World Football's 20 Most Unforgettable Temper Tantrums

Carlos Tevez
Michael Regan/Getty Images

The spring season brings to mind the end of football season in many areas of the world. It also brings preparations for the summer transfer window.

There are people who begin the spring season with segments dedicated to the wackiest moments in sports history. What about a slideshow dedicated to the 20 most unforgettable temper tantrums in the history of world football?

The decision was made to do a slideshow covering all of the angles. It is hoped that people can sit back, relax and enjoy the moments that made world football history.

1. Carlos Tevez 2011

Carlos Tevez Press Conference (courtesy of Vezhu ht Sky Sports)

No temper tantrum moment in world football is complete without mentioning Carlos Tevez. Carlos Tevez took the temper tantrum to a whole new level during the fall of 2011.

During the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Bayern Munich, Tevez disobeyed Roberto Mancini (Manchester City manager) by refusing to play or warm up.

The temper tantrum happened during this crucial match for Manchester City. Manchester City paid a heavy price and lost to Bayern Munich.

Tevez was later charged and disciplined for his actions. The Professional Footballers Association ordered Manchester City to reduce its punishment and offered to help Tevez.

Tevez responded by going to Argentina without consulting anyone and stayed there hoping he could go to another club. The result was that no club wanted Tevez and he is now having to rebuild his bridges with everyone at Manchester City.

2. Wayne Rooney Insults English Fans 2010

Wayne Rooney Insulting English Fans during 2010 FIFA World Cup (Courtesy of FIFA 10 Tube)

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, England and Algeria faced each other in their group match. The result was a scoreless draw, which resulted in the English fans booing their national team.

Wayne Rooney responded by getting close to the fans and insulting them. Rooney did not stop there. Please go to the next slide. Thank you.

3. Wayne Rooney in the Movies

Wayne Rooney (Courtesy of fifasoccer21)

In a short, humorous skit, Wayne Rooney loses his temper with a director who hoped to film him in action.

4. Carlos Ruiz During MLS Match 2008

Carlos Ruiz Temper Tantrum in 2008 MLS Match between San Jose Earthquakes VS Toronto FC (Courtesy of Qbarnabus)

Carlos Ruiz had a big temper tantrum during the match between the MLS Teams San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC. He was a substitute and was substituted by another person during the match.

The response can be appreciated in this video. Ruiz was eventually released from Toronto and played in various teams in Paraguay and Mexico before returning to the MLS.

Ruiz is currently with the Philadelphia Union.

5. Zidane Head Butt 2006

Zidane Headbutt of 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany (Courtesy of Digit41)

The 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany will always be remembered with one of the biggest temper tantrums in its history. Zinedine Zidane of France did a headbutt against Marco Materazzi of Italy in the extra time between the two countries.

Nobody will ever know what transpired between the two, except that Zidane said that Materazzi insulted his family. Zidane received a red card for his transgression.

6. Didier Drogba: UCL Chelsea vs FC Barcelona in 2009

Didier Drogba (Courtesy of Danny251 ht to Sky Sport)

Didier Drogba lost it during the UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona. Drogba reacted to Chelsea being unable to classify for the UEFA Champions League.

The result was that he was booked and was suspended by UEFA for improper conduct. Chelsea FC was also punished and there were people who thought that Drogba should go to another club.

Drogba is at the last leg of his career with Chelsea FC and it remains to be seen who will sign him.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo 2010

Cristiano Ronaldo Losing It Against Nani (Courtesy of Mr.Azaan 24 ht RTP of Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were playing for Portugal's national world football team. According to The Sun, the year was 2010 and the match was against Spain.

Ronaldo thought he scored a great goal, but Nani used his head and nullified it. The result was a temper tantrum by Ronaldo against Nani.

Nani apologized, but Ronaldo directed his temper tantrum against the match officials. There is more of Cristiano Ronaldo to come.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo During El Clasico 2010

Cristiano Ronaldo During 2010 El Clasico Between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona (Courtesy of Derbyanabella ht Cuatro)

Cristiano Ronaldo lost it again during the El Clasico match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in the year 2010.

9. Elizabeth Lambert 2011

Elizabeth Lambert (Courtesy of Associated Press)

According to ESPN Soccernet, Elizabeth Lambert of New Mexico was suspended for her actions during the Mountain West semifinal against Brigham Young University (BYU). Ms. Lambert pulled the hair of Kassidy Shumway, who is a forward for BYU.

