Soccer— known as football in most countries—is the most popular sport on the globe, which is followed by about 3.5 billion people, meaning almost half of the world’s population. With ninety minutes of normal playtime, it’s a physically demanding sport requiring impressive skills and relentless hard work. Previously, we talked about NFL and Basketball players with ADHD, and it’s no exception in soccer. For decades— from Europe and South America to North America and Asia— several influential soccer players have dealt with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Despite their difficulties from neurodivergence, they broke the barriers, rising to prominence in their respective careers. Read this article to learn about some noteworthy soccer players with ADHD and how they have coped with it.
1) Lucy Bronze
Lucy Bronze is a notable name in women’s soccer today, shining as a right back for over a decade. While she currently dons a Chelsea jersey after signing for the London club in 2024, she previously played for heavyweight clubs like Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Lyon. She is a UEFA Women’s Championship winner and FIFA Women’s World Cup runner-up.
Lucy’s ADHD diagnosis happened in 2021 when she was 28. Besides ADHD, she was diagnosed with autism— at the time she was at the professional peak. Speaking to the BBC in an interview this year, the English defender stated that her autism and ADHD helped her remain hyper-focused on soccer, even though some people misjudge it, calling it her intense passion.
“Something that is really good for ADHD and autism is exercise. Having that focus, something to do, keeping moving”
said Lucy while describing her condition and how it has benefitted her life.
2) Jermaine Pennant
Jermaine Pennant enjoyed a stellar soccer career in the English Premier League, representing teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Stoke City. Playing over 350 matches in his career, the Nottingham native scored 25 goals as a winger. The 42-year-old is currently retired, and he discovered his ADHD in 2022, learning how the condition affected his personality and behavior during his playing days.
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During a conversation with Caroline Turner on YouTube, the retired soccer player talked about how his ADHD diagnosis— even though it happened at the later stages of his career— became a life-changing experience, providing answers for his past behaviors that had him doubting his character. He added that ADHD lacked public awareness in his playing days. While the circumstances are better today, further serious steps are necessary regarding the openness and acceptance of neurodivergence, especially in the sports world.
3) Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin is a former English Premier League player, representing Queens Park Rangers and Southampton, while also receiving a national call-up for England in 2015. Playing as a striker, he scored an impressive 45 goals for QPR. However, in his playing days— despite a brilliant display on the field— he wasn’t aware of his neurodivergence until a late diagnosis at the twilight of his soccer career in 2024.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Austin goes candid about his ADHD,
” After many assessments I was diagnosed with combined ADHD, scoring him in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness”.
Regretting his late diagnosis, he added he underwent different emotions during his career pinnacle, and his life would have been starkly contrasting had he been diagnosed at 20 instead of 34. After he learned about his neurodivergence, he was recommended to be on medication, but the restrictions in the soccer world prevented him from taking the meds— as long as he would continue to be a soccer player.
4) Dean Windass
Dean Windass enjoyed a two-decade soccer career— with his notable run coming as the player of Hull City and Bradford City. He played in the English Premier League for five consecutive seasons, representing Bradford City and Middlesbrough. The former striker, who scored 198 career goals, has ADHD. In a recent interview with the BBC, Dean Windass talked about his neurodivergence.
Followed by a brain scan in 2024, Dean was officially diagnosed with ADHD, making it a late discovery at 55 years old. Besides dementia, he came to know about his ADHD, which explained his impulsiveness, hyperfocus, and challenges dating back to his childhood throughout his playing days.
5) Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi— by a myriad of fans, critics, and peers— is regarded as the greatest player of all time. A magician on the field, he has won the World Cup, Champions League, and La Liga. His worldwide popularity and accolades are commendable, but he has demonstrated the signs of ADHD on and off the pitch, even without a confirmed official diagnosis.
His personality and behavior are obvious traits of his ADHD. While he is an accomplished player shining at several big soccer matches, the Argentine displays signs of shyness and awkwardness during public interviews as well as award shows. The Inter Miami player is naturally gifted— whether through his agility, speed, or goal-scoring ability— and when he is in control of the ball, he is hyper-focused. It may explain why he is one of the finest dribblers in the game.
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