Luis Edu
Due to their ties to obscure controversies that end up harming their legacy in professional sports, not all Latin American players inspire pride in their respective countries.
In this list, we will mention 5 Spanish-speaking stars who, despite having millions of followers who admire their great sporting achievements, are not role models.
The ranking: 5 Latin Athletes with the Worst Reputation in History
José Canseco | Baseball
José Canseco had an explosive start to his MLB career with the Oakland Athletics due to his superb home runs. However, he gradually lost focus until he became a type of player that nobody wants to have on their roster.
The Cuban was not only implicated in the steroid controversy, but he also took it upon himself to expose other Hispanic athletes through a book, which earned him a reputation as a very disliked figure in Major League Baseball.
Diego Maradona | Soccer
Despite having had one of the most scandalous careers in the history of sports, mainly due to his addiction to drugs and other vices, Diego Maradona is conceived as the best soccer player in history by many.
He was an idol on the field with the Argentina national team and with Napoli in Italy’s Serie A, but off the field he left an example that should definitely not be taken by children starting out in football.
Maradona passed away on November 25, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, millions of people around the world paid tribute to him through social networks.
Alex Rodríguez | Baseball
Alex Rodríguez owns one of the best offensive stat lines in MLB history, but his repeated involvement with steroids may not get him into the Hall of Fame.
In addition, we are talking about a player who during his career earned the displeasure of many Latin fans, especially for his hesitation in representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Rodríguez is currently causing controversy with his comments during MLB broadcasts and his relationships with beautiful model influencers.
Guillermo Coria | Tennis
Guillermo Coria is one of the greatest Hispanic athletes that Argentine tennis has ever produced, but mental issues ended up burying a career that promised great things.
The “magician” managed to stand out in the main tournaments of the ATP circuit, especially on clay courts. However, after losing the 2004 Roland Garros final to compatriot Gastón Gaudio, things were never the same for Coria, who ended up hanging his racquet in 2009 at the age of 27.
Despite the fact that he never starred in fights or unfortunate events on a court, the fact that he practically “wasted” his talent is something that definitely makes him enter this list.
Yasiel Puig | Baseball
Yasiel Puig convulsed the MLB when he came to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2012 season, but his confrontational attitudes gradually drove him away from the fields of the United States.
The powerful Cuban is capable of standing out in any team, although the “bad reputation” he has gained in recent years has prevented him from returning to Major League Baseball. Currently, he is content playing in the winter leagues or in Asian baseball.
However, at age 31, he could still receive one last chance in American baseball.
It’s definitely not all about talent. In the world of sports, athletes must be careful about what they do in their personal lives, as it can directly influence their careers.
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