In brief
Neymar and Jude Bellingham, two professional football players, are adopting the practice of playing with their socks ripped.
Players may benefit from better circulation and calf muscle relief during games if they cut holes in their socks.
There is currently no regulation that forbids football players from playing with holes in their socks, despite criticism from individuals such as Richard Keys and Jose Mourinho.
Professional football players are increasingly playing with holes in their socks that have been purposefully cut. Even while not everyone agrees that it should be permitted, it has been somewhat of a growing trend in recent years.
Consider the renowned manager Jose Mourinho. In an unexpected Instagram post in February 2023, the Portuguese tactician chastised football players for tearing holes in their match socks. Five black and white images of unnamed players with torn socks were shared by the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager, who is considered by many to be among the best managers in football history. He wrote:
“Beautiful socks for the Beautiful Game… Approved by the football authorities.”
Footballers Who Cut Holes in Their Socks
Jude Bellingham, Neymar and others have played with holes in their socks
The new style seems to be catching on with more and more well-known sportsmen. Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid and England, has been spotted playing with torn socks for his nation at the World Cup in Qatar, Euro 2024, and when playing for his old team, Borussia Dortmund. At the previously stated major events, Bellingham’s international colleague Bukayo Saka has also been seen playing with torn socks.
Both Kyle Walker of Manchester City and Neymar, the Brazilian sensation, have played with holes in their socks. Each player has a different number of holes cut in their socks. Some people (like Walker) have experimented with having several holes cut through the rear of their socks, while others choose to have just one or two.
During the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, former England full-back Danny Rose was among the first football players to be seen playing with torn socks. Naturally, football fans on social media at the time were quite perplexed and amused by the sight of Rose’s socks.
Any idea what’s going on with Danny Rose’s socks? #BELENG pic.twitter.com/9lU5iyWDvs
— No Score Draws ✍️ (Alex & Sian – BOOK OUT NOW!) (@CheapPanini) July 14, 2018
Why Players Cut Holes in Their Socks
Reduces the pressure on players’ calf muscles
It’s a strange appearance, isn’t it? However, there must be tangible or psychological advantages for athletes to ripping their socks apart before kickoff, right? They would definitely not do it otherwise.
Goal claims that in order to relieve the strain on the calf muscles, which are frequently constrained by the tightness of the garment, players typically cut holes in their socks. According to the report, socks are especially restrictive for football players with protruding leg muscles, which makes it difficult for them to breathe and circulate blood effectively. As a result, players are cutting holes in their socks to get around this issue.
“Many players feel the current socks are too tight and compressive on their legs, and some of them relate this to getting cramp in their calves,” a senior member of the medical staff at a Premier League club recently confirmed to talkSPORT.
However, the medical expert stated there is no “hard evidence” to support the idea behind the somewhat strange growth in football gear. They therefore asserted that it might just be a fashion statement that has gained popularity over time.
However, there isn’t any concrete proof of this. It has more to do with their potential discomfort. Since they’ve done it previously and observe other players doing it, I believe it then becomes more of a habit or style. However, because it changes the socks’ appearance, the kit suppliers would rather they don’t.
The top flight employee, who wished to remain anonymous, added, “Some kit suppliers have modified their socks to try and change the level of compression around the calf area.” “As they create kits for the upcoming season, they’ll have designers looking at adjustments like this.”
What Football Players Can Do If Socks Are a Problem
Others might want to imitate Grealish, Jack
Football players who don’t want to play with torn socks might want to follow in Jack Grealish’s footsteps. Though it seems to be more superstitious than anything else, the Man City and England striker is famous for playing with his socks rolled down below his calves.
What Football’s Rules Say
Footballers are not prohibited from making holes in socks – yet
Ezequiel Garay, a former Valencia player, was once told to replace his socks when a La Liga referee deemed that his torn pair did not adhere to the athletic dress code. However, what are the actual rules of the game regarding appropriate dress?
The Football Association’s Laws of the Game include no mention of requiring football players to wear solely sockless socks. In addition to a shirt or jersey, shorts or truck suit pants, shinguards and shoes, socks are recognised as essential equipment for all players. If a player violates this rule, the referee has the authority to ask him to leave the field of play so he can fix his equipment.
Demands a Ban
‘Enough of this crap,’ said Richard Key.
Richard Keys, a TV host best known for his lengthy tenure with Sky Sports in the UK but now serving as the senior football anchor for beIN Sports, shares Mourinho’s distaste for football players tearing holes in their socks. In reality, he demanded a ban on X (previously Twitter) for the February 17 Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Enough of this nonsense. There’s no need for it. The Spanish have outlawed it (although Bellingham gets away with it). It’s time we did. pic.twitter.com/83rHGXq1fF
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) February 17, 2024
As Keys put it, “Enough of this nonsense,” “It is not necessary. Although Bellingham gets away with it, the Spanish have banned it. It’s time that we did. Football players in the Premier League are now allowed to continue cutting their socks before games, though this may alter in the future.
Neville, Gary Weighed In: “I can’t handle it”
Gary Neville voiced his opinion on a Stick to Football episode, stating that he didn’t think the practice was required. “The one where they actually cut the holes in the back of their socks, which I think looks ugly to begin with, doesn’t make you look smart going onto a pitch,” Neville declared angrily. At United, there was a rule: tuck your shirt in and make it look nice. At United, it was actually common practice to pull your socks up and tuck your shirt in.
“This question is being asked once more. For what reason do athletes remove the holes from the rear of their socks? Could I explain why I have some doubts about it? In 2024, they have roughly 400 pairs of boots, and everything is created to order. I don’t like it when Nike or a kit sponsor doesn’t make them socks that are a little bit larger. I don’t understand.
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