5 "cursed" footballers
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.”
-Bill Shankly
Former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly’s quote is one that resonates within football to this day and it still rings true. It is a sport that is consistently high-stakes and results are imperative.
For all the exhilaration, joy and thrills football can offer, it can be a highly religious sport at times. Considering that sometimes luck does play a tremendous part deciding the outcome of football games, maybe there is some base to these practices.
However, here we take a look at 5 footballers who seem to always be on the short end of the stick.
Though in many cases it might be due to sheer coincidence or terrible luck these players have found their way onto this list for being “cursed” in one way or the other.
#1 Igor Akinfeev
The CSKA shot-stopper was once one of the most highly rated young goalkeepers on the planet with the likes of Manchester United keeping a constant tab on him.
Though a consistent performer in the league, lady luck seems to have all but abandoned him in European competitions. The Russian has an unwanted record of failing to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League for 40 consecutive games.
This October, his fortunes seem to have finally looked to take a turn for the better with Lacina Traore’s goal putting them 1-0 up against AS Monaco. Akinfeev made several excellent saves to preserve CSKA’s advantage before Bernardo’s goal just 3 minutes from time helped Monaco draw the game.
Akinfeev was understandably displeased, and it looks like he won’t be breaking his duck anytime soon.