Top 5 Footballers who smokes occasionally

World 'No Tobacco Day' is being celebrated on the 31st of May, the day is being observed to inform the public about the negative impact of tobacco use, tobacco companies' business methods, what WHO is doing to combat the tobacco epidemic, and what people all across the globe can do to assert their right to health and good life while also protecting future generations. In the sporting world as well there are athletes who smoke occasionally. 

In the footballing world, some footballers and coaches have been spotted smoking and there has been a historical controversy over smoking of the coaches inside the pitches. Football managers and players would smoke on the sidelines. However, the rise of anti-smoking sentiment has resulted in numerous regulations around them. Smoking is now mostly prohibited at stadiums across the world, however, some individual players and management continue to smoke.

Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola have been often seen smoking outside the pitch and some of their videos and images have been viral on social media as well. However, players need to be careful while doing the same. In the article, we will be looking for the footballers who smoke occasionally. 

Here are the top 5 Footballers who smoke occasionally

5. Mario Balotelli 

Mario Balotelli has always been the bad boy of football for his on and off-the-field incidents. The Italian striker has been often seen in controversies, but his one habit of smoking has led to the decline of a promising footballer. As he was banned from smoking and having extravagant haircuts during his time at AC Milan. However the habit did not go away and he had short spells in big clubs, but could not showcase his full potential to world football. 

4. Gerard Pique 

The former FC Barcelona defender has been one of the finest of this generation. Pique recently has been involved in some controversial issues, but the defender has been often seen smoking after the games and one of his images after the UCL win with a cigar in his hand went viral on social media. He has been spotted smoking in the cafes as well, for stress relief.

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3. Gianluigi Buffon 

The Italian World Cup winner has been one of the finest goalkeepers of all time. Buffon had a prolonged career of more than two decades and just only retired in 2023. The 46-year-old footballer was spotted severally enjoying a blunt, especially after a victory in his games. But the fact of his smoking did not affect his game as he led high time in his prime days and after that as well as he played over 750 games for the clubs across all competitions. 

2. Neymar Jr

The Brazilian footballers are often seen living an extravagant life outside the football field, doing parties, smoking and other activities as well. Neymar Jr is one of such footballers who has a luxurious lifestyle outside the footballing pitch as he has been spotted partying and smoking as well. However, the footballer in his prime was amazing to watch with the skills he possessed. 

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1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic 

The Swedish footballer has been a bad boy in the footballing world as the striker is known for his acrobatic strikes and volleys, technique and ball control, as well as his physical dominance. Ibra is one of the most decorated footballers in the world, but the footballer has a bad habit of smoking cigars as he was spotted several times smoking and pictured after AC Milan won the Serie A trophy as well.