Football legends who hated training: full list

Why some top players disliked training but excelled

Many of football’s most talented players combined rare natural ability with a relaxed approach to training, producing moments of brilliance despite patchy practice habits. This article expands on the original list and explores why some stars succeeded in spite of, or sometimes because of, their unconventional approaches to training.

Content includes context for fans and followers, and a reminder that any gambling-related material on this page is for adults only. If you choose to bet, do so responsibly and only if you are 18 or over.

“It is a widespread opinion that footballers need to be at their best physical condition at all times, especially during the peak of their career. Due to this, you will see almost every footballer at top clubs taking immense care of their body and spending as much time in training as they can in order to improve their physical condition. However, there are some ultimate football legends who hated training, but they were great despite not doing it enough. BestofBets brings you 10 such great players!

10 football legends who hated training

10. Mesut Ozil:
Our countdown begins with a modern day midfielder, World Cup winner Mesut Ozil. Legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger once said in an interview in 2016 that Ozil despised training and “didn’t practice enough.”
Well, despite Wenger’s comments, Ozil almost never failed to mesmerise fans with his ability and creativity on the ball.

9. Matt Le Tissier:
The ‘God’ of Southampton, Matt Le Tissier was a revelation when he burst on to the scene in English football and while he did succeed at club level, scoring over 160 goals for The Saints, the reason he could make just eight appearances for the England national team was the coaches at the time didn’t feel he trained enough to make the cut!

8. Michael Owen:
While Liverpool legend Michael Owen didn’t showcase any specific training hatred in his career at other clubs, there did come a time during his stint at Stoke City when he absolutely despised training for then manager Tony Pulis.
Speaking on his time at Stoke City, Owen said, “Every day is the same…11 v 11 – constantly, for like an hour. I hated training. That finished me off, that place.”

7. Socrates:
One of the greatest footballers in history, Brazilian legend Socrates was one of the most revolutionary players in the national team, a team that was favourite to win the 1982 World Cup, but didn’t!
Socrates had many other things he wanted to do in life that got in the way of him achieving immortal status in football, one was his hobby to study medicine and he earned a degree in the same while playing professionally.
The biographer of Brazil’s captain for the 1982 edition claimed that Socrates loved to study and hated to train and viewed football as merely a hobby!

6. Gary Lineker:
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp once said, “It is amusing to see Gary looking so fit now because during his peak years as a player his aversion to practice sessions was famous throughout football. He was a terrible trainer. He just liked to come in on Saturday and play.”
It is said that Lineker didn’t take any shots on goal in his pre-match warm-up as he “didn’t want to waste any goals.”

5. Romario:
Another extra-ordinary talent from Brazil, Romario was known to skip training sessions on many occasions at every club he played for in his career.
Once, on being asked about his son Romarinho aiming for a career in football and how it will affect him being in his father’s shadow, Romario went on record to cheekily state, “I’ll go to his matches. But I don’t think I’ll go to his training sessions. I mean, I didn’t even go to my own.

4. Ronaldo Nazario:
El Fenomeno, Ronaldo Nazario is one of the greatest strikers of all time and was part of an incredible Brazil team in the late 90s and early 2000s that won two World Cups, in 1994 and 2002.
On the pitch, Ronaldo showcased magical skill and technique that left the world shocked in awe, but on the training ground, he was last at every single drill!

3. Ronaldinho:
Fourth Brazilian in this incredible list, Ronaldinho was a sight to behold when he was in full flow. It’s almost as if he could conquer the world with the ball at his feet, and he did, he conquered millions of football fans’ hearts who learnt it’s not just about winning and glory, but also about enjoying every single moment with a smile on your face and with the ball at your feet!
But, even a legend like him hated training.
His teammate from his time at PSG, Jerome Leroy once said, “Ronaldinho didn’t train any day of the week but just turned up on Friday ready to play on the Saturday. He’d get changed and he’d go straight to the massage bed to sleep.”

2. George Best:
Footballing icon and one of Manchester United’s greatest legends, George Best had quite an incredible life on and off the pitch!
The Northern Irish legend lived two completely different lives, he was a footballer on the field and lived like a complete rockstar off it!
In January 1972, Best missed a full week’s training at Manchester United to spend time with the winner of Miss Great Britain that year.

