Mo Salah 3rd: 15 Most Selfish Players in World Football Named and Ranked by AI

Tennis, golf, and boxing are a few activities that come to mind where selfishness and greed are valued. Football, on the other hand, is a team sport with eleven distinct players—not counting the thousands of fans and those in the dugout—all working toward the same objective. However, this does not imply that self-obsessed players are entirely exempt from the beautiful game.

However, is it always a terrible thing? The degree to which players go above and above to become the best of the best, or at least in those discussions, depends on your definition of greatness.

Many football players, both current and former, have built their success on self-imposed tenacity and avarice. The mavericks of the football world are commonplace, despite how annoying they can be, particularly when they are detrimental. We’ve used artificial intelligence (AI) to narrow it down to the top 15 selfish football players of all time since certain players can’t help but focus on themselves.

15Sadio Mane

AI stated: “Tantrums over subs and low assists (just 2 in a poor 2022/23); his Liverpool fallout with Salah cemented the rep.”

At the height of his abilities, Sadio Mane, who is currently 33 years old, was incredibly talented at Liverpool. The Anfield supporters enjoyed watching him every week when he combined with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, but some would argue that his on-field accomplishments merely overshadowed his selfishness. But was he a selfless person? Many would disagree.

Some others blame his outburst in December 2020 after being replaced by Jurgen Klopp, even though he was frequently seen as a team player during his tenure at trophy-laden Anfield. Although whose side you are/were on is objective, his conflicts with the previously mentioned Salah can also be ascribed to the fact that he might be perceived as selfish. However, AI also cited his lack of assists throughout the 2022–2023 campaign.

14Matheus Cunha

The AI stated: “Hoards possession like a ‘selfish CR7 clone’; previous games show him ignoring open runs for low-percentage shots.”

After earning a reputation for leading the attack for a struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers team, Matheus Cunha frequently had to wear the Old Gold in order to secure a result. Naturally, the Brazilian’s selfish reputation soon followed. Now, he is the center of attention for Manchester United.

He has given Ruben Amorim’s front line a much-needed sense of vigor since his transfer, but that can be mistaken for selfishness. Cunha frequently chooses to shoot instead of pass to a teammate since he isn’t scared to pick up the ball and easily thread past the defenders. Still, a great player

13Mario Balotelli

What AI said: “Off-pitch antics (e.g., contract disputes) and on-pitch showboating continue; Jamie Carragher cites his self-interest as ongoing.”

During his breakthrough time, Mario Balotelli, the quintessential bad boy of football, was one of the most exciting players in the beautiful game, but it never did the Italian striker justice. In order to succeed, he instead resorted to avarice, and that doesn’t always mean his on-field antics. He became well-known for his off-field antics, but not in a positive way.

Balotelli was never far from controversy, but after many realized he wouldn’t live up to the hype, he finally fell into obscurity. Because of his actions, he frequently caused problems for his clubs, including Manchester City and Liverpool. Undoubtedly a loose cannon, the 35-year-old’s demise was wholly self-inflicted.

12Rafael Leao

According to AI: “Endless dribbles without payoff; called ‘most selfish athlete’ seen, prioritising flair over team progress.”

It’s difficult to play for a team that has gone from being one of the best in Europe to being a complete afterthought, but Rafael Leao deserves a spot on this list of greats because he refuses to pass when the opportunity arises. Amazingly, though, he thinks that if he were more self-centered, he could become as good as Cristiano Ronaldo.

The perception of Leao’s perceived selfishness, particularly in the final third, would rapidly fade if the Portuguese wideman were scoring a ton of goals, but that isn’t always the case. This is because he is not very good at scoring goals, as evidenced by the 73 goals he has scored in 264 AC Milan games as of this writing.

11Jeremy Doku

What the AI said: “Runs counters solo for 30+ yards, losing possession; labelled ‘worst and most selfish’ by fans for amateurish ball retention.”

One of those players who can outperform defenders is Jeremy Doku. With relative ease, too, as supporters have witnessed numerous times when the rival team’s players are forced to chase the Belgian down the wing in order to avoid embarrassment. It’s a common sight when watching the 23-year-old play for Manchester City or Belgium because he has a lot of speed.

But that also brings with it criticism. He wants to create an opening for himself to run into, so he’s eager to hang onto the ball—often for too long—but when his risk doesn’t pay off, he frequently ends up looking foolish. That occurs far too frequently for him to not be viewed as self-centered.

