Footballers now have the means to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. They earn a lot from their salaries along with other sponsorship and endorsement deals, making them some of the highest paid athletes in the world.

While their demanding football schedule requires them to maintain a certain amount of discipline, they are all human. Like us, sometimes they like to relax and take it easy. While some spend quality time with family and friends, others like to live the party life.

There have been many famous players for partying too much off the field. But there have also been many players who can attack with balance, let loose and at the same time be good at their profession.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at 5 famous football players who like to party off the field.

5. Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is famous in world football for his antics both on and off the field. He has always led a lavish lifestyle and even during his peak years, the Italian striker never shied away from partying.

Back in 2014 when he was still playing for Liverpool, Balotelli had to accept defeat against Chelsea by partying until 4:30 a.m. in London. And yet, Balotelli once dragged his friends to his private room at Melwood (Liverpool training center) to drink until 2 am. It is worth mentioning that Balotelli’s secret party took place right before the trip to Basel in the Champions League.

Balotelli never really tried to become a top star in the world despite his talent and being used. His weird personality, often causing trouble, and always being tired of parties with beautiful girls have stunted this player.

4. Phil Foden

Among the current young Premier League stars, Phil Foden is famous for his love of partying. Foden and team-mate Jack Grealish were pictured at a party at a nightclub after Manchester City beat Leeds United 7-0 in December 2021.

Both players scored in that match but were demoted to the bench for City’s 4-0 win over Newcastle United the following weekend. Manchester City’s staff and coaching staff were said to be unimpressed with the condition of both players when they arrived at the training ground. Immediately afterwards, they were punished by coach Pep Guardiola and removed from the squad.

Foden was also sent home from the England national team in September 2020, when he and Greenwood tried to sneak into four girls’ hotel room, according to DailyMail (via SportBible). The two girls eventually went into their room and posted a clip to Snapchat where Greenwood and Foden could be seen hanging out with them.

COVID-19 regulations are strict and players are not allowed to break the bubble. Unfortunately, Foden still violated, but fortunately, he still knew when to stop. Unfortunately for Greenwood, he now doesn’t know when he will return to the field after being suspected of raping his girlfriend.

3. Jack Grealish

As mentioned above, Jack Grealish loves to party. The former Aston Villa player had a tense split after Manchester City beat Liverpool to win the Premier League on the final day of the 2021/22 season.

As soon as he had his summer vacation, he and his friends went to Marbella and Ibiza, two famous tourist islands in Spain. Of course, Grealish’s party is not complete without beautiful people and champagne. Arriving in America, Grealish and his friends drank nearly 120 bottles of wine and almost returned to the hotel when the clock turned 4-5 am.

Grealish responded to his critics as follows: “I do what I like. I am the most expensive English player. I personally know what people say about me. However, so what? I won the championship, made my dream come true, why can’t I go and rest?

2. Marco Verratti

Marco Verratti is one of the best midfielders of the modern era. The versatile Italian is a technically gifted playmaker who also possesses unreal vision and the ability to finish spectacularly on a regular basis. But Verratti does all of this while taking a no-holds-barred approach to life off the field.

After Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Manchester United in the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2018/19 Champions League, French football expert Julien Laurens shed light on Verratt’s lifestyle. He claimed that the former Pescara midfielder smoked, drank and went out almost every day of the week. That is not the living habit of a top player.

“For me, Verratti is not strong enough, he rarely reaches 100% physical strength. Because he only played one match last month. Last week, he partied until 6am on Neymar’s birthday. He smokes, drinks and goes out almost every day of the week.”

“I think if Verratti had a lifestyle like Cristiano Ronaldo’s, I don’t know where he would be compared to world-class midfielders”.

“And the special thing is that with his lifestyle, he can still create a performance like tonight. It’s unbelievable”.

1. Neymar Jr.

Brazilian soccer player Neymar is one of the highest paid athletes in the world. He was a phenomenal player and his life away from the field was as colorful as it was. The 30-year-old is known for throwing lavish parties with posh guests and he has also received a lot of criticism for the same.

But in an interview with French radio station TF1, Neymar said he would never stop partying: “Who doesn’t want to party? I know when to party and when not to. People think I’m immature, but the opposite is true. I have been playing football for many years. If you choose to spend time focusing on football, your mind will go crazy. I know when to rest and relax. I won’t stop partying.”