Lionel Messi and 10 Admirable Footballers Who Never Dive

The game of football has been long marred by those that would rather take the easy way out and roll on the ground in hopes of getting a call than be a man about taking a tackle.

In the modern game, it has become even more of a problem, as players continue to work at mastering the art of making the littlest knock turn into the worst foul of the century.

For a breath of fresh air, here is a look at 10 players that are known to be stand up about avoiding diving and playing the game the way it should be.

Miroslav Klose

Perhaps it is because he is part of football's old guard, but SS Lazio and German international Miroslav Klose is one that rarely goes down.

If he can manage to get a shot off, even after a hit, in order to play the advantage, he will do so.

Carlos Tevez

Even though he has been out of the game much of this season, Carlos Tevez is too much of a hard-nosed player to take to diving.

He is more likely to be seen diving for a ball than taking a quick trip to the pitch from a small trip.

Dirk Kuyt

Liverpool and Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt is a true embodiment of an old-fashioned hard worker.

The Dutchman is known for his endless running up and down the pitch and is never seen whining on the pitch from a tackle.

Rather than argue for a call that is not going to come, he gets up and goes about his business and gets the job done with grit and determination.

Lionel Messi

The fleet-footed Argentine forward has always been one to play the advantage.

If he can avoid the tackle or take the hit and keep moving toward the goal, he is one that will always do so.

Xabi Alonso

A former Liverpool player and now Real Madrid playmaker, Xabi Alonso is known as a player that gets the job done throughout the night, and he never complains.

Alonso takes some harsh tackles, but he never complains, as he continues to always get up and go about his game match after match. He plays with true class.

Vinnie Jones

Yes, the master of all hard men never dove.

He was more interested in making people dive in fear of his tackle.

Raul Gonzalez

Another old guard member is Schalke 04 striker Raul Gonzalez.

The former Real Madrid man has been class his entire career and never was one to flail on the ground, for his hunger to score was far too great to beg for help from the match officials.

Edin Dzeko

During his time in Germany, Edin Dzeko was not known as a diver.

Furthermore, since making his move to the English Premier League, he has continued that strong reputation as a scorer and not a whiner.

Steven Gerrard

Liverpool's captain fantastic has never been one to shirk a challenge with a dive.

His will to get forward and score has always taken the front seat to his forays forward, rather than a sprawl to the pitch in hope of a call.

Shola Ameobi

One of Newcastle United's best squad players over the past seasons, Shola Ameobi has always been a constant professional.

He give his all and never fails to be a stand-up man on the pitch that never would be seen doing anything less than taking his licks and getting up match after match.

Conclusion

For every player that is a non-diver, there are at least five that are the opposite of him in the way they play the game.

There are plenty more class players out there that would never be caught taking a dive. Feel free to list your additions in the comments section.

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