A study in Germany has claimed that ugly footballers are better players than their good-looking counterparts.

The University of Dusseldorf carried out a study involving Bundesliga stars including Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, who has a large facial scar from a childhood car accident, and calculated their goals, completed passes and clean tackles.

"Players who look good don't need to work so much to be seen in a positive light. They think, 'I look good, so I don't need to try hard.' Ribery would not have to strive so much if he looked better," the Daily Star quotes Professor Ulrich Rosar as saying.

Ribery topped the ugly list, while Markus Daun, Adam Bodzeck and Markus Neumayr were voted the best looking of the bunch and they were all relegated with their respective teams.

Written by
Danielle Joynson