5 Players Who Would Have Made Good Gangsters

Football is a tough game. Anyone who has played the game knows that it requires immense physical demands and sacrifices from players.

It also flourishes in poor neighborhoods, where youngsters don't have many options out. Former Queens Park Rangers star Stan Bowles once said that if he had not become a football player, he would have become a gangster. Here are five players who would have made real-life gangsters. 

Daniel Passarella

Daniel Passarella was a tough-tackling defender who led the Argentine national team to a World Cup final win in 1978. Although short for a defender, he was still a combative player. He was renowned for using his elbows. 

Vinnie Jones

Probably the craziest of Wimbledon's infamous Crazy Gang, Vinnie Jones was a fearsome midfielder who often got carried away on the field. (He was once sent off in a friendly.)

With his crew cut and imposing nature, Jones often relied on psychological warfare to unnerve opponents. However, in spite of his reputation for physicality, he was also a good ballplayer. He won the FA cup with Wimbledon in 1988 in a shocking win over Liverpool.

Jones later capitalized on his image by playing several tough guys on the big screen. 

Roy Keane

Manchester United legend Roy Keane was the archetypal captain, leading the team through his physical presence in midfield. He was incredibly competitive and took losing very badly.

In his autobiography, Keane admitted that he considered it a disappointment when United only won the EPL league one year. 

He also clashed with Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy during the 2002 World Cup, claiming that the squad's preparation was unprofessional.

Keane was often sent off for some terrible challenges, such as the one on Alfe-Inge Haland. "Keano" had all the makings of an enforcer off the field. 

Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness was the engine room of Liverpool's all-conquering team of the 1980s. He was also known for biting tackles and for generally throwing himself, and opponents, around on the field. Argentina and Spurs legend Osvaldo Ardiles once described him as a desperado.

After his retirement, Souness launched a successful managerial career at Rangers before moving south to Liverpool.

Souness' abrasive nature often rubbed many of his players the wrong way. 

Harald "Toni" Schumacher

Harald "Toni" Schumacher was a German World Cup goalkeeper who will always be infamous for flattening France international Patrick Battiston in the 1982 World Cup semifinal.

Schumacher's collision left Battiston in a coma. Schumacher never apologized for his action, proving that he had all the qualities of being an off-field gangster.