10Cole Palmer

According to AI: “Hoards penalties and set-pieces, frustrating teammates; compared unfavorably to unselfish creators like Hazard or Messi.”

Cole Palmer is bound to be self-centered because he is the man Chelsea turns to for most of their innovative play. The Englishman, who is widely considered to be among the top penalty takers in international football, is superior to the others in his skill set and has shown why Pep Guardiola was foolish to let him go in the summer of 2023.

Palmer has stood up to the plate on innumerable occasions when the Blues needed him most, but it’s unclear where Chelsea would be without his set-piece genius. His capacity to dominate games is one of his strong points, but his haughty demeanor raises concerns about whether his form and developing connections with teammates can be sustained.

9Noni Madueke

What AI had to say: “Awful decision-making—dribbles into dead ends instead of passing; criticised as the” most selfish “in PL for lacking end product.”

Noni Madueke, who built a name for himself at Chelsea, another London team, appears like a player reborn under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Throughout his Stamford Bridge tenure, he made dubious decisions, best exemplified by choosing unnecessary runs down the line while disregarding calls from teammates.

AI was spot on when he pointed out that many people think he is selfish on the field because of his final product—or lack thereof. Martin Keown, who is rarely a goal threat, exposed the now-Arsenal player by implying that his selfishness was the reason he was concerned about his arrival. It remains to be seen, though, if he can disprove his countryman.

8Alejandro Garnacho

What the AI said: “Refuses simple passes (e.g., ignoring overlaps from full-backs); young but already notorious for selfish counters that fizzle out.”

Alejandro Garnacho, who was formerly thought of as Manchester United’s next big thing, transferred to Chelsea in the summer of 2025 because he believed he should be given more playing time. Although it hasn’t worked out for him so far, his selfishness overcame him when there were better possibilities available.

Surprisingly, from the standpoint of the field, the young player has chosen to go alone numerous times in defiance of a roving full-back. Usually, the result is not favorable. Garnacho gave the Argentine the excitement he needed when he made his breakthrough at Old Trafford, but he quickly fell down the hierarchy, which is also the case in west London.

7Bruno Fernandes

What AI stated: “Takes every set-piece and shot, even suboptimal ones; his frustration when benched exposes a” me-first “approach in tight games.”

The most significant acquisition made by Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure is without a doubt Bruno Fernandes. It’s not worth considering where they would be without the talismanic attacking midfielder, but he is undoubtedly a contentious figure among the supporters, particularly when he starts playing speculative balls again.

Fernandes, a great opportunity maker, has already been exposed for his petulance, which includes, for instance, raising his arms in the air when he doesn’t get his way. He can occasionally be viewed as selfish just for that. On the other hand, the 31-year-old’s exceptional work ethic cannot be discredited.

6Erling Haaland

“Pure poacher mentality,” AI stated. He frequently avoids link-up play, which works well but alienates other creators.

Erling Haaland is more than just a prolific goal scorer, although his ability to put the ball in the net is his most alluring quality. The Leeds-born striker has consistently scored goals regardless of the team he has led the line for, and teams, including Pep Guardiola’s team, have frequently positioned themselves to take advantage of the bagsman’s propensity to shift and fire at will.

And, well, if he weren’t so self-centered, would he be such a great record-breaker? The answer is straightforward: no. Like his teammates, Haaland is well aware of his strengths, and the best way to win trophies is to use him in a way that benefits everyone. It would be considered more of a problem if the free-scoring, robotic frontman weren’t so prevalent in front of goal.

5Vinicius Jr

What AI stated: “Ball-hogging in key moments and skipping the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala (leading teammates to boycott) highlight his individual glory chase.”

Vinicius Jr. and Rodri were the two names that players and fans were comparing as they prepared for the 2024 Ballon d’Or presentation. When the former and his teammates learned who would be winning, they didn’t even go to the ceremony; the latter accepted the prize. It exemplified the Brazilian’s focus on personal achievement.

That isn’t always a bad quality. However, there is a strong argument that he should be nearing the top of this 15-man list given his self-obsessed personality and his desire to pull off a game-winning moment rather than just move the ball on.

4Neymar Jr

According to AI: “Dribbles excessively, frustrating teammates like Mbappé; his showboating and injury-prone focus on flair over function persisted in Saudi.”

