10) Norbert Meier – Duisberg
With play already stopped, this is arguably one of the most ridiculous dives on the list. Meier initiating contact before going down like he had been shot.
9) Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich
Another player that simulates with such regularity that the Dutchman has arrived at a point where the moment he goes down he is assumed to have dived.
8) Bryan Carrasco – Chile
Rivalling Meier’s dive for most ridiculous on the list, Carrasco is seen here grabbing the arm of Ecuador’s Edson Montano and proceeding to smack himself in the face with it. What is worse is that the defender earned a free kick for his trickery.
7) Paul Alcock – Referee
Paulo Di Canio was a famous hot head, and in a match against Arsenal in 1998 the Sheffield Wednesday man shoved referee Paul Alcock to show his displeasure at being awarded a red card.
Alcock comically stumbled around before hitting the deck, not necessarily a dive, but funny none the less.
6) Rivaldo – Brazil
How players can give acting performances like this when they know full well they are going to be broadcasted on television around the world is bizarre.
Clutching his face after Hakan Unsal kicked a ball into his leg, Rivaldo got the Turk sent off for this.
5) Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
Arguably the greatest player on the planet right now, Ronaldo is not without his faults; diving being a rather unfortunate one.
In a Champions League clash against AC Milan the Real Madrid superstar gave a real performance after Ignazio Abate brushed a hand across his face.
4) Weligton Oliviera – Malaga
In this clip Malaga player Weligton dives twice in a matter of seconds, first going down theatrically under a nothing challenge, and then initiating contact with his opponent before hitting the deck again.
3) Didier Drogba – Chelsea
Arguably one of the worst divers of all time, made worse by the fact that he was one of the strongest and most physical players around, but regularly went down under the slightest contact.
2) Morten Gamst Pederson – Blackburn Rovers
The ghost tackle from Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna. Pederson bursts into the box, and then mysteriously goes to ground. He looks to the referee for a penalty, but with the Arsenal man several feet behind him when he went down he was never really going to get his way.
1) Arturo Vidal – Juventus
This one was not so much a dive, Vidal going to ground after completely mishitting his shot and taking a chunk out of the turf instead. His reaction after going down however, appealing for a penalty and looking outraged at not getting the decision is just laughable.