The Reason Why Footballers Cut Holes in Their Socks

Rob is senior football editor at GiveMeSport, with over 15 years experience covering sport in various capacities since graduating from the University of Gloucestershire in 2008 with a degree in journalism.

A childhood obsession for all things football developed into a career writing about the beautiful game, initially producing content for clients including Luton Town Football Club and the PGMOL. His first big interviews were with Premier League referees Howard Webb and Michael Oliver in 2009.

He then spent four years producing written content for a betting website, mainly focusing on football, and was there to cover various games and tournaments including the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Rob joined GiveMeSport in 2013 (initially as a sub-editor before becoming a senior writer and then senior editor in 2020) and has covered countless football matches and other sporting events, interviewed various high-profile figures including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch and Theo Walcott, and written well over 10,000 articles during that time.

Rob has played a key role in GiveMeSport's coverage of the World Cups in 2014, 2018 and 2022, plus Euro 2016, Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, along with many Champions League finals.

While football is Rob's area of expertise, he has also covered a wide range of other sports during his time at GiveMeSport including boxing, tennis and darts, as well as the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.

An increasing number of professional footballers have been playing with deliberately cut holes in their socks. It's become something of a growing trend in recent years, although not everyone is convinced it should be allowed.

Take legendary manager Jose Mourinho, for example. In February 2023, the Portuguese tactician criticised footballers who cut holes in their socks via an unexpected post on Instagram

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in football history, posted five black and white photos of unidentified players wearing ripped socks.He wrote:

"Beautiful socks for the Beautiful Game... Approved by the football authorities."

More and more high-profile players appear to be following the new trend. Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been seen playing with ripped socks for his country, including during the Qatar World Cup and Euro 2024, and while representing his former club Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham's international teammatem Bukayo Saka, has also been spotted playing with ripped socks at the aforementioned major tournaments.

Brazilian superstar Neymar has also played with holes in his socks, as has former Manchester City star Kyle Walker. The number of holes cut in the socks varies from player to player. While some opt for one or two holes, others (like Walker) have played with multiple holes cut through the back of their socks.

One of the very first footballers spotted playing with ripped socks was former England full-back Danny Rose during the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. Needless to say, the sight of Rose's socks sparked plenty of confusion and bemusement from football fans on social media at the time.

It's certainly an unusual look, isn't it? But tearing their socks apart prior to kick-off must have benefits - either real or psychological - for players, right? Otherwise, they surely wouldn't do it.

Players are generally cutting holes in their socks to reduce the pressure on the calf muscles, which are often restricted due to the garment's tightness.

Footballers with bulging leg muscles find socks particularly restrictive, resulting in effective blood flow and circulation becoming an issue, as well as breathability. Players are subsequently avoiding this problem by cutting holes in their socks.

Additionally, a Premier League club's senior member of medical staff confirmed to talkSPORT: “Many players feel the current socks are too tight and compressive on their legs, and some of them relate this to getting cramp in their calves."

That said, the medical expert suggested that the theory behind the slightly odd development in football kit is not backed up by 'hard evidence'. As a result, they claimed that it could merely be a fashion statement that has picked up traction over the years.

“There isn’t any hard evidence of this, though. It’s more to do with how they can feel uncomfortable. I think it then becomes more of a routine or fashion, as they’ve done it before and see other players do it. But the kit suppliers prefer they don’t, as it alters the look of the socks.

“Some kit suppliers have adapted their socks to try and change the level of compression around the calf area," the unnamed top flight staff member continued. "They’ll have designers looking at tweaks like this as they devise kits for the next season.”

Former Valencia player Ezequiel Garay was once ordered to change his socks after a La Liga referee decided his ripped pair did not befit the sporting dress code. But what do the laws of the game actually say when it comes to correct attire?

There's nothing in the Football Association's Laws of the Game stating that footballers must only wear socks without holes. Socks are listed among the basic compulsory equipment of every player, along with a jersey or shirt; shorts or truck suit trousers; shinguards, and footwear.

The referee has the power to ask a player to leave the playing area to correct his equipment if there are any infringements of this law.

Like Mourinho, TV host Richard Keys, who is best remembered for his long spell with Sky Sports in the UK, isn't a fan of footballers cutting holes in their socks.