Five of the Premier League's most colorful characters

Footballers are great role-models in the world today. They are looked upon as style icons, moral idols and even sources of inspiration, many-a-times. But today, we are looking at the five most Colorful Characters in the English Premier League in the past couple of seasons.

Gary Neville (Manchester United FC)

Starting off with an absolute legend among the United faithful, Gary Neville. His passion for the game, and Manchester United specifically makes him a hot topic of jiving and joking among the opposition fans. It is also said that very few fans except the Red Devils actually like him. An accomplished and successful Right Back for both Club and Country, Neville is often criticized by rivals due to his pro-Man Utd lifestyle(but I hear no Utd fans protesting). In January 2006, his celebration in front of the visiting Liverpool fans at Old Trafford, saw him run from the half-way line towards the opposing fans to celebrate the 90th minute injury-time winning headed goal by Rio Ferdinand. His actions were blasted by Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, sections of the media and police who blamed him for disturbances between fans after the game. He was subsequently charged with improper conduct by the English Football Association.
Nevertheless, Gary remains an absolute cult legend in the Red side of Manchester, yet his hate-relationship with the rival fans has died down after a series of very mature and thoughtful comments as a pundit for sky in recent weeks.
His celebration against Liverpool can be seen here.

Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal FC)

This lad needs no introduction. In 2007, Nicklas told the Daily Mail that he could take the world on in everything.Tennis, football, badminton, EVERYTHING. In 2009, he said “I had three aims this year – to get into the Arsenal team, qualify for the World Cup and to be (Danish)Player of the Year. I have achieved them all. I want to be top scorer in the Premier League, top scorer at the World Cup and, within five years, I want to be among the best strikers in the world.”. Comments like these (backed up by indifferent performance in an Arsenal shirt) made him the center of many jokes, but it didn’t faze the Danish Striker. Bendtner later underwent a psychiatric test designed to test a player’s self-confidence, by Jaques Crevoisier. ”On a scale up to 9, Bendtner got 10!”, said Crevoisier. “We have never seen that before. Pat Rice was sitting next to me and couldn’t stop laughing. When Bendtner misses a chance, he is always genuinely convinced that it wasn’t his fault.” That just about does it. Even some Arsenal Faithful find the lad a tad bit overconfident and irritating. That said, he’s still young, and has lots of time to develop into a world class player.

El hadji Diouf (Blackburn Rovers)

Another volatile character who needs no introduction, really. Diouf had been a troublemaker since his days in France. Even during the start of his early Premier League career, Diouf was involved in several incidents where he spat at officials and opposition players. One would remember him getting into several scuffles with fans over the course of his career and being reprimanded for it as well. From his style sense, to his dyed hairdos, El Hadji was a colorful character in more than one ways. You would either expect a completely bland, or a shocking version of him to turn up during event on and off the field. Either way, there was not one boring moment when Diouf was around.
Last seen, Diouf was turned into an internet “meme” after he took a tumble in Ranger colors.

Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)

Oh My! Even though Balotelli’s the newest player in the premier league in this list, he doesn’t need an introduction. What hasn’t he done? From breaking into a women’s prison, to calling his biological parents “glory hunters”, to saying that he doesn’t know who Jack Wilshere is; Balotelli has been the king of controversies since he came to England. And that’s not all. Even before he came to the BPL, he has had many spats with his manager at Inter (A certain Mourinho) and even paraded with an AC Milan Jersey. After coming to Man City, he has already thrown darts at Academy players, had numerous brawls with his team mates, and even managed to save a kid from bullying. And right now, Mario remains one of the most talked about players in the League because of his antics off the field, even though on it, he is on the most talented youngsters out there today.
Here, we can see Super Mario battle against a monstrous bib. And lose.

David Luiz (Chelsea FC)

Another new kid in the Premier League, David Luiz has already attained cult hero status among the Stamford Bridge faithful due to his funky locks and happy-go-lucky attitude (aided by solid performances at the heart of the Chelsea Fc defence). He has always been a prankster since his Benfica days, and the habit has stayed with him, even after moving to the English capital. He has already played pranks on the likes of his former team mates Angel Di Maria, and continues doing to with various reporters and team-mates in England. Although Luiz has a lot to learn on the field, and would do wonders with a smidgen of composure, his natural ability makes him a player to look out for. Many tip him to be the next Leader of Chelsea, but only time will tell. Right now though, he is one of the funniest characters in the league.
Here, we see Luiz in an interview with Torres and Lampard. He doesn’t understand much English, but continues to nod his head like he understands every word. Hilarious.

So those were the five most colorful personalities in the league in the last couple of seasons for me.
Special mentions go to Ian Holloway, Carlo Ancelotti’s eyebrow and Arsene Wenger.
If you want to mention more, feel free to do so in the comments section below.