In his glory, Neymar Jr. embodied all the wonderful aspects of sport. Every week, the quick-footed Brazilian’s games were captured on camera, from a daring pass to a spectacular moment of magic. Furthermore, considering that football is really a team activity, the latter frequently gave people the false impression.

Neymar would frequently focus too much on flaunting his South American flair rather than keeping things simple, especially when he was playing brilliantly for Barcelona. Admittedly, he had a rather high success rate, but not always for the better. That might have been the reason he never won a Ballon d’Or.

3Mohamed Salah

Souness called him “the most selfish player I’ve ever witnessed,” while AI described him as “legendary for disappearing in crucial moments and quarreling over passes (e.g., with Mané).”

Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, Mohamed Salah has been a surefire goal scorer when playing on the right flank. Even though he has broken numerous goalscoring records in the eight years since then, the Egyptian’s quest for greatness has frequently been marred by moments of avarice.

Tennis, golf, and boxing are a few activities that come to mind where selfishness and greed are valued. Football, on the other hand, is a team sport with eleven distinct players—not counting the thousands of fans and those in the dugout—all working toward the same objective. However, this does not imply that self-obsessed players are entirely exempt from the beautiful game.

However, is it always a terrible thing? The degree to which players go above and above to become the best of the best, or at least in those discussions, depends on your definition of greatness.

Many football players, both current and former, have built their success on self-imposed tenacity and avarice. The mavericks of the football world are commonplace, despite how annoying they can be, particularly when they are detrimental. We’ve used artificial intelligence (AI) to narrow it down to the top 15 selfish football players of all time since certain players can’t help but focus on themselves.

The fifteenth Sadio Mane
AI stated: “Tantrums over subs and low assists (just 2 in a poor 2022/23); his Liverpool fallout with Salah cemented the rep.”

At the height of his abilities, Sadio Mane, who is currently 33 years old, was incredibly talented at Liverpool. The Anfield supporters enjoyed watching him every week when he combined with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, but some would argue that his on-field accomplishments merely overshadowed his selfishness. But was he a selfless person? Many would disagree.

Some others blame his outburst in December 2020 after being replaced by Jurgen Klopp, even though he was frequently seen as a team player during his tenure at trophy-laden Anfield. Although whose side you are/were on is objective, his conflicts with the previously mentioned Salah can also be ascribed to the fact that he might be perceived as selfish. However, AI also cited his lack of assists throughout the 2022–2023 campaign.

The fourteenth is Matheus Cunha.
The AI stated: “Hoards possession like a ‘selfish CR7 clone’; previous games show him ignoring open runs for low-percentage shots.”

After earning a reputation for leading the attack for a struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers team, Matheus Cunha frequently had to wear the Old Gold in order to secure a result. Naturally, the Brazilian’s selfish reputation soon followed. Now, he is the center of attention for Manchester United.

He has given Ruben Amorim’s front line a much-needed sense of vigor since his transfer, but that can be mistaken for selfishness. Cunha frequently chooses to shoot instead of pass to a teammate since he isn’t scared to pick up the ball and easily thread past the defenders. Still, a great player.

13 Mario Balotelli
Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli
What AI said: “Off-pitch antics (e.g., contract disputes) and on-pitch showboating continue; Jamie Carragher cites his self-interest as ongoing.”

During his breakthrough time, Mario Balotelli, the quintessential bad boy of football, was one of the most exciting players in the beautiful game, but it never did the Italian striker justice. In order to succeed, he instead resorted to avarice, and that doesn’t always mean his on-field antics. He became well-known for his off-field antics, but not in a positive way.

Balotelli was never far from controversy, but after many realized he wouldn’t live up to the hype, he finally fell into obscurity. Because of his actions, he frequently caused problems for his clubs, including Manchester City and Liverpool. Undoubtedly a loose cannon, the 35-year-old’s demise was wholly self-inflicted.

12 Rafael Leao
AC Milan’s Rafael Leao in action
According to AI: “Endless dribbles without payoff; called ‘most selfish athlete’ seen, prioritising flair over team progress.”

It’s difficult to play for a team that has gone from being one of the best in Europe to being a complete afterthought, but Rafael Leao deserves a spot on this list of greats because he refuses to pass when the opportunity arises. Amazingly, though, he thinks that if he were more self-centered, he could become as good as Cristiano Ronaldo.

