The GOATS of soccer have three things in common—they train hard, play harder, and have some sort of weird pre-game ritual. Behind all the titles, records, and Ballon D’ors, there are quirky habits that might raise eyebrows, but clearly unlocked some psychological hacks that make great players great. Here’s a look at some weird, wacky yet winning pre-game rituals from some of the best footballers who’ve ever walked the Earth. 

 1. Chocolate Bar Feast

Image Source: British GQ

Player: George Best  

Ritual: Before every game, George Best would gobble a whole chocolate bar, convinced that it gave him that extra burst of energy he needed to dominate on the field. Maybe it’s not exactly the nutrition advice you’d get today, but hey, it seemed to work for him. Maybe the occasional indulgence will help you too?

Accomplishments: He wasn’t just known for his style off the pitch—Best scored two league titles and a European Cup with Manchester United, plus he scored over 150 goals for the club. Not bad for someone who fueled up on candy.

 2. No Pre-Match Shooting

Image Source: Gary Linekar

Player: Gary Lineker  

Ritual: Lineker had a rather quirky practice—he avoided taking shots during warmups because he thought it might “waste” his goals. He saved all his firepower for when it mattered most: during the match itself.  

Accomplishments: With over 220 goals and a World Cup Golden Boot in 1986, it’s safe to say his superstition didn’t hold him back.

 3. More than Two Touches

Image Source: BBC

Player: Thibaut Courtois 

Ritual: Courtois has a very specific ritual: his left sock and shoe go on first, then he touches both goalposts, the crossbar, and punches the net’s corners. Think of it as a TikTok dance challenge of sorts. 

Accomplishments: With multiple domestic league titles and a Champions League victory under his belt, it’s clear his pregame ritual isn’t slowing him down.

 4. Same Urinal, Same Tunes, 3x Tape,

Image Source: NYT

Player: John Terry  

Ritual: John Terry wasn’t satisfied with just one superstition—he had a bunch! But here are a few standouts: 1) He’d use the same urinal, 2) listen to the same CD, and 3) tape his socks exactly three times. We’re not exaggerating when we say that Terry had a ritual for everything.  

Accomplishments: Terry scooped up five Premier League titles and over 700 appearances for Chelsea. Maybe those superstitions have had a positive effect afterall.

 5. Water Bottle Smash

Image Source: NST Online

Player: Rio Ferdinand  

Ritual: What was Rio Ferdinand’s way of psyching himself up? Smashing a water bottle over his head before walking out of the dressing room. It’s a bold move—likely an uncomfortable one—but it seemed to get him fired up. Shrugs. 

Accomplishments: Ferdinand’s unusual pregame ritual may have left him with a sore spot, but it sure didn’t affect his performance. Six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with Manchester United proved it.

 6. Pre-Game Chat with Father

Image Source: Marca 

Player: Neymar  

Ritual: Before every match, Neymar calls his father for a quick chat, getting advice and encouragement. It’s a family thing, and it helps him stay focused before hitting the pitch.  

Accomplishments: Holding titles with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and an Olympic gold for Brazil, Neymar’s been a key player in every team he’s been on. Seems like that pre-game pow wow with dad works like a charm. 

 7. Coco Pops Breakfast

Image Source: The Busby Babe

Player: Wayne Rooney  

Ritual: No matter the time of the game, Rooney always had a bowl of Coco Pops before kickoff. Simple, sugary, and probably a little sentimental—this was his go-to fuel.  

Accomplishments: Coco Pops may not be everyone’s idea of pregame nutrition, but it worked for Rooney. Five Premier League titles and becoming England’s alltime leading goal scorer all point to him being “coocoo for his coco”. 

 8. Ring Kissing Ritual

Image Source: Transfermarkt

Player: Cesc Fabregas  

Ritual: Before every game, Fabregas kisses a ring his wife gave him—four times—for good luck. It was a simple, sweet gesture to keep his focus and bring a little luck to the field.  

Accomplishments: Despite it being a small, perhaps “ordinary” ritual, it seems to have brought plenty of success. World Cup, European Championships, and multiple club titles—they all speak for themselves. 

 9. Last Player Out

Image Source: Arsenal Pics

Player: Kolo Toure  

Ritual: Toure was notorious for insisting that he was the last player to leave the dressing room. It sometimes caused chaos as he delayed the entire team.  

Accomplishments: Nevertheless, his tactic seemed to work. He’s acquired Premier League titles with Arsenal and Manchester City, and a Scottish Premiership title with Celtic. Toure’s lateness didn’t stop him from being a key figure in his teams’ success.

Moral of the Story? Don’t Ignore a Pre-Game Ritual 

Some of the rituals mentioned here a bit much and whether you were to adopt them yourself, well, that’s on you—we won’t judge. The purpose of this article isn’t to get you to imitate these soccer legends, but to illustrate the psychological effect a pre-game ritual can have on your performance. 

The right pre-game routine can give you unlock a sense of self-confidence that helps put you into a flow state on the pitch. And being in the zone is the key ingredient to being the player you can be.