Sometimes, it can be difficult for a footballer to control his emotions, and this is never more difficult than when he loses an important match on the field. Here are the top five moments when footballers cried on the pitch.
5. Mario Balotelli
The Italian bad-boy has a reputation for showing very little emotion on the pitch. And in the Euro 2012 semi-final win against Germany, he showed this by deciding not to celebrate his cracking second goal that took Italy to the final of the competition. When Italy lost the final, however, Balotelli was in tears after he was presented with his silver medal and he showed that he really is human after all…
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
Another European championship runner up, Cristiano Ronaldo broke down after the 2004 final loss to Greece. Portugal, who were hosts and favourites to win the tournament, with a golden generation of stars including Figo, Pauleta and Nuno Gomes. However, the unfancied Greek team managed to win the final against all odds and a young Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion after the frustrating match. Fortunately for Ronaldo, he has since gone on to win a host of trophies, including two Champions League titles and three Premier League trophies. However, he has yet to win a major tournament with Portugal, despite becoming the all-time top scorer for his country.
3. David Beckham
"There's only one David Beckham" was what English fans used to chant after the global icon became a key player for his national team and eventually was given the captain's armband. To this day, no footballer has ever reached the heights in terms of marketability that 'Becks' reached in the early 2000s. He enjoyed a fruitful career at clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Ac Milan and Paris Saint Germain, with a spell in the MLS, playing for LA Galaxy. However, when the Englishman called time on his playing career in a match against Brest on 18 May 2013, he shed more than a few tears. Looking back on his career that included a historical treble with Manchester United in 1999 and a La Liga triumph with Real Madrid in 2007, the legend couldn't believe that his career (which spanned almost 20 years) was over.
2. Luis Suarez
Last season's joint European Golden Boot winner, Luis Suarez, was upset to see his Liverpool team throw away the lead that they had accumulated towards the end of the campaign, after succumbing to a 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace which all but handed Manchester City the Premier League title in a late season capitulation. His captain, Steven Gerrard consoled the Uruguayan star, but it wasn't enough to keep Suarez at the club as he completed a move to Barcelona in the following summer.
1. John Terry
In 2008, Chelsea were up against Manchester United in an all-English Champions League final. After goals from Frank Lampard and Cristiano Ronaldo, the match went to penalties and, with Ronaldo missing from the spot, John Terry simply had to convert the final penalty to hand Chelsea their first title. However, he slipped in his run up and skied the spot-kick, with United eventually coming out on top. Terry was in tears after he let his side down and was inconsolable until 2012, when Chelsea beat Bayern (also on penalties). However, Terry missed that final through suspension and still undoubtedly has his demons about the time when he threw away a Champions League trophy.
What are your best moments when footballers cried?
