10 Footballers Who Refused To Play

The problem with a giant billboard as a nose-thumbing tease against a cross-town rival is that, well, it's a giant bloody billboard - somewhat embarrassing if and when things turn sour.

Really, given the nature of Carlos Tevez's turncoat transfer from Old Trafford to the Etihad, Manchester City should have seen the inevitable betrayal coming. Things had been going so swimmingly for the Beast of Buenos Aires: 52 goals across his first two seasons in Eastlands had dispelled any paranoiac lingerings that Sir Alex had sold the noisy neighbours a mole, and trophies would surely follow in the wake of Tevez's talent.

So long as he could avoid a major fallout with his manager, that is. Obviously, he did not: failure to be selected in a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich led to an almighty barney between Tevez and boss Robert Mancini, with the Italian gaffer raging that his striker would never play for City again. Before the 'WELCOME TO MANCHESTER' sign could be amended, the club's owners intervened, and the star striker was placed on indefinite gardening leave.

After four months golfing on the greens of Argentina, Tevez eventually came back swinging in March 2012, helping lead the side to their first league championship since 1968.