World Cup 2014 has been one of the most exhilarating in recent memory, intriguing contests, goals galore, numerous surprises and several new stars born.
But while some players have been able to charm the watching public, others have seen their respective reputations head in the opposite direction, attracting more derision than praise.
While James Rodriguez has been the golden boy of this World Cup, Luis Suarez has been the antithesis – leaving the tournament in disgrace after his shocking bite of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
It was an incident that brought shame upon Suarez and his country, and resulted in club Liverpool sanctioning a transfer to Barcelona for their prized asset, with the striker having had one too many disciplinary strikes.
But while it appeared no player would be able to surpass Suarez as the most hated at the World Cup, a possible successor emerged following Brazil’s clash with Colombia on Friday evening.
Juan Zuniga
With Colombia trailing 2-1 deep into the quarter-final encounter with Brazil, Zuniga clattered into the back of Neymar – his knee driving into the 22-year-old’s spine – causing a fractured vertebra and extinguishing a dream.
Brazil may have reached the semi-final, their first since winning the World Cup in 2002, but Zuniga has become something of a hate figure after depriving the Selecao of their most prized asset for the remainder of the competition.
Zuniga has since claimed he did not deliberately harm Neymar, but has still been the subject of numerous online threats after the severity of the Barcelona forward’s injury was revealed.
Giorgio Chiellini
Chiellini was the bite-ee in yet another shocking episode involving Suarez, who sunk his teeth into the shoulder of the Italian defender during Uruguay’s decisive victory in the final game of the group stage.
It was an incident that resulted in a nine-match international ban for Suarez and four-month suspension from all football activity, and the controversial striker’s actions have hastened a transfer to Barcelona.
Suarez has since displayed remorse, even though he maintains the collision was an accident, but Chiellini will surely never be welcome in Montevideo due to his role in the clash, despite his apparent innocence.
Luis Suarez
This leads us nicely onto a player who is not only despised in Italian football, but also the subject of derision across the globe.
Luis Suarez’s bite on Giorgio Chiellini was the third such incident in the career of the Uruguayan striker, but undoubtedly the one that has caused the most exasperation given the stage on which it was performed.
Suarez had already been banned for a total of 17 matches for the two previous incidents, which resulted in FIFA sanctioning the player with a nine-game suspension of their own, along with a four-year ban.
Add to this Suarez’s conviction of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, and Luis Suarez is perhaps the most vilified player in the sport.
Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller is an excellent player, of that there is no question. But the Germany forward has the ability to regularly rub people up the wrong way.
It happened in Germany’s first game of this World Cup, a convincing victory over Portugal, and one that was made far simpler after opposition centre-back Pepe had been given a straight red card.
Pepe was sent off due to two things – his own stupidity and some rather unsporting behaviour from Muller.
Not only did Muller’s actions result in Pepe being given his marching orders, but the Bayern Munich player also scored a hat-trick. It’s safe to say he will not be going on holiday to Lisbon any time soon.
Diego Godin
How Diego Godin was able to stay on the pitch during Uruguay’s dramatic victory over England is difficult to fathom.
The Uruguay captain had already received a yellow card early in the first-half for a typically cynical hack, before he collided with Daniel Sturridge as the England striker approached the opposition penalty area.
Godin clearly used his elbow to throttle Sturridge, and this intervention surely warranted another yellow card at least. But not in the eyes of the referee. Uruguay went on secure victory by a 2-1 margin.
But things got worse. Had Godin rightly been sent off against England, then he would have missed Uruguay’s final group game with Italy. He did not, of course, instead scoring the goal that dumped the Italians out of the competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo may be one of the most admired footballers to ever play the game, but the Real Madrid superstar also finds himself a hate figure for many, regardless of his achievements.
It is the preening, posturing and arrogance of Ronaldo that gets under the skin of some, and Portugal’s early exit, leaving at the first stage, from the World Cup would have provided satisfaction for many.
A World Cup without Ronaldo is certainly a poorer place given his incomparable talents, but the former Manchester United player has irked enough supporters in the past to ensure he gets little sympathy.