Regardless of their sport, many athletes have strange and often amusing rituals that help them prepare mentally and physically for competition. These could involve eating a certain meal, wearing lucky clothing, or simply indulging in any random activity. In this list, we’ll explore 15 athletes whose pre-game routines expose the bizarre side of sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Right Foot Ritual
You might know him as one of the world’s greatest footballers, but you probably don’t know how superstitious he is. Before every game, Cristiano Ronaldo insists that his right foot must touch the grass first when he steps on the field. It sounds mundane, but to the Portuguese star, this sets the tone for a successful match.
Robbie Gray’s Sandwich Strategy
Three hours and 15 minutes before kickoff, Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray eats two banana and honey sandwiches on wholemeal bread paired with half a muffin. This tradition started in 2013 following an excellent performance, and Gray hasn’t looked back since.
Johan Cruyff’s Stomach Slap
The legendary Dutch soccer player had a peculiar pre-game ritual at Ajax. He would slap teammate Gert Bals on the stomach prior to each game. After that, he’d put his chewing gum onto the opponent’s half of the pitch. It’s safe to say that Cruyff’s antics were as memorable as his genius on the field.
Steve Waugh’s Lucky Handkerchief
As far as Steve Waugh is concerned, Playing Cricket has a lot to do with clothing accessories. This cricket legend never competed without his red handkerchief, a gift he received from his grandfather. He tucked it into his pocket before every game, believing it brought him luck.
Jason Terry’s Pajamas
Before each game, the Dallas Mavericks shooting guard insisted on sleeping in a pair of his upcoming opponent’s official uniform shorts. And not just any fan shop replicas—these had to be the authentic shorts worn by the players on the court.
Gary Neville’s Toilet Time
While other players were warming up, Neville found peace and focus in the bathroom. This former Manchester United defender would sit on the toilet in complete kit for exactly 15 minutes while reading the matchday program to manifest victory.
Tom Lynch’s Meal Routine
Adelaide Crows star Tom Lynch follows a strict food regimen before each game. The night before, Lynch eats a homemade risotto and enjoys a Crunch chocolate bar for dessert. On game day, he starts his morning with poached eggs from the same café.
Wade Boggs’ Chicken Obsession
Before every game, Boggs religiously ate chicken, believing it brought him good luck. Wade Bogg was so convinced chickens were his lucky charms that he earned the nickname “Chicken Man.” He also hit exactly 150 ground balls and scheduled his sprints for precisely 7:17 PM daily.
Michael Jordan’s Lucky Shorts
Sometimes, the player is only as good as the pair of shorts they’ve got on. Jordan kept his blue University of North Carolina shorts and wore them under his Chicago Bulls uniform every game. These lucky shorts reminded him of where his journey began and helped him feel grounded.
George Best’s Pre-Game Chocolate Fix
Manchester United legend George Best had a sweet tooth, and his pre-game ritual reflected that. Before taking the field, Best would eat a full chocolate bar, an unusual energy boost that contrasted with today’s strict nutrition plans. For Best, it provided just the right sugar rush.
Rafael Nadal’s OCD Court Habits
Sometimes, he adjusts his socks and shirt before every point or ensures his water bottles are perfectly aligned with the court. Though these are signs of anxiety disorder or OCD, Nadal maintains this detailed list of meticulous habits as part of his performance routine.
Adrian Mutu’s Basil in the Socks
Unlike other athletes, Romanian soccer player Adrian Mutu took an unusual approach to his pre-game superstition. Mutu would stuff basil leaves into his socks before matches. He believed the herb brought him good luck, though no one could quite explain the logic behind this habit.
Serena Williams’ Lucky Socks
Yes—even a GOAT like Serena had safety rituals that kept her confident on the court before her retirement. Her famous superstition was wearing the same pair of socks for the entire tournament, win or lose. While some called it unhygienic, this habit was vital to her championship routine.
Leighton Baines’ Shoelace Quirk
We’ve seen handkerchiefs and socks, so it’s time for shoelaces. Former Everton and England defender Leighton Baines had an odd pre-game ritual involving untying and retying his shoelaces for no particular reason. Even though he couldn’t explain why, the routine stuck.
John Terry’s Lucky Routine
Finally on this list is retired Chelsea captain John Terry. Before every game, Terry parked in the same spot, sat in the same seat on the bus, and used the furthest urinal to the right in the locker room. These small rituals helped Terry stay focused and calm before leading his team onto the field.
15 Athletes with the Most Bizarre Pre-Game Rituals