Arjen Robben and the 25 Biggest Ball Hogs in Football

It is important to note that the term "ball hog" can be thrown around rather carelessly. If you compare football to many other sports, you can see the irony in calling someone such.

For example, if you were to call National Basketball Association legend and Hall of Fame inductee Michael Jordan a ball hog, in many ways, you would be correct. However, you also cannot put aside the fact that Jordan is perhaps the greatest to ever play the game.

In football, there are also those called ball hogs who are equally adept on the ball, who can be playmaker, go-to guy and ball hog at the same time.

These would perhaps be called anti-ball hogs, while there are those that tend to be nothing more than just ball hogs, disrupting play or wasting possession.

This slideshow has some of both in an attempt to create better conversation. So take each player as one or the other, and get the debate started in the comments section below.

Angel Di Maria

One of several anti-ball hogs on the list, Real Madrid's Angel di Maria dribbles the ball as often as possible.

However, much of the time he does so, he creates something good out of it, as the talented Argentine notched 16 assists for Los Blancos this past campaign.

Rafael Van Der Vaart

During his first season at Tottenham in London in 2010-11, Rafael van der Vaart was almost pushed into being a ball hog, as he felt he had much to prove after being so underused at Real Madrid.

In 2011-12, he got better at passing on the ball, but his continued tendency to take ridiculous goal attempts saw him squander some great possession.

However, his powerful shots from distance during the final Euro 2012 group-stage match against Portugal nearly justified it all when he scored a brilliant first goal—a nearly brilliant second attempt struck the post.

Florent Malouda

Chelsea and France winger Florent Malouda was equally as much a ball hog as a good passer in the 2009-10 season, when he had 16 goals and 14 assists.

Since then, the 32-year-old has gradually taken the ball forward himself more, creating less often, as his creativity and vision have clearly taken a back seat to his desire to have the ball.

Charlie Adam

Liverpool may have thought they were signing Charlie Adam to be a dynamic force in midfield.

However, that never happened, as he has spent loads of time giving the ball away while trying to be a better dribbler than he actually is.

Although he had the right to sit on the ball at Blackpool, he is not, nor will he ever be, the best suited for that if he survives under Brendan Rodgers at Anfield.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco

Yes, former Chicago Fire and Club America legend Cuauhtemoc Blanco, is still on the pitch at the age of 39.

However, the attacking midfielder's tendency to keep the ball throughout his career has seen him miss out on many chances to create goals for his teammates.

In the last two seasons, he has failed to create a single assist for Irapuato and Dorados de Sinaloa in Mexico's Liga de Ascenso.

Thierry Henry

While his veteran status and historic pedigree nearly warrant that New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry be a ball hog every night, he does at times try to do way too much on his own, forcing the issue when he could move the ball on.

Daniel Sturridge

Chelsea's young striker Daniel Sturridge was a standout at times this season, as he is growing into his ability as a front man.

The problem is that he has yet to learn that he can be equally as effective when he passes the ball, as his speed and runs create space for his fellow attackers.

Robinho

AC Milan's Brazilian winger Robinho has a tendency to hold the ball far too long, and is constantly caught trying to take the ball too far into the defense without allowing his movement to create for those around him.

Gervinho

Arsenal forward Gervinho can often be seen carrying the ball for far too long, and has yet to be the creative assist-maker that he was brought into the team to be.

Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla is without a doubt the best player on Malaga's squad in La Liga, and is truly a top talent.

However, perhaps knowing that he is the best on the team has him looking for fleeting openings for goals more than setting up teammates for better opportunities.

Neymar

The young Brazilian sensation is a brilliant talent and a future star in world football.

However, he is without a doubt one of the biggest ball hogs around, currently. He does create space and open up defenses at times, but more often, his overkill on the dribbling ends up with him losing possession.

Ronaldinho

The Brazilian dribble master was once en route to becoming the greatest samba star ever. However, somewhere along the line, the former FC Barcelona man fell off the wagon.

While Ronaldinho became a household name with his tricks, that does not show the number of times his trick-attempting style lost possession.

Nani

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United, his fellow Portuguese international Nani decided that it was time for him to take up the mantle of his former club-mate.

However, Nani doesn't always back up his ball-hogging tendencies with the same class that Ronaldo did at United, and currently does at Real Madrid.

Sergio Ramos

Although his movement from right-back to centre-half has helped curtail Sergio Ramos, he is notorious for bombing forward and losing the ball.

How many times can you remember him pushing the ball down the right side for Spain, leaving the back line exposed when he gave the ball away?

Ricardo Quaresma

Ricardo Quaresma is a poster child for players of massive talent that never live up to their hype.

Often considered one of the best talents in Portuguese history, Quaresma's tendency to try and trick his way out of trouble, rather than pass the ball on, has seen him fail to make a major impact at nearly every club he has ever been a part of.

Frank Ribery

Bayern Munich and France winger Franck Ribery is another who can be considered an anti-ball hog.

The talented attacked has created 99 goals in his five years at the German club, and continues to get better on the ball and at creating space each season.

Radamel Falcao

Atletico Madrid brought in a great scorer in former FC Porto attacker Radamel Falcao. Now, not only have they added more goals but a great ball hog as well.

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United's marquee forward, Wayne Rooney is a natural ball hog as the go-to guy for his club. A total of 35 goals and just six assists will prove that in the 2011-12 campaign.

At times, having been shifted from the centre-forward spot to the hole, Rooney was seen taking the ball forward more than creating from his new position, which was all about testing his creativity behind Danny Welbeck.

Luis Suarez

Liverpool's Uruguayan dribble maestro on the front line, Luis Suarez can leave many defenders spinning in their boots.

However, his tendency for flair moves has seen him give the ball away in prime positions.

Mesut Ozil

After two seasons, 23-year-old German midfielder Mesut Ozil is only one assist shy of the half-century mark for Real Madrid, with 49 assists in 105 appearances.

Jeremy Menez

Paris Saint-Germain and French winger Jeremy Menez has a tendency to hold the ball longer than he needs to, and to call for it when he is not in the best position.

Menez is also a victim, at times, of believing he is much better on the ball than he truly is, and gets into trouble and gives the ball away when he could have passed.

Nakai Takuhiro: The 9-Year-Old Japanese Sensation

This video is of Shiga Azul youngster Nakai Takuhiro. Although he is only nine years old—seven at the time of the video—and his ball skills are insane, it still doesn't change the fact that his entire team is open at times, but they never get a pass.

It may seem rough to knock a youngster, but he is a player who, thanks to his ability, can either make everyone around him better or worse. By not passing the ball when he creates the space. he is robbing his entire team of more success.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid and Portuguese national team star Cristiano Ronaldo is a man who likes to keep the ball at his feet.

However, he backs up his ball-hogging tendencies with loads of goals to make it slightly less of an issue.

Lionel Messi

Much like Ronaldo, his rival in the battle to decide who is currently the greatest footballer in the world, Lionel Messi enjoys as much possession as possible.

However, like his rival, Messi justifies it the majority of the time with a load of goals and produced opportunities.

Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben is one of the best wingers in world football, with his ability to run at defenders and open up space for the attackers in his squad.

However, he tends to forget that his job description is to pass the ball off once he helps create the space for the attack.

His inability to find the open man during Holland's horrid run helped the team to an early, group-stage exit from the 2012 European Championship.