Hated Premier League Footballers

Every Premier League footballer will have to deal with scrutiny at one time or another but some are universally disliked on a whole other level.

Whether it’s down to a player speaking out publicly against his teammates, off-field antics in nightclubs or just sheer cockiness on the pitch, there are some players who are more hated than others.

The life of a footballer is often glorious but many have to deal with taunting and jeering for 90 minutes every Saturday. Here, we look at five Premier League stars who are among the most disliked in the top flight…

Antony – Manchester United

‘What a waste of money’ rings around every Premier League stadium whenever Antony gets the ball, or it should anyway.

The Brazilian is among our most hated footballers list because he still has the swagger and the cockiness despite lacking the productivity to be able to back it up.

He scored one goal and recorded one assist in 29 league games in 2023/24 and to say that he has failed to live up to the hype is downplaying it a bit.

Manchester United paid £82 million to sign Antony from Ajax in August 2022 and they’ve had very little return on their investment. He’s received lots of stick from rival fans though.

Rodri – Manchester City

Some players are so good that they attract hate and Rodri certainly fits into that bracket here. He is undoubtedly the best central midfield player on the planet.

However, he is also universally disliked, with jealous supporters of rival clubs constantly referencing his ‘unbeaten record’ – which ended at 74 games and 475 days.

Notoriously known as a bad loser, Rodri has – on more than one occasion – thrown an insult or two at opposing teams when on the losing side.

The Spaniard claimed Leicester were ‘lucky’ to win 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium in 2020 and stated Scotland did not ‘play football’ when beating Spain some three years later.

Richarlison – Tottenham Hotspur

Good god, Richarlison is one moody bugger. A constant scowl is etched into his face and the Brazilian looks like he’d rather be anywhere else than on the football pitch.

Is it an act or is that just him? It’s hard to say. But the fact that he’s earning a staggering sum of money yet looks furious about it does not help his standing with fans.

Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool

Described by some as the greatest defender in Premier League history, haters believe that the Dutchman is actually the most overrated player to grace England’s top flight.

Van Dijk carries himself arrogantly around the pitch, strutting his stuff and nonchalantly directing his subordinates at the back. When Liverpool concede, it’s never his fault – obviously.

Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United

Quite possibly the most despised player in Premier League history, Bruno Fernandes takes top spot in the poll that no footballer wants to win.

He is constantly complaining to referees, has a habit for diving and rolling around like he’s just been shot by a sniper rifle. A fantastic talent but he’s difficult to like unless you are a Manchester United supporter.