The perception of Leao’s perceived selfishness, particularly in the final third, would rapidly fade if the Portuguese wideman were scoring a ton of goals, but that isn’t always the case. This is because he is not very good at scoring goals, as evidenced by the 73 goals he has scored in 264 AC Milan games as of this writing.

11 Jeffrey Doku Jeffrey Doku
What the AI said: “Runs counters solo for 30+ yards, losing possession; labelled ‘worst and most selfish’ by fans for amateurish ball retention.”

One of those players who can outperform defenders is Jeremy Doku. With relative ease, too, as supporters have witnessed numerous times when the rival team’s players are forced to chase the Belgian down the wing in order to avoid embarrassment. It’s a common sight when watching the 23-year-old play for Manchester City or Belgium because he has a lot of speed.

But that also brings with it criticism. He wants to create an opening for himself to run into, so he’s eager to hang onto the ball—often for too long—but when his risk doesn’t pay off, he frequently ends up looking foolish. That occurs far too frequently for him to not be viewed as self-centered.

10. Cole Palmer
Chelsea Premier League player Cole Palmer
According to AI: “Hoards penalties and set-pieces, frustrating teammates; compared unfavorably to unselfish creators like Hazard or Messi.”

Cole Palmer is bound to be self-centered because he is the man Chelsea turns to for most of their innovative play. The Englishman, who is widely considered to be among the top penalty takers in international football, is superior to the others in his skill set and has shown why Pep Guardiola was foolish to let him go in the summer of 2023.

Palmer has stood up to the plate on innumerable occasions when the Blues needed him most, but it’s unclear where Chelsea would be without his set-piece genius. His capacity to dominate games is one of his strong points, but his haughty demeanor raises concerns about whether his form and developing connections with teammates can be sustained.

9 Noni Madueke
Madueke noni
What AI had to say: “Awful decision-making—dribbles into dead ends instead of passing; criticised as the” most selfish “in PL for lacking end product.”

Noni Madueke, who built a name for himself at Chelsea, another London team, appears like a player reborn under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Throughout his Stamford Bridge tenure, he made dubious decisions, best exemplified by choosing unnecessary runs down the line while disregarding calls from teammates.

AI was spot on when he pointed out that many people think he is selfish on the field because of his final product—or lack thereof. Martin Keown, who is rarely a goal threat, exposed the now-Arsenal player by implying that his selfishness was the reason he was concerned about his arrival. It remains to be seen, though, if he can disprove his countryman.

8. Garnacho Alejandro
Alejandro Garnacho
What the AI said: “Refuses simple passes (e.g., ignoring overlaps from full-backs); young but already notorious for selfish counters that fizzle out.”

Alejandro Garnacho, who was formerly thought of as Manchester United’s next big thing, transferred to Chelsea in the summer of 2025 because he believed he should be given more playing time. Although it hasn’t worked out for him so far, his selfishness overcame him when there were better possibilities available.

Surprisingly, from the standpoint of the field, the young player has chosen to go alone numerous times in defiance of a roving full-back. Usually, the result is not favorable. The Argentine’s breakthrough at Old Trafford came during a period where excitement was needed; Garnacho provided that, but he soon slipped down the pecking order, and that’s also the case in west London.

7
Bruno Fernandes
bruno fernandes man utd
What AI stated: “Takes every set-piece and shot, even suboptimal ones; his frustration when benched exposes a” me-first “approach in tight games.”

The most significant acquisition made by Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure is without a doubt Bruno Fernandes. It’s not worth considering where they would be without the talismanic attacking midfielder, but he is undoubtedly a contentious figure among the supporters, particularly when he starts playing speculative balls again.

Fernandes, a great opportunity maker, has already been exposed for his petulance, which includes, for instance, raising his arms in the air when he doesn’t get his way. He can occasionally be viewed as selfish just for that. On the other hand, the 31-year-old’s exceptional work ethic cannot be discredited.

6
Erling Haaland
erling haaland manchester city
“Pure poacher mentality,” AI stated. He frequently avoids link-up play, which works well but alienates other creators.

Erling Haaland is more than just a prolific goal scorer, although his ability to put the ball in the net is his most alluring quality. The Leeds-born striker has consistently scored goals regardless of the team he has led the line for, and teams, including Pep Guardiola’s team, have frequently positioned themselves to take advantage of the bagsman’s propensity to shift and fire at will.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: With 36 goals, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland holds the record for the most goals scored in single Premier League season.

