With the Premier League just kicking off this month, it’s sports all round for Summer 2021. After Britain gave an impressive performance in many categories for the Olympic Games, it’s now time for football fans to be hanging on the edge of their seats as the games commence.
Despite the usual Premier League updates, it’s always interesting to hear about sports stars and their interests behind closed doors. From unusual hobbies to what interests they have off the pitch, there’s some surprising things that you may not know about your favorite sports stars.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the top sports stars that have a love of rock music!
Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool Manager
Jurgen Klopp has got Liverpool riding the lightning with some ‘heavy metal football’ tonight ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/3iqs3JvnJX
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 5, 2016
It’s no secret that Liverpool FC Manager, Jurgen Klopp is a fan of ‘heavier music’ as he puts it. The German former pro football player who is now widely regarded as one of the best football managers in the world has a love of heavy metal and rock music.
In 2017, in an interview where Klopp was being compared to ex-Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, Klopp was said to have described Wenger as a silent song in an orchestra. He commented “He likes having the ball, playing football, passed.”. Klopp then went on to describe himself as ‘wanting it loud’. We assume this means his personal music taste, as well as the action on the pitch
Klopp confesses that some of his favorite bands are Genesis and Kiss, amongst others. Perhaps listening to this high caliber of music drives his performance as a manager? Many are looking to take advantage of betting offers as the season begins, and Liverpool currently have odds of 5/1 of winning the Premier League (at the time this article was written).
David de Gea
While the tune that most of the Manchester United players sing to is hip-hop, David de Gea strays from his team on the music scene. With a love of metal and rock music, De Gea has commented that he regularly tries to put on such music in the dressing rooms pre- and post-game. However, many of the players are not such big fans of this genre of music and as his teammate, Ashley Young describes ‘people want to leave the room’.
Some of De Gea’s most loved rock and metal bands include Slipknot and Metallica. At Download Festival in 2018, De Gea even presented Avenged Sevenfold with a Manchester United Shirt with a number 7 on the back.
Marcus Hahnemann
Retired US Keeper, Marcus Hahnemann reveals that he used to listen to metal and rock music to get himself in the mood for a game. Describing the sometimes-dull mood in the changing rooms prior to a game, Hahnemann praised the use of headphones and commented that it saved him from falling asleep!
Some of Hahnemann’s favourite bands include Slipknot, Mastodon, Five Finger Death Punch and Machine Head. Having held a fortunate position as international Soccer Player and Goalkeeper for the Seattle Sounders FC, Hahnemann had the opportunity to meet a number of his idols, including meeting Tool, his favourite band of all time, at the World Cup in Germany.
Hahnemann also had the opportunity to go backstage with Kasey Keller at their show. Not always one for following the rules, Hahnemann snuck on stage with Tenacious D at Reading music festival in 2010. However, Tenacious D didn’t seem too fazed, having recorded a record track with him just two years later. The track is called ‘Omega’ for those wanting to take a listen.
Sergio Ramos
The former Real Madrid Captain (and now PSG CB) Sergio Ramos is also a fan of rock music, stating that Guns ‘N’Roses are one of his favorite bands. Like Hahnemann, Ramos has got himself into some fortunate situations where himself and fellow rock loving girlfriend, Pilar Rubio have been able to meet a number of their idols.
At the recent Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja in Seville, Spain, Ramos and his girlfriend were seen hanging out with Axl Rose after AC/DC’s gig. Ramos described it as the day he got to meet a legend.
Ramos’ girlfriend also owns a metalhead clothing line, as well as being lucky enough to feature on the gory cover of Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator’s 2013 album ‘Feast’.
Slaven Bilic
The former West Ham Manager, Slaven Bilic was also a fan of heavy metal and Rock music. However, differentially to some of the above reports, Bilic describes scenes where he would play rock music in the dressing room, and it would lift the mood of the team.
Some of his favorite bands include Slayer, Metallica, AC/DC and Iron Maiden. Fuelling his love for rock and heavy metal, in 2008, Bilic got together with Croatian metal band, Rawbau. The duo then recorded the unofficial Croatian anthem ‘Vatreno Ludilo’ (‘Fiery Madness’) which became a number one in Croatia shortly after.
Overall, it’s surprising just how many sports stars are into heavy metal and rock music, especially before a game. While not everyone on the team seems to be convinced, these players have been in some fortunate situations where they’ve had the opportunity to meet some of their idols. Will this love of rock continue to spread through the teams? We’re not entirely convinced but the passion is certainly there.
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