5 most selfish players in world football

"There's no 'I' in team" is one of the most cliche statements in football. It holds true too as, on most occasions, everyone has to play their part in results and for the improvement of the team. However, with brilliant individual performances alongside an attractive style of play, some footballers have no problems being selfish.

Famous for his technique, pace, and divine accuracy, Arjen Robben was one of the most selfish players in the Bayern Munich squad for nearly a decade. Once in a while, the Bavarian legend would make a key pass to provide an assist for an all-important goal.

But Robben was often seen cutting onto his left foot and belting a ferocious shot from range instead of passing to a well-placed teammate. Notably in 2012, Robben explained in an interview, "Selfishness is a quality."

Usually, selfish players can be great dribblers and brilliant attackers like Robben was. But their selfishness can easily get on the nerves of their teammates. Sometimes, they can make up for all the selfishness by scoring a glorious solitary goal. But more often than not, everyone on the team just ends up frustrated.

Selfishness is still a quality, at least for some players in modern football. While these stars have garnered fans with their flair and individual brilliance, they have to keep up their performances consistently. After all, there's nothing more annoying to fans and teammates than a selfish player who's having a bad day in front of goal.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the five most selfish players in world football:

#5 Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid

Vinicius Jr. has all the great qualities a selfish player needs to succeed. He's versatile, pacey, explosive, and capable of running at opponents and getting past them. Although Vinicius has notably aided his team with a few assists, his dribbling antics and consistency in cutting in to look for the shot makes the star a rather selfish player.

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But Vinicius Jr. isn't exactly adept at finding the net. This season, he's taken approximately five shots per game during three Champions League outings, and he's scored just twice. However, Vinicius is showing signs of improving his overall game. Overall, the Brazilian has managed nine goals and five assists 14 games this season.

While he has often been criticized for his dribbling and selfishness on the ball, Vinicius is enjoying a breakthrough season this term. The young Real Madrid star has added a final product to his game though he is still susceptible to the occasional selfish play.

#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic | AC Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed the best form of his career during his stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he recorded 15 assists in the 2013-14 league season.

Earlier in his career, the 40-year-old journeyman was even used as a supporting striker and creative playmaker. However, those years are long gone, and Ibrahimovic now has one purpose for every team he joins: scoring goals.

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During his time at Manchester United, pundits like Liverpool legend Phil Thompson labeled the star "highly selfish." Thompson complained:

"He was having sort of 15 shots a game and there were other people in better positions."

Ibrahimovic has remained unperturbed by such accusations, explaining:

"Am I selfish? I have to be, there are many are kings but there is only one god and that’s me."

Also go through Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Net Worth in 2021

#3 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool

Liverpool marksman Mohamed Salah is currently in the form of his life. His brilliant return of ten goals and five assists in just nine Premier League appearances proves there is clearly no stopping Salah.

While his remarkable performances for the Reds have taken the world by storm, his selfishness has been the talk of the town as well. In the Premier League, Salah has averaged over four shots per game, scoring once every four shots. Critics will argue that he could have passed the ball instead of taking a number of those shots.

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Sadio Mane and Salah went viral after Mane's frustration at the Egyptian international was evident after a missed shot. Salah raced into the area and went for goal himself instead of passing to Mane, who was unmarked and in a much better position to score.

More recently, Liverpool legend Graham Souness described Salah as "the most selfish player I've ever seen."

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Call him what you will, Cristiano Ronaldo's brilliance on the field and dedication to the game is unparalleled. He has been termed selfish, self-centered, and even egotistic. But the Portuguese maestro has developed a habit of responding to his critics by scoring more goals on the field.

Ronaldo often takes the lone-ranger approach, driving into the final third with no intention of passing, and this can be problematic for his teammates. While at Real Madrid and Juventus, Ronaldo averaged nearly seven shots per ninety minutes. It is safe to assume this trend might continue at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo has been constantly criticized by many pundits and even fellow players for this as well. While he was still at Juventus, Antonio Cassano famously criticized the player, explaining:

"He’s always been selfish. He doesn’t care if others score, he only lives to score himself. He doesn’t live for football, he lives for his own goals, it’s clear."

#1 Neymar | Paris Saint-Germain

Articles titled "Why does Neymar get so much hate?" and "Neymar: Selfish brat or misunderstood genius?" quickly came up during Google searches of the Brazilian. While it seems uncalled for from the peripheries, it's hardly surprising.

Neymar came to the attention of European clubs when his showboating antics and dribbling skills stole the show at Santos. His time at Barcelona and his current stint with PSG haven't been very different either.

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His South American style of play complemented Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona. However, many French fans and pundits constantly complain about Neymar.

Without a doubt, the Brazilian international is one of the best players in the world, and his solo goals are incredible. However, his selfishness with the ball can be a source of frustration for his teammates, as well as viewers and pundits.

Last month, Kylian Mbappe admitted to complaining about Neymar's selfishness to Idrissa Gueye. PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino ultimately had to bring both players together during training to ensure there were no hard feelings.

Also take a look at Neymar's team, the previous and current one.

Edited by Anantaajith Raghuraman