And, well, if he weren’t so self-centered, would he be such a great record-breaker? The answer is straightforward: no. Like his teammates, Haaland is well aware of his strengths, and the best way to win trophies is to use him in a way that benefits everyone. It would be considered more of a problem if the free-scoring, robotic frontman weren’t so prevalent in front of goal.

5
Vinicius Jr
vinicius jr
What AI stated: “Ball-hogging in key moments and skipping the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala (leading teammates to boycott) highlight his individual glory chase.”

Vinicius Jr. and Rodri were the two names that players and fans were comparing as they prepared for the 2024 Ballon d’Or presentation. When the former and his teammates learned who would be winning, they didn’t even go to the ceremony; the latter accepted the prize. It exemplified the Brazilian’s focus on personal achievement.

That isn’t always a bad quality. However, there is a strong argument that he should be nearing the top of this 15-man list given his self-obsessed personality and his desire to pull off a game-winning moment rather than just move the ball on.

4
Neymar Jr
neymar jr santos
According to AI: “Dribbles excessively, frustrating teammates like Mbappé; his showboating and injury-prone focus on flair over function persisted in Saudi.”

In his glory, Neymar Jr. embodied all the wonderful aspects of sport. Every week, the quick-footed Brazilian’s games were captured on camera, from a daring pass to a spectacular moment of magic. Furthermore, considering that football is really a team activity, the latter frequently gave people the false impression.

Neymar would frequently focus too much on flaunting his South American flair rather than keeping things simple, especially when he was playing brilliantly for Barcelona. Admittedly, he had a rather high success rate, but not always for the better. That might have been the reason he never won a Ballon d’Or.

3
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah before the match vs Manchester United
Souness called him “the most selfish player I’ve ever witnessed,” while AI described him as “legendary for disappearing in crucial moments and quarreling over passes (e.g., with Mané).”

Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, Mohamed Salah has been a surefire goal scorer when playing on the right flank. Even though he has broken numerous goalscoring records in the eight years since then, the Egyptian’s quest for greatness has frequently been marred by moments of avarice.

😡 “My main concern is Salah… I can’t stand seeing on the pitch!” 😤 “He’s too busy trying to have the last word in every game!” This #LFC fan is done with Mo Salah because he’s too selfish! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/CjVfVN15nd — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 24, 2025
Graeme Souness, as mentioned, didn’t mince his words when slamming Salah for how selfish he can be; and that is a common theme of his time on Merseyside. On more times than we care to mention, the seasoned winger has opted to shoot instead of passing to an open teammate. He, obviously, wants to do all he can in the Reds’ pursuit of glory, but it’d be remiss to ignore his selfish traits.

2Cristiano Ronaldo

The words of AI: “Iconic goal-hunger leads to ignored tap-ins for teammates; off-pitch, his Ballon d’Or rants and transfer demands prioritise personal legacy over team success.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is a born winner, so it’s understandable why accusations of greed have weighted him down. Despite being a great advantage to the Portuguese talisman, who is just a few goals away from hitting 1,000 goals in his club career, it has frequently come at the expense of his team’s chances as a whole.

A 40-year-old Ronaldo frequently raises his arms in the air when a teammate, whether from his club or his country, misses a pass to him, especially in the later years of his career. Being a team player is crucial, but the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker occasionally has other priorities. He has occasionally acted negatively due to his fixation with being the greatest of the best.

1Kylian Mbappe

What the AI said: “Frequently called the” most selfish player in the world “for dribbling into traffic instead of squaring easy passes, as seen in multiple PSG counters and early Real Madrid games; his ego has disrupted team harmony post-transfer.”

Kylian Mbappe, who is widely considered to be among the world’s best strikers, made his debut while playing for AS Monaco by scoring goals at an alarming rate. His slow start in Real Madrid colors (by his lucky standards, at least) was quickly forgotten when he started to make an impact in front of goal again.

Mbappe, who was born and reared in Paris, is perceived as the successor to the former Ronaldo in the Spanish city, which carries with it an air of conceit. The discussion might shift once he’s won a ton of trophies with the European powerhouses, but for the time being, it’s fair to say that the Frenchman’s style has some selfishness.