15 Fearless World Footballers

Think football is a sport of finesse, finely honed skills and delicate touches?

No way.

Sure, Cristiano Ronaldo and his ilk get a lot of attention for their step-overs, fancy footwork and fancier haircuts.

But there's also another breed of footballer out there, one that's a little less-highly evolved.

These are the players that love to mix it up, love to get dirty no matter what's at stake or who they're playing.

These are the most fearless footballers on the planet.

Nigel De Jong

Nigel De Jong is a combative midfielder for Manchester City and the Netherlands.

He ain't skeered of nobody.

Hatem Ben Arfa? Nope.

Xabi Alonso? No way.

His latest target? Cameras, of course.

Didier Drogba

If you're man enough to risk grievous bodily harm to go for a 50-50 ball, you qualify as fearless.

Seriously, though, we're glad Drogba recovered from that.

Marco Materazzi

We all remember this moment.

Cheap? Yes.

But fearless? Considering Zidane's response, we'd like to think so.

Here are some more fearless moments. And here are a few more.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn't afraid to mix it up with anyone.

When he does, he makes great faces.

Christian Poulsen

Christian Poulsen isn't afraid of silly things like rules.

Nor is he afraid of getting stepped on.

Khalid Boulahrouz

Ah, Khalid the Cannibal.

When he's playing, football truly is a man's game.

Michael Bradley

First off, you've got to be fearless to go bald like M. Brad.

Also, whenever there's something fishy going down on the pitch, he's probably involved.

Retired Honorable Mention: Brian McBride

Speaking of USA internationals, Brian McBride was a great one.

McBride is retired now, but during his playing days, he was as fearless as anyone.

Check out this gnarly face gash he picked up against Italy in the 2006 World Cup.

Yeah, he kept playing the whole match.

Kyle Beckerman

OK, OK, just one more USA international.

This one is a doozy, though.

You'll love this headbutt-slash-uppercut Kyle Beckerman puts on a fellow MLS player in this video.

And then you'll love how he seems ready to take on the entire opposing team afterwards.

We're really glad he's playing for Team USA now. Seriously.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney isn't afraid of a good crotch-stomp, or a (club) teammate-shove.

He's also not afraid of messing up England's chances next summer by kicking the back of an opponent's legs.

Party on, Wayne.

Chris Samba

Chris Samba is a bad, bad man who fears no one.

Don't believe it? Watch this video (and laugh at its title).

Nemanja Vidic

We have nothing to add to this video, which is titled "Nemanja Vidic, Serbian Terminator."

Gennaro Gattuso

Arrrr, me mateys! Ahoy!

Me eye don't work so good right now, arrr!

It's the pesky sixth-nerve palsy.

Arrr, me career won't be ended by this little mishap, mateys!

Lee Cattermole

Lee Cattermole sounds like the name of some fourth-year in Gryffindor House at Hogawarts.

But Lee Cattermole is definitely not a cute, cuddly wizard.

Kevin Davies

Kevin Davies doesn't mess around.

Beginning of the match? That's a perfect time for a tackle.

Middle of the match? Ditto.

Actually, for Davies, any time is a good time for a tackle.