10 Football Superstars With Strong Political Beliefs

International footballers earn millions of euros for a year and serve as inspired models for millions of people around the globe. Hence, they are known for their care so as not to get involved in heated political debates.

However, there are some superstitions in the football world that have not hidden their political conviction, writes Periscope.

The first on this list is Paulo Di Canio. Born in Rome and raised as a talent in the Lazio team, whose fans are known for the fascist residents and choirs, Di Canio did not escape this influence. Paolo had made a career with larger Italian teams, such as Juventus, Naples, Milan, and Lazio.

In 2011, Di Canio had said that he admires Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in his 2001 autobiography. Then, when he scored the goal, he gave the famous fascist greeting.

The second is Frank Lambard. In November 2007, the former Chelsea star had met with David Cameron, aspiring to become the country's prime minister. He claimed to be a supporter of the Conservative Party.

I had a really good conversation with David. As a football player, I don't want to mix with the campaign and these things, but I'm a Conservative and I love David Cameron,” said Frank.

The third is Christian Abbiat. The 41-year-old man from Abbiategrasso had a very rich career, especially Milan, where he fought 380. The deed has also played for Juventu, Turin, and Atletico Madrid, as well as played for the national of Italy four times.

In 2007, as Milan's goalkeeper, Abbiato decided to show his right - hand nationalist beliefs.

I'm not ashamed to show my political convictions. I like fascism, like patriotism, and the values of the Catholic religion. I like the capacity of fascism to establish order and law.” He had declared it.

The fourth is English legend Brian Clough. As Nottingham Forest coach, Clough twice won the Champions League. He had declared himself a dedicated socialist and had often campaigned and helped the miners ' strikes. He was also known for granting large sums of money to trade unions.

The Laborist Party had twice asked Clough to become a candidate to become a member of the Parliament in the General Election, but he had refused without time, writes Periscope.

The fifth is the Liberian legend and the winner of the Golden Ball in 1995. He became the president of Liberia last year, when he was also rumoured of Kosovo's independence from his country. He had been subject to racism while playing in France in Monaco, which was fortunately guided by Arsene Wenger. And that's exactly Wenger had saved him and given him room on the team.

The sixth is Cristiano Lucarelli. Lucarelli is self-declared Communist. He had constantly carried the number 99 in the mood for his city's left ultras group Livornos. He also became known after celebrating goals with the celebrated communist salute and once under the team's fanfare had the image of Che Guevara.

The seventh is Diego Armando Maradona. Not only did Maradona get involved in drugs after leaving football but she also engaged in social matters. He cultivated friendship with the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro whose face he tattooed with Che Guevara. He also supported Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and became an oponentent of American imperialism.

The eighth is Pep Guardilla. The Catalan talent has been and remains one of the best-known Catalan figures to alter the cause of Catalonia's independence from Spain. He has repeatedly defended these political attitudes, even at news conferences where football should be discussed.

ninth is Jurgen Klopp. Clopp comes from a German working - class family and supports socialist causes. He has even expressed these positions in various interviews, including the one for The Guardian a few months earlier. His team this Saturday plays against Tottenham Hotspur in the finals of the Champions League.

10th is Sir Alex Ferguson. Even the great Scottish coach who won 13 of Premier League's titles had strong political convictions while he was young. He was also a socialist and avocon for those policies. /Periscope