Are there footballers who smoke? Find out

• Smoking is an unhealthy habit that one wouldn’t expect a footballer to be doing
• Back in the 2oth century smoking wasn’t a big deal in the football world
• Italian legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been caught enjoying cigarette here and there

Smoking is an unhealthy habit that one wouldn’t expect a footballer to be doing. But as shocking as it may be, there are actually footballers who smoke.

Back in the 2oth century smoking wasn’t a big deal in the football world. In fact, managers used to light their cigarettes in the dugout and players could also be seen enjoying the occasional puff. However, things have changed in recent years, with smoking being seen as one of the worst things that an athlete can do to themselves. But some have still been seen smoking. On that note, here are seven famous footballers who smoke:

1. Wojciech Szczesny

Wojciech Szczesny. Photo/ The Sun.

Starting our list of footballers who smoke is Wojciech Szczesny. A very talented goalkeeper, Szczesny has been caught smoking several times.

Back in 2015 after Arsenal lost 2-0 to Southampton in a Premier League match, Szczesny decided to go smoke in the bathroom, something which goes against club rules. The incident escalated and the now Juventus man was fined $20000.

2. Mario Balotelli

One of the most controversial players of all time, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Mario Balotelli is among footballers who smoke. During his time at Liverpool, the Italian was caught smoking on his balcony and the English media never gave him an easy time for that.

When AC Milan signed Mario, there was an agreement that the player was not to smoke and drink on limitations.

3. Gianluigi Buffon

Italian legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been caught enjoying cigarette here and there. However, he has put discipline in his smoking and was able to achieve success during his playing days.

Buffon won numerous trophies playing for Juve an PSG. The retired goalkeeper also won the FIFA World Cup with the Italy national team.

4. Jack Wilshere

Another former Arsenal player who happens to be among footballers who smoke is Jack Wilshere. Now coaching at Arsenal’s academy, Wilshere was given a hard time by the media during his playing days after he was pictured smoking. The picture was featured in newspapers but that never bothered Wilshere. His main concern was how Arsene Wenger would react.

Jack Wilshere. Photo/ Eurosport.

Surprisingly, Wenger didn’t judge him. According to goal90, the former Arsenal boss told Wilshere: “Don’t worry, when I have a drink, I like a cigarette as well.”

Wilshere was once again pictured smoking leading to another round of criticism, especially because of how Wenger handled the incident the last time it happened. This time, the former England international issued an apology.

5. Dimitar Berbatov

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has been caught smoking several times. At one point he posted a picture with a cigarette in his mouth but when asked about it he said he “pretended” to smoke because he looked cute doing it.

6. Marco Verratti

Marco Verratti. Photo/ Marca.com.

Well, you can’t talk about footballers who smoke and forget about Marco Verratti. The midfield maestro, best known for his time with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), has been smoking several times.

In August 2022, there was a video that emerged on the internet of Verratti smoking while arriving at the training centre. There have also been numerous reports suggesting that Verratti likes to party a lot.

7. Radja Nainggolan 

If there is a footballer who doesn’t care about other people’s opinion then it’s Radja Nainggolan. The Belgian smokes and has never hidden it. When asked about smoking in a past interview, he said that he is not ashamed of smoking despite knowing he should be setting a good example by not doing it.

During his time at AS Roma, Nainggolan often excused himself from his teammates in the dressing room to go smoke. But the never stopped him from delivering robust performances on the pitch. The 35-year-old currently plays for Liga 1 club Bhayangkara.

8. Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney. beIN SPORTS

Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly one of the best footballers of his generation. However, controversies followed him throughout his career, from scandals of infidelity and engaging with prostitutes to excessive partying. But one thing that made him receive a lot of backlash was his smoking habit. The former Manchester United man smoked a lot in his early 20s.