The 10 most polarising players in world football

#4 Paul Pogba

Pogba's dancing and other antics have earned him many critics

In England, midfielders tend to be defined by blood and thunder. Those raised on Vieira, Keane and Gerrard, for whom every second on the pitch was imbued with ferocity, have never quite known what to make of Pogba. He is 6'3'', with superhuman athleticism, who plays in the heart of midfield, yet often seems unwilling to get involved with the dirty side of the game.

His attacking contributions are also sometimes not enough for a player blessed with such ridiculous talent. However, what really irritates people about Pogba is his demeanour; he often seems more concerned with dancing, social media and other trends rather than his football. Ex players, notoriously Graeme Souness, take particular issue with the Frenchman.

#3 Diego Costa

Costa is never the most affable of opponents

Diego Costa is a one man army who has waged war on central defenders his entire career. His movement is sharp, his touch excellent and finishing prolific, but opposition defenders are normally far more concerned with the kicking, scratching, gouging and taunting they receive from him.

Costa plays on the very edge, which makes opposition players despise him, and inevitably their fans as well. In England, he was held in contempt everywhere except Chelsea, and even there he is remembered less than fondly after attempting to force a move to China.

Like Suarez and Neymar, Costa is a streetwise player who is willing to cross the line in order to win football games. If he is doing that for your team, provoking opponents into red cards and bullying his way to goals, he is a hero. If you support anyone else though, he is one of the easiest people to despise in the world game.