Image via Complex Original
Today is the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final between the United States and Panama. While we root for our compatriots, it's important to remember that American soccer players pride themselves on playing on through contact, and not flopping. Although American Charlie Davies makes an appearance on this list, we feature some of the beautiful game's most notorious divers, like Gareth Bale, Ashley Young, Arjen Robben, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Click through the slides to view GIFs of the Most Outrageous Flops in Recent Soccer History.
Jordi Alba the Ballerina
Date: 2/26/2013
Game: Real Madrid @ Barcelona
A world-class pirouette from Jordi Alba. He must listen to Action Bronson.
Rafa Marquez gets Attacked by a Ghost
Date: 10/29/2011
Game: L.A. Galaxy @ New York Red Bulls
Right out of Paranormal Activity.
Neymar has Hops
Date: 6/26/2013
Game: Uruguay @ Brazil
Elite jumping abilty here.
Arjen Robben Goes Sky Diving
Date: 4/25/2012
Game: Bayern Munich @ Real Madrid
Sweet hang-time, bro.
Yaya Toure Goes for Gold
Date: 12/9/2012
Game: Manchester United @ Manchester City
And he's done it!
I Can Out-Flop You
Date: 8/22/2012
Game: Udinese @ Braga
Pablo Armero's fake flop fooled EVERYONE, including the keeper.
Andy Carroll Believes He can Fly
Date: 4/1/2012
Game: Liverpool @ Newcastle
Slow down there big fellah.
Someone Get Neymar a Medic
Date: 6/19/2013
Game: Mexico @ Brazil
We hope he makes it through the night.
Gareth Bale Clicks His Heels
Date: 10/12/2012
Game: Scotland @ Wales
Make a wish!
Charlie Davies Takes a Leap of Faith
Date
Game: L.A. Galaxy @ DC United
Divin' Davies strikes again.
There's Only One Danny Welbeck
Date: 9/15/2012
Game: Wigan @ Manchester United
It looks like Welbeck's on a Slip n' Slide.
Gareth Bale Can't Stop, and Won't Stop Diving
Date
Game: Tottenham @ Liverpool
He didn't even do a good job of selling the "foul" to the ref.
Killing Two Birds with One Head-Butt
Date
Game: MSV Duisburg @ FC Köln
Who's worse? Manager Norbert Meier for instigating the head-butt, or player Albert Streit for going down?
Gilardino Earns a Perfect 10.0
Date: 2/20/2007
Game: AC Milan @ Celtic
The East German judge gave him an 8.7, though.
Morten Gamst Pedersen Makes Sure the Coast Is Clear
Date: 3/14/2009
Game: Blackburn @ Arsenal
Is the ref looking? Yeah? DIVE, DIVE, DIVE!
Where Does It Hurt, Rivaldo?
Date: 6/5/2002
Game: Turkey @ Brazil
Hey, let's give Rivaldo the beneift of the doubt here. Maybe the pain receptors for his face are in his knees.
Roberto Rojas Is Afraid of Fire
Date: 9/3/1989
Game: Chile @ Brazil
OK so 1989 isn't really "recent history," but this acting job was too infamous to leave off the list. Although Chilean keeper Roberto Rojas wasn't actually hit by the firecracker, he sure acted like he was. Chilean coach Orlando Aravena refused to continue the game due to the "unsafe" conditions (Chile was losing 1-0), and the remainder of the match was called off. A bloodied Rojas was stretchered off the field, but the injury was actually caused by a self-inflicted knife wound from a razor blade that he had hidden in his gloves. FIFA would later ban him from the game for life for his acting.
We See You, Didier Drogba
Date: 3/15/2012
Game: Napoli @ Chelsea
Peek-a-boo!
Michael Owen Does It for the Queen
Date: 6/30/1998
Game: England @ Argentina
Diving for God and Country!
Ashley Young Goes Swimming
Date: 4/15/2012
Game: Aston Villa @ Manchester United
No word on whether he's been taking scuba diving lessons, too.
Frank Lampard's Shadow Fouls Christiano Ronaldo
Date: 9/21/2008
Game: Manchester United @ Chelsea
As far as shadow soccer goes, this is a clear foul.
Let's All Do the Luis Suarez Belly-Flop
Date: 10/7/2012
Game: Stoke @ Liverpool
Luis Suarez does his best frog impersonation.
Kyle Lafferty Gets Shot
Date: 5/16/2009
Game: Aberdeen @ Rangers
The sniper must've been in the stands.
Gareth Bale Gets on His Knees
Date: 10/7/2012
Game: Aston Villa @ Tottenham
Gareth Bale is just the worst.
