5 of the worst dives this season

"Diving is a piece of art" said no sane man on this planet ever. Even with the introduction of the Video Assisted Referee (VAR) in many leagues and competitions, there is still no shortage to the number of dives players across the globe make on a regular basis.

It goes without question that this is a practice that is frowned upon by almost everyone associated with football but it remains a decoy that players exhibit in and around the penalty box in a bid to win penalties and free-kicks.

Recently, the Premier League introduced a 2-game ban for successful deception of the referee and once VAR is also implemented extensively, we can hope that the count decreases.

So, we look at 5 ridiculous dives made by some of the best players in the world this season:

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#5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Ronaldo in action for Portugal this season

Ronaldo has transformed from a mazy dribbler along the flanks to an indomitable force in front of goal and it still remains a mystery the level and standards he maintains at 33 years of age.

But one of his lowest point this season came against Netherlands in a friendly, a match which Portugal would go on to lose 3-0. His yearning for goals and the pure hunger to put the ball in the back of the net resulted in him simulating a dive near the penalty box.

He cut inside, geared up to shoot, fluffed his line and struck his foot on the ground and went down. Perhaps he thought a Dutch defender had tripped him, perhaps not. The referee was right to show no interest in the matter and Ronaldo vented out his anger.

VIDEO: Ronaldo dive against The Netherlands

#4 Neymar (PSG)

Neymar failed to inspire PSG in the Champions league this season

There was only one thing on Neymar's mind following his mega-million move to Paris Saint-Germain and that was to win the Balon D'or by leading them to victory in the UEFA Champions League.

But the Brazilian sustained a nasty ankle injury after the first leg of their round-of-16 tie against Madrid and PSG were knocked out from the competition. However he faced a fair share of criticism after a match against Bayern Munich in the group stages.

He received the ball in the inside-left channel and tried to dodge past some Bayern players. Arturo Vidal attempted a sliding tackle in the process and Neymar decided to a make a meal out of it and executed a theatrical fall to perfection although there was no contact from the Chilean

The referee was right on the scene and gave Neymar a worthy booking for the same.

VIDEO: Neymar's simulation against Bayern

#3 Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Kane- an unlikely player on the list

After winning the Premier League Golden Boot two years in a row, Harry Kane had his eyes firmly set on a historic hat trick but he, like all of us, have been surprised by the emergence of Mohammed Salah this season.

It was a match of high stakes as Liverpool hosted Tottenham and the match was finely poised at 1-1. In the 84th minute however, Dejan Lovren's fluffed clearance sent Kane through on goal. Karius came rushing out of his goal, Kane dodged him and went down after the lightest of touches when he could've put the ball into the back of the net.

The referee awarded a penalty and call it karma or an instant vindication, Karius saved the effort from the spot.

VIDEO: A right decision?

#2 Pedro (Chelsea)

Pedro has been disappointing all season

It has been a season for Chelsea to forget as they have meekly surrendered the league title to Manchester City and are now fighting to finish fourth. But, they find themselves in the final of the FA Cup this season and will be looking to lift the cup by defeating Manchester United.

They faced Norwich City in the 3rd round, a match that would eventually go all the way to penalties. In the 62nd minute however, Pedro was sent through on goal by Kenedy. Gunn, the Norwich keeper, was quick to charge off his line and Pedro decided to go down despite the keeper having made absolutely no contact with the Spaniard.

The referee got the decision spot on and gave him his a yellow card for simulation.

VIDEO: Pedro's theatrics

#1 Dele Alli (Tottenham)

Alli needs to stop diving!

Dele Alli's rise to stardom in such a short period of time certainly deserves praise but in the process, he has also earned himself an unwanted reputation of going down too easily.

In the FA Cup 5th round this season, Spurs were drawn away to Rochdale and the Lilywhites found the going tough against the League-One side. As the scoreline read 1-1 in the 87th minute, Lamela's deflected shot found Alli inside the box who took a touch and went down rather theatrically.

The referee awarded a penalty and Kane converted it. However Rochdale would go on to score a 93rd minute equaliser to earn themselves a replay.

VIDEO: Watch Alli dive at 3:20