I nearly spilled my coffee when my mate texted me this morning. "Guess which United players just bought maggots at the local tackle shop?" Honestly thought it was some weird joke until he sent the pics.
Turns out Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui—two of United's newest signings—have formed teh most unexpected bromance in Premier League history. Over fishing. FISHING. Not fancy cars or designer clothes or whatever else footballers typically bond over. These lads are out here buying live bait and asking about the best spots to catch carp.
When Football Meets Fishing (And Nobody's PR Team Arranged It)
Last week, the Dutch-Moroccan duo casually strolled into Trafford Tackle & Bait while still wearing their training gear. Like they just finished practice and went "fancy catching some fish?" I mean, who does that? Apparently these two.
The shop owner, Jeff Smith, had no clue who they were at first. Poor Jeff. Imagine having two multi-million pound footballers asking you about fishing rods and you're thinking they're just academy kids.
"They were great," Jeff (48) told me when I called him yesterday. "They had tracksuits on but I don't know United players so I thought they were from the academy. They asked me lots of questions about fishing around the area and what kind of tackle they should use."
They spent about an hour in there. AN HOUR. That's commitment to the cause.
Kids + Sweets + Footballers = Chaos
It was actually some schoolkids buying candy next door who recognized them. Can you imagine being 10 years old, walking out with your Haribo, and BAM—there's Zirkzee examining fishing lures?
One mum I spoke to (who refused to give her name because her husband supports City) said: "They were both lovely. Some of the children asked for pictures and they were really happy and friendly towards them."
No PR teams. No scheduled appearances. Just two guys buying maggots and taking selfies with excited kids.
Wait... Mazraoui's Been Doing This For Years?
Turns out this isn't some random new hobby for Mazraoui. Back in 2021, I remember reading something about him using fishing as stress relief during his Bayern Munich days. Guess when you're playing for one of the most pressurized clubs in Europe, sitting quietly by a lake starts to make sense.
And now he's got Zirkzee hooked too (sorry for the terrible pun, couldn't help myself).
Football's Secret Fishing Club
Listen. These two aren't even close to being the only footballers with a rod and reel obsession.
Phil Foden is so into it he literally bought a house with its own private lake. Not for swimming—for fishing with his son Ronnie. That's dedication that cost him probably north of $2M just to avoid other anglers.
And remember Euro '96? David Seaman apparently took Gazza fishing to calm him down between matches. Can you imagine that scene? Two of England's biggest characters sitting silently by a riverbank. Would've paid good money to witness that conversation.
Even Ronaldo and Beckham have been known to cast a line occasionally.
Why Fishing Though?
I spent way too much time yesterday thinking about this. These guys are millionaires with access to literally any hobby or entertainment. Yet they choose to stand by cold water holding a stick for hours.
Maybe that's exactly it. When your whole life is noise, cameras, and pressure... silence becomes the ultimate luxury.
Or maybe they're just weird. Who knows.
I'm half tempted to grab my old fishing rod from my dad's garage and head to wherever these United stars are fishing. Not to bother them—just to see if I can spot them in their natural habitat, two professional athletes trying to outsmart fish while discussing corner kicks.
Football, eh? Just when you think you've seen it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Premier League clubs have any financial regulations?
The Premier League does have financial regulations known as Financial Fair Play rules (FFP). These are meant to stop clubs from going beyond their means, and promote financial stability. These rules require clubs to limit their losses over a three-year period and to ensure that expenditures do not massively exceed their earnings from football-related activities. These regulations are designed to encourage clubs to spend responsibly and maintain balance within their league.
What is the function of the video assistant referee (VAR), in the Premier League?
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is utilized in the Premier League to aid on-field referees in making the correct decisions regarding goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents, and cases of mistaken identity. The VAR examines the footage of the incident and provides advice to the on-field referee. They can also view a video replay at the pitchside monitor, before making their final decision. The system is intended to minimize human mistakes that could affect the outcome a match.
What is Premier League?
Premier League is a top-tier English football league. It's also one of most popular and highly competitive domestic leagues. The English Football League operates on a promotion and demotion system. There are 20 teams in the Premier League. The teams compete annually, with each team playing 38 matches (home and away), and the season typically running from August to May. The Premier League, with its star players from around the world and large global audience, is known for playing high-quality sport.
What community initiatives does Premier League support and promote?
The Premier League supports a wide range of community initiatives aimed at improving lives through football. These include programs that promote education and sports for young people and the inclusion of underrepresented communities in football. They also support projects which use football as a vehicle for social change. The Premier League's global reach allows it to make a significant impact both within and beyond the UK, emphasizing football's potential to contribute to societal well-being.
What happens to teams who finish bottom of the Premier League table?
The bottom three teams in each Premier League are relegated, and this is done at the end of every season. The Championship, or second tier, of English football, takes their place. In their place, the top two teams from the Championship, along with the winner of the Championship playoffs, are promoted to the Premier League for the following season.
Statistics
- The record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season by a player is 32, achieved by Mohamed Salah during the 2017-2018 campaign.
- Alan Shearer is the all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals across his stellar career.
- Ryan Giggs holds the distinction of scoring in 21 consecutive Premier League seasons, marking consistency seldom seen in such a demanding league.
- Petr Čech set a remarkable defensive record during the 2004-2005 season with 24 clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season.
- The 2018–19 season saw Manchester City accumulate a staggering 100 points, setting the record for the highest total in Premier League history.
External Links
How To
How to Select a Premier League Supporting Team
The decision of which Premier League team you will support is a very personal one. You may choose a Premier League team based on their history, location, playing styles, or even famous players and coaches. Look into the values and cultures of clubs who share your interests. This could be an underdog with a long history or a team renowned for attacking football. Attend several games, whether in person or on television, to feel the atmosphere and excitement around different teams. Your choice should ultimately connect emotionally with you and bring joy.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/premier-league/artetas-injury-nightmare-arsenal-may-tear-up-summer-transfer-plans
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