Safee Sali, Dimitar Berbatov And 7 Other Footballers Who Smoke
These smokin' hot players light up both on and off the pitch. It could be their "cigarette" to success.
By Darian Goh — 01 Dec 2014, 06:13 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
Before the recent match between Malaysia and Singapore, several Malaysian players were caught in a social media storm after Singaporean Jose Raymond photographed some of them smoking in team jerseys. Among them are striker Safee Sali and goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi.
A photo posted on Facebook of Malaysia’s national footballers smoking in their team jerseys has been making its rounds online. The footballers are in Singapore ahead of their Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Group B clash against Singapore tomorrow. The players are in the yellow and black jerseys of the Malaysia team. Striker Safee Sali is visibly smoking in the picture.
themalaysianinsider.com
But it seemed that smoking did not deter Safee Sali as it turned out to be his "cigarette" for success. He scored for Malaysia and the team won 3-1 against the defending champions.
So, SAYS takes a look at other footballers who light up off the pitch. However, this does not give you an excuse to light up! Smoking is still bad for you and these athletes have been training for almost all their life.
1. Ashley Cole. The former Chelsea and Arsenal defender always smoke heavily during his summer holiday according to a close source.
"Ashley always smokes heavily during his annual summer holiday in LA. Even some of his friends have told him it is stupid. He has been spotted smoking before, but Mourinho wasn’t his boss then. He is known for expecting the best standards from his players and will not be impressed."
bleacherreport.com
2. Zinedine Zidane. The French legend was known to take part in an anti-smoking campaign in 2002 but ironically was caught smoking just before the World Cup semi-finals against Portugal in 2006.
Zidane was widely known to be a part of an anti-smoking campaign in 2002, but was seen casually smoking a cigarette just before the 2006 World Cup semifinal against Portugal.
sportskeeda.com
3. Dimitar Berbatov. The ex-Manchester United striker is known for chain-smoking.
Dimitar Berbatov is probably the worst role model out there in terms of dissuading people to start smoking. Because let's face it - he looks quite cool.
nairaland.com4. Mario Balotelli. Super Mario had gotten into trouble with his smoking habit. He was fined and threatened but it seems old habits die hard.
The Daily Mail reported in 2012 that his then-Manchester City boss, Roberto Mancini, told him to stop smoking or he would have to leave Manchester City..So Balotelli left Manchester City. In April 2013, now at AC Milan, Balotelli received a fine after he was caught smoking in a train’s toilets while the team was traveling to an away game against Fiorentina.
bleacherreport.com
5. Socrates. The Brazilian legend was once known to smoke two packets of cigarettes a day. He was also a qualified doctor.
The late Brazilian genius, Socrates, smoked two packets of cigarettes a day during his playing career. This was despite him studying medicine at the time and going on to become a qualified doctor.
bleacherreport.com
6. Wayne Rooney. The England midfielder has been heavily criticised when he was photographed smoking in public. However, he has been banging in the goals regularly for both England and Manchester United.
7. Mesut Ozil. The World Cup winner was seen here smoking on a boat together with his buddies.
Welcome to the Premier League Mesut Özil! The recently acquired German midfielder has quite the life off the pitch, as it was reported that Real Madrid wanted him out after he exhausted himself chasing after his former girlfriend a Miss Venezuela.
90min.com
8. Wesley Sneijder. The former Manchester United target was once hot property but now plies his trade in the Turkish league.
