It’s a common gripe that footballers get paid a ridiculous amount of money for kicking a lump of leather around a field.
So it’s no surprise that fans get a bit irate when players flaunt their wealth with snazzy cars and other flash goodies.
And some felt that former England star Steven Gerrard was guilty of that when he posted an Instagram picture of an iPad he’d bought for his daughter Lourdes’ sixth birthday.
The father-of-four, 37, was accused of “gloating” after it was discovered that the 18-carat-gold gadget is worth £1,455.
Liverpudlian Gerrard, who retired from football last year, uploaded an artistic shot of the top-end tablet that appeared to have been taken in a garden.
Alongside the picture, he wrote a caption: “Thanks @idesigngold for Lourdes’ 18k [18-carat] rose gold iPad with deep engraving.”
But despite the sweet nature of the post, some followers took umbrage at the cost of the gift.
Referring to Gerrard and his wife Alex, one commented: “I really like this couple and always thought he was very down to earth!!! But this is just so ridiculous for a 6 year old??? What will she expect to receive next year??? And why broadcast it all over Instagram??”
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Another scathed: “Talk about gloating, man… most of the Liverpudlians are in poverty!”
And a third fumed: “I don’t see other football stars plugging brands like you do. It’s shocking!!! We all have to make a living but just remember, if it weren’t for us fans you wouldn’t be where you are today 🙁 You’re too flashy.”
But others felt that the criticisms were completely unjustified, and leapt to the defence of the former midfielder.
One replied to a negative comment by saying: “Oh, because there are starving kids in the world, he can’t buy nice things for his kids??? “Are you actually for real? Especially when he probably gives thousands if not millions towards charities, or has done over time. Give it a rest.”
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And another pointed out: “Plenty of young kids have iPads – why shouldn’t he get one for his little girl? Jealousy maybe??”
Anyway, not all footballers and their wives are keen on splashing the cash. Christine Lampard, who’s married to former Chelsea star Frank, revealed this week that she loves getting stuff on the cheap.
The 38-year-old told the Daily Star: “B&M Bargains is the best shop on the face of this planet – it’s fabulous. You can go in and get toys, Halloween things, Christmas decorations, garden furniture, batteries, toothpaste, anything.
“If bleach is a pound there but £4 in Sainsbury’s, why would you go anywhere but the likes of Poundland. It’s the same brand.”