Ranking 12 Stars Who Refused to Play for Their Clubs
Football is full of moments that go beyond skill and tactics — moments of conflict, defiance, and raw emotion. Some players have made headlines not for what they did on the pitch, but for refusing to step onto it at all. Whether due to contract disputes, disagreements with managers, or personal principles, these decisions often left lasting marks on careers and club histories. Here are 11 notable cases where stars turned their backs, at least temporarily, on their own teams.
Aaron Ramsdale – Sheffield United
Ramsdale refused to train or play after Sheffield United turned down multiple bids for him. Frustrated by broken promises about a potential transfer, he skipped two days of training and told the manager he would not play against West Brom. Just before a match, he was already on his way to complete a move to Arsenal.
William Gallas – Chelsea
Chelsea accused Gallas of refusing to play and even threatening to score own goals if forced onto the pitch. The French defender allegedly skipped pre-season and resisted joining the squad to push for a move. Shortly afterward, he left Stamford Bridge for rivals Arsenal, sparking a heated public dispute.
Sebastien Squillaci – Sevilla
Squillaci was set to start a Champions League qualifier against Braga but pulled out before kickoff. Reports suggested he didn’t want to be cup-tied ahead of a potential Arsenal transfer. The move went through soon after, but his last act at Sevilla left a sour taste for fans.
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Marcos Rojo – Sporting CP
When Rojo learned of Manchester United’s interest, he went on strike to force a transfer. The Argentine admitted he refused to train, unable to focus on anything but the move. Juan Sebastián Verón eventually convinced him to return temporarily, and the transfer was finalized.
Naby Keita – Werder Bremen
Keita refused to board the team bus after finding out he wasn’t in the starting lineup against Bayer Leverkusen. The club responded by banning him for the rest of the season, fining him, and excluding him from first-team facilities. Keita insisted on his innocence, but his relationship with Bremen was effectively over.
Javier Mascherano – Liverpool
In 2010, Mascherano refused to play against Manchester City after Liverpool blocked a move to Barcelona. The Argentine midfielder felt betrayed, claiming the club broke their promise to let him leave for family reasons. The act was his way of forcing their hand, and he eventually got his move to Spain.
Paul Scholes – Manchester United
Scholes refused to play in a League Cup tie against Arsenal after being left out of a previous match. He later admitted he was young, stubborn, and wrong to do so. Sir Alex Ferguson fined him up to two weeks’ wages, but the incident remained a rare blemish in an otherwise legendary career.
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Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
Sterling refused to join Liverpool’s 2015 pre-season tour amid heavy transfer speculation linking him to Manchester City. Claiming illness, he skipped training sessions as the deal was negotiated. He completed his move shortly afterward, though some Liverpool fans have never forgiven him.
Diego Costa – Chelsea
After Antonio Conte told Costa via text message that he was not part of his plans, the striker refused to return from holiday in Brazil. Costa stayed away despite club orders, was fined, and never played for Chelsea again. He rejoined Atlético Madrid the following January.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
In October 2022, Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham. He left the pitch before the final whistle, leading to a suspension and training ban. The fallout was one of the final acts before his departure from Old Trafford.
Carlos Tevez – Manchester City
During a Champions League match against Bayern Munich in 2011, Tevez refused to come on when asked by Roberto Mancini. He was suspended, trained alone, and returned to Argentina. Months later, he apologized, rejoined the squad, and played a key role in City’s first Premier League title win.
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Alexander Isak – Newcastle United
In a stunning turn of events, Alexander Isak reportedly informed Newcastle United he would no longer play for the club in order to force a transfer to Liverpool. Frustrated by stalled negotiations and eager to join the Reds, the Swedish striker refused to take part in training sessions. The standoff has placed huge pressure on Newcastle’s hierarchy, with fans split over whether the club should cash in or hold firm.
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