Euro 2012: 5 Most Volatile Players to Look out for in Poland, Ukraine
The creative types can keep their accolades. These guys march to their own beat.
Admittedly, that beat is a bit volatile and maybe even a little on the crazy side. But that's fine: All the blowups, bookings and on-field beatdowns make the games that much more unpredictable.
You know the type. Whenever they step on the pitch, there's a possibility for real fireworks.
Read on for five volatile players to watch out for this month in Poland and Ukraine.
Pepe
1 of 5Nation: Portugal
Video evidence: Here
If you're unfamiliar with Pepe's work, you must be new to international football.
That's fine, though. You'll learn quickly enough.
Pepe, a 29-year-old defender for Portugal and Real Madrid, is crazy. Plain and simple.
He earned nine yellow cards and one red this past season in La Liga, and most were well deserved.
Watch any game featuring Pepe, and there's a good chance you'll see a meltdown of some sort on the pitch.
Igor Denisov
2 of 5Nation: Russia
Video evidence: Here
Rarely has Igor Denisov met a referee he's agreed with, nor has he often found a teammate he wouldn't fight.
According to The Guardian, the Russian's rap sheet runs long: fighting with Spartak coach Valery Karpin, spurning Russia ahead of Euro 2008 and more fighting with teammates, a driving instructor and multiple security officers.
Strangely enough, though, that Guardian article reveals that Denisov is also a decent chess player.
Go figure. The thinking man's thug, apparently.
Nigel De Jong
3 of 5Nation: Netherlands
Video evidence: Here
The clip above was a joke, but it's only funny because of Nigel De Jong's reputation.
You've seen the famous flying jump-kick De Jong landed on Spain's Xabi Alonso during the 2010 World Cup final.
Sadly, that's not the Manchester City and Netherlands midfielder's only indiscretion. Just ask Stuart Holden.
Mario Balotelli
4 of 5Nation: Italy
Video evidence: Here
In the case of Mario Balotelli, volatile doesn't always mean violent. It can also mean funny and stupid. And violent.
Still just 21, the Italian striker has found himself in the news for throwing darts at teammates, sleeping with a prostitute, crashing his Bentley and setting his house on fire.
And then there's his on-field conduct.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
5 of 5Nation: Sweden
Video evidence: Here
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is as erratic as he is tall.
In 2004, he injured his Ajax teammate Rafael van der Vaart, perhaps intentionally, as some would later speculate. The two still feud.
In April 2011, he was banned three games for swearing at a linesman. Later that year, he got into a fight with teammate Oguchi Onyewu—an altercation Ibra later said nearly killed them both.
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