1. Wayne Rooney:
While still being a teenager in the mid 2000s, Wayne Rooney was already being touted to be the best footballer in the world and was at that time, rated higher than his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Well, Ronaldo since then moved to newer heights as one of the greatest footballers in history, something Rooney could have also achieved if he took care of his body and didn’t hate training as much as he did.
“Wayne didn’t see the importance of the gym really. He’d say, ‘I am here to play football’. I always wish I could have pushed Wayne that bit further.” said former Manchester United fitness coach Mick Clegg in 2013.

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How natural talent reduced training reliance for players

Some players reach elite levels because of exceptional coordination, decision-making and technical skill, allowing them to perform with less traditional preparation. For followers and historians, that talent creates memorable highlights even when training commitment is low.

However, natural ability alone rarely sustains a long career without attention to fitness and recovery, and many of the names on the list required careful match management to remain effective.

What coaches say about training resistance today

Modern coaches usually look for a balance between individual creativity and structured sessions, and many accept differing approaches if players maintain fitness and professionalism. Closed-mindedness around training has reduced as sports science allows bespoke programmes tailored to each player’s needs.

Club cultures and management attitudes towards practice

Clubs have historically varied in how strictly they enforce training routines, with some managers favouring heavy, regimented sessions and others allowing players latitude to manage themselves. The manager-player relationship often determines whether a talented but low-effort player thrives or falls short.

Recovery, injuries and long term fitness outcomes

Skipping training can increase the risk of soft-tissue injuries and reduce match sharpness, yet targeted recovery and quality over quantity in sessions can offset some risks. Teams that monitor workload closely can help gifted but lazy trainers remain available and effective.

Training methods: how modern regimes differ today

Contemporary regimes emphasise data-led conditioning, personalised load management and sport-specific drills that aim to maximise on-field performance in fewer, smarter sessions. This evolution has made it easier for some high-skill players to maintain levels without excessive repetition in training.

Balancing enjoyment and professionalism in football

Many past greats combined effortless joy with elite performance, and coaches now recognise that player enjoyment supports longevity and creativity. Clubs still expect professional standards, but they increasingly support mental wellbeing alongside physical training.

Impacts of poor training habits on careers and health

While some stars sustained top-level output for years, others saw their careers shortened by injuries, weight issues or loss of form linked to poor training habits. The headline examples provide useful lessons for players and support staff about the limits of natural talent.

For fans and followers this history is interesting, and for those involved in betting it underlines the value of checking current fitness reports and injury news rather than relying solely on reputation. Any betting information here is informational and aimed at helping users make informed choices within safe gambling rules.

How training attitudes influence player availability

Reports about a player’s training attendance or involvement in first-team sessions often inform team selection and odds movement, so punters tracking markets should use such information cautiously. Always verify official club reports and consider how managers tend to treat fringe or veteran players.

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Practical takeaways for followers and bettors

When assessing players known to dislike training, look for recent evidence of conditioning, minutes played and manager comments rather than relying on past anecdotes. Short-term form, match fitness and tactical roles provide better indicators of likely performance than reputation alone.

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Frequently asked questions about players who skip training

Q: Can a player really be world-class without regular training?

A: Exceptional natural talent can produce world-class performances, but sustainable excellence usually requires disciplined fitness and recovery; individual cases vary widely.

Q: Does training avoidance always shorten a player’s career?

A: Not always, but poor preparation increases injury risk and can accelerate decline, so many players who skipped training saw earlier drops in form or availability.

Q: Should punters consider training reports when betting on matches?

A: Yes, up-to-date information on fitness, training attendance and manager comments can help assess squad selection and match fitness, but no outcome is guaranteed.

Q: Are clubs more flexible with training today than in the past?

A: Generally yes; modern sports science and monitoring mean training is more individualised, but clubs still expect professional standards and accountability.

Q: Is it responsible to use anecdotes about player laziness as a betting edge?

A: Anecdotes alone are unreliable; bettors should use verified, current sources and never stake more than they can afford to lose. Gambling is for 18+ only.

Q: What advice is there for young players who dislike training?

A: Balance enjoyment with professional habits, focus on recovery and technique, and work with coaches to find tailored routines that maintain performance and health.

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A: You can explore current bookmaker offers through comparison tools if you choose to bet responsibly; gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only.

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