The 10 Worst Things That Can Happen to a Footballer on the Pitch

Any mishap of things can occur to a player on the pitch; however, a number of events rank among the worst.

Ask any player, from a local pick-up team member to a major European League midfielder, and more than likely they will have an unfortunate story to tell; many would land in the top 10 worst things to happen to a footballer.

With that said, let's get to it.

Be the Backdrop to a Cartwheeling Streaker Photo

It is one thing to be on the pitch and have a match disrupted by a crazed fan running naked out of a random section of the stands.

However, it is another to be captured in the most infamous photo from one of the incidents.

If you ask Liverpool's Glen Johnson he would probably tell you that a picture that makes him out to be the perfectly framed backdrop to the all-revealing action shot probably is not the best of things to have happened to him on the pitch.

Injure a Mascot and Feel the Fan Retaliation

For once I have to say "where is PETA?" Accidents involving mascots can cause fans to get upset at the offender, but sometimes players go too far and get what they deserve.

Luis Moreno from Colombian side Deportivo Pereira is the latest player to feel not only fan hatred, but official league action for injuring the unofficial owl mascot of Atletico Junior.

Moreno kicked the mascot that had flown down to the field as what was called an attempt to get him to fly off of the pitch.

Colombian officials released this statement in regards to the incident and two-game suspension and fine that was handed down to Moreno:

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"This animal was a symbol for the fans from Barranquilla." "Given that the aggressive act took place in their home stadium and in the clear view of all the fans, this act can be legitimately interpreted as provocative."

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Moreno went on to state the following: "I have received threats."

However, Moreno offered no details.

Nearly Get Hit by a Rocket from the Stands

A player has enough to worry about as far as getting injured without fan interaction.

The players in the above video, taken during a Romanian football match, were almost the victims of a rogue rocket that spun out of control from the grand stands.

If it had been a more explosive firework, it may have seriously injured at least six to eight players.

Be Struck by Lightning

While playing in a game, your head is in a million places. Between focusing on the run of play, anticipating the next pass or the next shot, the last thing on your mind is the weather reaching out to touch you.

That very thing happened in the video portrayed above when a freak lightening strike struck down the majority of the players in the midst of a match.

Make a Dive Effort so Horrible You Get Made Fun of Immidiately

Aston Villa's John Carew was the one to do the making fun of during his days as a Norwegian footballer when his opponent Knut Anders Fostervold made one of the worst dives attempts ever.

It is bad enough that players will dive to get a call, it is truly the height of embarrassment though when you have not only been caught by the match official but also have the opposing team mocking you.

Score an Own Goal, or Three

No player ever wants to feel the burn of a loss, but to be the one that unfortunately puts an opposing goal into their own net is one of the most torturous and lonely feelings in the world.

The worst incident involving own goals has to be from 1995 when Stan van den Buys scored three own goals in one match while playing for Germinal Ekeren.

His unfortunate negative hat trick lost his team the match 3-2 to Anderlecht.

Suffer a Horrid Injury That Threatens Your Career

Two seasons ago, Aaron Ramsey faced just that kind of injury after he suffered a brutal broken leg in a match against Stoke City.

He has made a miraculous return to first-team action for both Arsenal and Wales since then, but many other players have been dealt the same type of injury and been done for.

Miss in a Penalty Shootout and Cost Your Club Silverware

John Terry's miss in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United was perhaps one of the most painful ones to happen.

Not only did a player miss, but it was from the club's captain and the one player that the team was leaning on to keep them in the fight.

The Chelsea defender is not the only one to have skied a penalty that cost his team. Landon Donovan also had a penalty miss that helped lose his team some silverware in the 2009 MLS Cup Final.

Get Knocked out of a Major Tournament Thanks to a Hand Ball

Ireland suffered greatly thanks to a hand ball in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers as a Thierry Henry cross allowed a headed effort to bring the match level and end the Irish's run to South Africa.

They are not alone in their devastation and heart break, but it is an unfortunate truth that happens from time to time.

It is easier to take a loss if it is legitimate because at least then you can blame your own performance. However, to have your country be eliminated thanks to a goal derived from a hand ball makes it one of the most gut-wrenching things to happen on the pitch.

Death on the Pitch

During the first 100 years of footballing reported deaths, 31 players lost their lives on the pitch or in the days following a match where they were critically injured.

The first reported death was in 1889 when 26-year-old William Cropper was involved in a collision where he suffered a ruptured bowel. From then on, there was a player lost every three years on average until 1989.

From 1990 until today, there have been 51 reported deaths; a rate of nearly two players per year. The most notable player to have been lost in recent years was RCD Espanyol defender and club captain, Daniel Jarque.

Jarque was one of the most beloved players in the city of Barcelona, throughout Spain, and was widely respected throughout the footballing world.