Everyone has heard of the classic football superstitions, whether it's lucky boots, socks or even pants - players are always looking for ways in which they can get fortune on their side.

Often they go completely unnoticed by most fans and many players refuse to even entertain the idea that superstitions can make any difference out on the pitch.

A few, however, take it to the extreme, with more than a fair share of high-profile names swearing by their downright bizarre practices ahead of kick-off.

Here, GIVEMESPORT runs you through 15 of the strangest pre-match rituals in football, ranging from shoelace shenanigans to timely toilet trips.

15 Gary Lineker's Shooting Snub

For a player who scored 331 goals across 654 competitive games, most wouldn't imagine Gary Lineker as someone worried about hitting the back of the net.

However, that's exactly what played on the mind of the former England striker every time he completed his warm-up before a game, so much so that he refused to shoot before a game for fear that he might 'waste' a goal.

Instead, the former Match of the Day presenter preferred to save his shooting for the match - and based on his career record, it appears his tactic may not have been as wild as it seems.

14 Leighton Baines' Shoelace Strategy

Speaking of England internationals, Leighton Baines made 30 appearances for his country throughout his long career, and during that time he picked up a particular pre-game routine.

Every time he walked out onto the pitch, the former Everton left-back would untie his shoelaces, only to retie them immediately afterward.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there doesn't appear to be a specific reason for the superstition - when asked about it, Baines could offer no explanation himself for the odd quirk.

13 Rio Ferdinand's Tunnel Vision

During an interview with the Oxford Union, Ferdinand explained his intrinsically-detailed matchday preparation, including omelettes for breakfast and two-touch in the dressing room with Paul Scholes.

Where the build-up gets more unique is in the moments when the players walk out the tunnel, at which point Rio Ferdinand claims he used to "smash a bottle of water over my head" before crossing the white line on the side of the pitch.

He'd then have to jump over said line and sprint to the corner flag before he was finally ready to get going - it may seem unnecessary, but it clearly worked for him given the 10 major trophies he won whilst at Manchester United.

12 George Best's Chocolate Treat

Long before the days of specialist nutritionists and dietitians, football players were able to be far more liberal in terms of what they put in their body before a big game.

One of the most notorious in that respect was Man United and Northern Ireland legend George Best, who was no stranger to living life to the fullest, even in the midst of a professional career.

In fact, the winger reportedly used to chomp down on an entire chocolate bar before every single game, presumably giving him a sugar rush right when he needed it.

11 Kolo Toure's Last-Man Standing

Whilst lots of players have particularities about their pre-match preparation, few would sacrifice actually being out on the pitch for the sake of their superstitions.

Few, that is, apart from Kolo Toure, the former Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal defender whose commitment to always being the last out of the changing rooms once landed him in trouble.

Back in February 2009, William Gallas was receiving treatment at halftime of Arsenal's Champions League fixture against Roma, and with Toure keen to be last out, he remained in the dressing room even despite the game getting underway.

When he did return to the pitch, he was booked by the referee for entering without his permission, and you have to wonder what Arsene Wenger's reaction to the whole situation must have been.

10 Jamie Vardy's pre-match boost

Every wondered where Jamie Vardy gets his energy from? How has he always maintained top speed? Well, the answer is not modern sports science. Instead, it is a bizarre, unrecommended pre-match ritual.

The former England forward admitted to drinking half a bottle of port and three cans of Red Bull during Leicester City's historic Premier League title win in 2015/16. Red Bull gives some wings. For Vardy, it gave him the ultimate crown in English football.

9 Gary Neville's Toilet Trips

Gary Neville is known best nowadays for his punditry work with Sky Sports, but back in the day he was one of the Premier League's greatest players, as a key component of multiple title-winning teams.

Many might wonder what the secret to his success was - a certain training regime, diet, or just talent? It turns out it was none of those - instead, it was sitting on the toilet for 15 minutes before a game, in full kit, reading the matchday programme.

"When the boss finished his team-talk, I'd get my kit on and sit on the toilet, with the lid down, and read the programme in complete peace for 15 minutes. Tranquility. I did that every game."

8 Filippo Inzaghi's Biscuit Break

The Inzaghi brothers are arguably one of the most famous pairs of siblings in world football, and both have stepped into management since their playing days. However, it is Filippo's ritual whilst he was still playing that is most pertinent here.

Before every match the striker would reportedly tuck into a packet of baby biscuits in the dressing room, but always left two remaining in the packet each time.

Reminiscing on this, one of his former teammates, Pirlo said he remembered Inzaghi explaining: "that way the stars will stay aligned in my favour".

7 Sergio Goycochea marks his territory

Fortune really does favour the brave sometimes. Sergio Goychochea fits right into the idea that goalkeepers are the strangest breed in football.

During his playing days, the former Argentina shot-stopper had a habit of marking his own territory with his own urine, peeing on the pitch before a penalty shoot-out during the 1990 World Cup quarter-final against Yugoslavia.

Argentina went onto win, Goycochea was the hero and he continued to take the you know what throughout the rest of his career.

6 Mesut Ozil ties the knot

Even the most technical players believe in the art of rituals, including Mesut Ozil. The former Arsenal man was known for his ability to create a goal from nowhere and whilst many will credit his famous left boot for that, he may well credit his pre-match routine.

The German would prepare for games by tying several knots into his boots repeatedly, whilst always putting his right boot on first. It may sound needless, but Ozil won a World Cup doing exactly that. The less said about getting those knots out the better, however.