They say luck doesn’t exist—but athletes aren’t so sure. The weirdest rituals of famous sports stars prove it, with quirky habits, wild superstitions, and just a touch of madness that, according to them, give that magical boost to win.
Because sports aren’t all about muscle and talent. There are also chewed-up gums, unwashed socks, and “miracle” shirts. These odd yet hilarious habits make one thing clear: even the biggest stars need a little craziness—and maybe a bit of luck—before they shine.
Weirdest Pre-Game Rituals of Famous Athletes
Some do it to attract luck; others to stay calm and focused. The truth is, every gesture or word can hold deeply personal meaning. The funny part is that many of these superstitions have turned into traditions—and now form part of the most entertaining side of sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Last Out and Right Foot First
The Portuguese star has his own pre-game ritual: being the last one to step out of the tunnel and setting foot on the field with his right foot first. For him, this small gesture ensures everything flows as it should. Superstition or not, it’s clearly worked out pretty well for him.
Rafael Nadal – Bottles Aligned to Perfection
The Spanish champion is known for his extreme discipline—even in the smallest details. He always places his water bottles in a perfectly straight line and avoids stepping on court lines. He says these actions help him stay focused and keep his mind steady during battle.
Serena Williams – Lucky Socks and Five Bounces
The tennis legend had her rituals down to a science. If she won, she’d wear the same socks throughout the tournament—without washing them—and before every serve, she’d bounce the ball exactly five times. She believed changing anything might disrupt her luck. And clearly, it worked.
Michael Jordan – College Shorts Under the Uniform
Michael Jordan never forgot his roots. Throughout his career with the Chicago Bulls, he always wore his University of North Carolina shorts under his uniform. A superstition and a tribute—to this day, fans remember how he said it kept him lucky and connected to where it all began.
Tiger Woods – The Unbeatable Sunday Red
For Tiger, red symbolizes power and confidence. Famously, on every tournament’s final day, he wears his iconic red polo. He says it gives him energy and a winning attitude. Coincidence or not, most of his titles came when he wore that color.
Wade Boggs – Chicken Before Every Game
The American baseball player earned the nickname “Chicken Man” for his obsession with eating chicken before every game. He never skipped it, convinced it kept his good streak going. Judging by his career, that superstitious menu worked wonders.
Jason Giambi – The Golden Thong for Bad Slumps
This baseball player had one of the strangest—and funniest—good-luck charms around. It’s said that he’d wear a gold thong under his uniform when going through a slump. He claimed it boosted his confidence—and his teammates’ mood. A true classic in the world of sports rituals.
Jason Terry – Sleeping in the Opponent’s Shorts
The former NBA player took mental prep to a whole new level. The night before each game, he slept wearing the shorts of the opposing team. He claimed it helped him “get into the game” before even stepping on the court. Weird, but apparently effective.
Johan Cruyff – The Chewing Gum Ritual
Before every match, Cruyff would pat his goalkeeper’s belly and spit his gum toward the opponent’s half. Once he forgot to do it—and lost. From that day on, the ritual became sacred. A simple gesture, but one full of meaning.
Pelé – The Mysterious Lost Jersey
Even “O Rei” had his superstitions. During a goal drought, he became convinced it was because he’d given away his lucky jersey to a fan. He sent someone to track it down, but the original was never found. They brought him a similar one—and, strangely enough, he started scoring again.
Sergio Goycochea – A Lucky Pre-Penalty Pee
The Argentine goalkeeper went down in history for one of the most bizarre rituals. Before every penalty shootout, he’d urinate right there on the field, convinced it brought him luck. He did it during the 1990 World Cup—Argentina won—and the “lucky pee” became legendary.
Laurent Blanc – The Bald Kiss of Glory
During the 1998 World Cup, Blanc had a sweet yet odd habit: before every match, he’d kiss goalkeeper Fabien Barthez’s shiny bald head for good luck. The ritual became iconic, and after France lifted the trophy, many swore that kiss had magical powers.
Gary Lineker – No Goals in Warm-Up
The English striker firmly believed scoring during warm-ups drained his luck for the actual game. That’s why he never shot at goal before kickoff. He preferred to save his aim for when it really counted—and judging by his record, it clearly paid off.