Ms. Lambert also kicked, tackled and used her forearm against an opposing player. While Ms. Lambert apologized, the punishment of suspension on a permanent basis was the right call by New Mexico.

10. Chile vs Italy 1962

Chile VS Italy 1962 (Courtesy of Panfilo99 ht Goal TV)

What happened was more than a temper tantrum during the 1962 FIFA World Cup match between Chile and Italy. It was a disgrace that leaves a sour taste in the mouths of those who love world football.

The narration in the video explains what transpired. While it is not current history, it deserves an honorable mention.

11. Luis Suarez 2012

Luis Suarez
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Luis Suarez received an eight-match ban for racial abuse against Patrice Evra of Manchester United. When Suarez returned from his ban and faced Manchester United, Evra offered his hand to Suarez.

Suarez (his version of a temper tantrum) refused to shake Evra's hand. The incident could have caused a big problem in Manchester.

12. Jose Mourinho 2011

Jose Mourinho
Angel Martinez/Getty Images

According to the FIFA website, Jose Mourinho was banned by UEFA during its 2010-2011 Champions League match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Mourinho accused UEFA of favoritism towards FC Barcelona.

Mourinho once accused Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona of racism. He went as far as to poke the eyes of Tito Villanova of La Blaugrana and called Barca a "small club."

13. Lionel Messi 2009

Messi Loses cool in FC Barcelona VS FC Shakhtar Donetsk Match (Courtesy of Mightmf)

Lionel Messi even lost his temper in a match against FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the year 2009. Messi also received a yellow card in the process.

14. Bowyer vs Dyer or Newcastle United FC Infighting 2005

Dyer VS Bowyer (Newcastle United FC) (Video courtesy of Feno85)

In the 2005 match between Newcastle United FC and Aston Villa, Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer of Newcastle United went to blows against each other. The result was a suspension of the two for their temper tantrum and disgrace which left a bitter taste in those who witnessed it.

15. Arsene Wenger 2010

Arsene Wenger (Courtesy of liamthegolfer)

Arsene Wenger is seen here throwing his water bottle after Arsenal loses to Tottenham during a 2010 match.

16. Pep Guardiola 2012

Pep Guardiola
Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

According to Caught Offside, Pep Guardiola (FC Barcelona manager) threw his water bottle at a medic from the opposing team Sevilla FC. Guardiola later apologized to the medic.

17. Volante Derlan 2012

Aggression Against Referee In Brazilian World Football Match

Volante Derlan of Induraba insulted a referee after receiving a yellow card during the match between his team and Sao Raimundo-AM in Brazil. The result was Derlan assaulting the referee and getting arrested.

A temper tantrum (like many in world football) that can go to the extreme.

18. Gerard Pique 2010

Gerard Pique (Courtesy of Moviodefutbol ht Punto Pelota)

Gerard Pique was filmed spitting at Pedro Cortes, who is a high-ranking Spanish World Football official. This happened when Spain was celebrating its victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

It is not clear whether this will count as a temper tantrum or not, but it is worth mentioning.

19. Iker Casillas 2012

Iker Casiilas Leaves Nasal Mark on Cypriot child during UEFA Champions League match)

Iker Casillas (in a questionable temper tantrum, but it is a definite slap in the face of the child) picked his nose and left the secretions on the face of a Cypriot child. This happened during one of the 2012 UEFA Champions League semifinals between Real Madrid and APOEL of Nicosia.

I saw this on TV and was angered that this happened. I don't know what Casillas was thinking about.

20. Karanka 2012

Karanka (Courtesy of La Liga BBVA)

Karanka appears in a press conference organized by La Liga BBVA instead of Jose Mourinho. In the press conference (which was published by Sport.es), Karanka accuses the referee of bias in favor of Valencia when the two teams met.

It is always easy to hide a temper tantrum by accusing the other person or team of wrongdoing. It appears to be a temper tantrum below the surface of a calm demeanor.

Conclusion

Carlos Tevez
Michael Regan/Getty Images

The slideshow of the 20 unforgettable temper tantrums (direct or indirect) is coming to a close. My thanks to the readers of Bleacher Report for your time in visiting this slideshow.

Best wishes to all of you during this week.