9 Footballers That Have Stolen Other Players' Girls
By 90min
Footballers are often unfairly portrayed as these shallow celebrities who spend more time caring about hairstyles than the real problems of the world. Yet, some players do deserve the rap they get, as this list proves.
There have been a number of instances of footballers stealing, or at least attempting to, the wives or girlfriends of other professional players.
No need to worry if you can't think of anyone yourself, here is everything you need to know...
1. Mauro Icardi (and Maxi Lopez)
The ultimate example of backstabbing, Mauro Icardi and Maxi Lopez were teammates at Sampdoria when the former started to make moves on Lopez's model wife, Wanda Nara, leading to their eventual divorce in 2013.
Icardi has since married Nara and the pair shamelessly flaunt their happy lives, which consists of two children all over social media. The Inter Milan captain has been snubbed of a handshake from Lopez any time the two have faced each other in the Serie A. Hard to blame him really.
2. Wilfried Zaha (and Kortney Hause)
Zaha, who was once thought to have slept with former manager David Moyes' daughter, was involved in another scandal last summer when he was alleged to have seen the girlfriend of Wolves defender Kourtney Hause.
The Crystal Palace winger, who had a girlfriend himself at the time, was reported to have visited 20-year-old Paige Bannister in her student accommodation, despite her involvement with another footballer.
3. Mesut Ozil (and Christian Lell)
This incident was rather embarrassing for the German international midfielder, after the then Levante defender Chrsitian Lell discovered Ozil flirting with his girlfriend, Melanie Rickinger, after looking through messages on her phone.
The scandal caused the Arsenal playmaker to break up with his girlfriend of the time, Mandy Capistro, while former German under 21 international Lell was arrested after Rickinger charged him with "theft of data".
4. Jordan Ayew (and Afriyie Acquah)
Jordan Ayew, the Swansea City striker, somehow got away with bedding the wife of one of his international teammates for over four years, before the story was leaked on YouTube and all hell broke loose.
The Black Stars striker was involved in a secret relationship with Amanda Acquah, wife of Torino midfielder Afriyie, a which eventually prompted a divorce and an unofficial investigation by the Ghana Football Association.
5. John Terry (and Wayne Bridge)
Without doubt the most famous instance of this kind in English football, John Terry was found to be in an extra-marital affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the girlfriend of former teammate for both club and country Wayne Bridge.
Although the long serving Chelsea skipper did not actually steal Bridge's woman, the incident did cause the former Southampton, Manchester City and West Ham United left back to split up with the mother of his son.
6. Paul Terry (and Dale Roberts)
If one controversial Terry sibling wasn't enough, well here's another. John's elder brother Paul, the lesser known footballer within the family, was also involved in a similar story after being found to having an affair with the fiancee of Rushden & Diamonds teammate Dale Roberts.
Tragically, the former goalkeeper committed suicide not long after the affair came to light, although Terry's involvement has never been proven, it has been highly suspected to have been part of the cause.
7. Christian Keller (and Jonas Borring)
A club captain is supposed to lead by example, but former Randers FC skipper had other ideas after he became romantically involved with the now ex-wife of teammate and winger Jonas Borring.
As a result, Borring refused to play for the Danish club and in a sign of solidarity, the rest of his teammates decided against playing with Keller in the team, forcing Randers to rid themselves of both players in the end.
8. John Harkes (and Eric Wynalda)
Once billed as a "captain for life" for the US national team, Harkes was mysteriously sent home from the squad ahead of the 1998 World Cup, with manager Steve Sampson pointing to "leadership issues" as to his decision.
However, it was later revealed that the central midfielder, who had spells in England with the likes of Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday, was in fact having his way with the wife of international teammate Eric Wynalda. Unsurprisingly the pair got a divorce years later.
9. Thibaut Courtois (and Kevin De Bruyne)
It has somehow been brushed under the carpet, but Thibaut Courtois did have an affair with Caroline Lijnen, the then girlfriend of none other than international teammate Kevin De Bruyne.
Don't feel too bad for the Manchester City star though, Lijnen strategically planned the affair after De Bruyne had been unfaithful himself with her best friend. All's well than ends well though as De Bruyne and Courtois have since reconciled.
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