Undoubtedly the most-watched sport across the globe, there are some strange facts about football that are unknown to some fans in the year 2022.
In this article, Koboinfo will be taking football loving fans on these facts that will come as a huge shock to those who are not familiar with it.
Without any further delay, let’s take a look at the strange facts about football that are yet to be revealed to some fans and lovers of the beautiful game.
Strange Facts About Football You Don’t Know Existed In 2022
1. Neymar has missed as many games as he has played for PSG.
When Paris Saint-Germain broke the transfer record to sign Neymar from Barcelona he was tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.
However, as of 2022, the Brazilian is yet to show signs that indicates he will the prestigious award anytime soon. Neymar’s adventure at Paris Saint-Germain has been mixed with consistent injury problems.
Neymar who walks home with cool cash every week has missed as much as more games that he has played for the French Ligue 1 champion.
2. Zlatan once stole his coach’s bike
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still playing at the age of 40 and he has not shown any signs that looks like he’s going into retirement any time soon.
The Sweden international has shown on various occasions that he’s a tough guy on and off the pitch.
In his autobiographical, Zlatan openly admits to stealing a number of bikes.
However, things took a shocking twist when he stole a bike which unbeknown to him, belonged to the assistant youth coach at his club, Malmo FF.
Zlatan returned the bike as soon as he discovered who the owner of the bike was and confessed to Malmo FF coach,
3. Fernado Torres was once a goalkeeper.
Known for his goalscoring abilities with the Spain National Team, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and some other top clubs, Fernando Torres was regarded as one the best strikers.
The talented forward scored various kind of goals but it will be hard to believe that he started as a goalkeeper.
Torres was eventually converted to a forward and it’s a decision that most football lovers will appreciate.
4. Hitler is Lewandowski great grand Uncle
Did you know??!! Robert Lewandowski was the grandson of Hitler’s youngest sister who was called Pawla Hitler. She died in the year 1960.
This is one of the biggest strange facts in football that you might have not known in 2022.
5. Ronaldo and Messi have an age difference of 869 days same as their sons
Why would you write about strange facts in football without mentioning Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
The two players have rewritten the history of football and have not shown any signs of giving up as of 2022. As they continue their rivalry on the pitch, it’s surprising that their first sons have an age difference of 869 days
This collides with the same age difference Ronaldo and Messi share between themselves. It’s left to see if their children will also engage in another rivalry when their father retires.
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6. Liverpool was initially named Everton Athletics
One of the best football clubs in Europe, Liverpool have been able to stand the test of time. But not many fans will believe that there first named Everton Athletics.
Liverpool has continued to achieve various milestones to the expense of their rival, Everton.
Fans would have been having difficulties identifying the two teams with Liverpool formerly named Everton Athletics.
7. German club Wolfburg once had a manager called Wolfburg Wolf.
It’s a strange fact about football that will never cross your mind. Wolfsburg have become a reputable team in the Bundesliga and there are no signs that this will stop anytime soon.
As Wolfsburg continue to fight their way to the top, they once had a manager called Wolfburg Wolf. He managed Wolfsburg from 1998 – 2003.
8. Giggs and Raul never had a red card in their careers.
Red cards is is used by the officials to remove a player from the match. It means the automatic ejection of the player and almost all footballers have received one.
However, despite playing for over 20 years at the highest level, Ryan Giggs and Raul Gonzalez did not receive a red card.
Ryan Giggs has a club record number of 963 appearances for Manchester United while Raul had a total tally of appearances of 1044 with 942 at club level and 102 appearances at international level.
9. Phillip Lahm received zero red card
The job of a defender is to stop an attacker from getting past them and this leaves them vulnerable to cards.
Top defenders have become popular for receiving red cards and yellow cards.
However, Bayern Munich and Germany legend, Phillip Lahm didn’t receive a card in his career.
Lahm made a total of 765 career appearances from which 652 was at club level and 113 was at International level.
10. No English manager has ever won the premier league.
The English Premier League might be the most-watched football league in the world but no English manager has ever won the title.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte are some of the top managers that have won the trophies but there is no room any English manager.
It’s left to see if that will change anytime soon.
Summary: Strange Facts About Football You Don’t Know Existed In 2022
11. Man City fills its stadium more than Liverpool and United.
Another strange fact about football you would never believe existed in 2022 is that Manchester City fills its stadium more than Liverpool and Manchester United.
Manchester City have become one of the most successful club in England with Pep Guardiola turning the team into a serial winner.
Latest statistics have shown that Manchester City fans are used to fill up the stadium, their trophy cabinet in the past few years might have played a part.
12. Samuel Etoo was once the most paid footballer in the world.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe might be among the most paid player in the world as at 2022 but Samuel Etoo once held the record.
In 2011, Etoo joined Russian side, Anzhi Makhachkala from Inter Milan and earned an annual salary of $29 million, which will make him the highest-paid soccer player in the world at that time.
Despite his huge paycheck, life at Anzhi Makhachkala was not rosy for Etoo who left after some months.
13. Nigeria has more trophies than England
Regarded as the Giant of Africa, Nigeria football male team has won more trophies than the England national team.
However, England has won the FIFA World Cup but Nigeria is yet to taste victory at the biggest tournament in the world.
14. The FIFA World Cup trophy was once stolen in England
As earlier stated that England have won the FIFA World Cup. However, during the course of celebration, the trophy was stolen.
It all happened in 1966 when England won the FIFA World Cup, their only World Cup title to date.
Prior to the tournament, while on display at a stamp exhibition in Westminster Central Hall in London, the Jules Rimet trophy was stolen from under the noses of its guards.
15. There are more Portuguese speaking people in Angola than Portugal.
Angela is an African country but it has more Portuguese speaking people than Portugal. It’s not surprising that it’s on our list of strange facts about football.
16. Mangala has more premier league medals than any Spurs and Liverpool legend.
Former Manchester City defender, Eliaquim Mangala has more premier league medals than any Spurs and Liverpool legend.
It’s a fact that might however, change anytime soon. Manchester City stumped up a British record £42million for the France defender but he left on a free after playing 79 games.
Summary: Strange Facts About Football You Don’t Know Existed In 2022
Stated above are some strange facts about football fans didn’t know existed in 2022. Football will continue to improve and this list might see some updates.
Source: Koboinfo
