They try, how they try. They live in gated mansions in exclusive estates and have minders to usher them straight from their black-windowed 4 x 4 to the VIP lounges of swankier-than-thou nightclubs. Yet, despite their best efforts, top footballers do sometimes come into contact with the great unwashed, especially when they let their hair down during their summer holidays. And sometimes those encounters are heart-warming – or toe-curling. Here is a selection of the best sent in by readers of football365.com.

THE GOOD . . .

In Santa Ponsa two years ago, I noticed one Cristiano Ronaldo showing off to female admirers on a jet ski and diving off a small yacht. That night in our hotel bar, Mr Ronaldo walks in with a woman who turned out to be his mother. He moved to the farthest corner of the room and kept out of sight. I nervously stumbled towards him. He smiled and immediately greeted me. He signed an autograph and even offered a photo. Cristiano only stayed for 20 minutes, but still had the courtesy to say goodnight. Lorcan Ryan

One day when my mate was coming home from school he spotted Gianfranco Zola walking out of Harrods with a kettle. Being 13 and a big Chelsea fan, my friend decided that instead of asking Zola for an autograph he would rather stalk him. It turned out that Zola lived not too far away and we promptly went round to his house and rung on every bell until the doorman came out. We were just about to run away when the doorman asked if we were here to see Zola. “But of course,” we replied. The doorman buzzed up to Zola, who then let us into his house. At one point Zola told us to wait by the door as he went into another room to get something for us . . . we thought it was going to be a football shirt and were somewhat disappointed by the signed pictures he gave us. Still, he was such a nice guy and eventually nearly every kid from our area used to go round and harass him. Darius

THE BAD . . .

Franny Jeffers moaning in Manchester Airport Terminal 1 at the Burger King staff for messing his order up – he ordered two chicken and two beefburgers but they forgot his burgers. He really didn’t look happy. Borth

Last summer I spent two weeks with my family in a hotel in Mallorca. Nothing eclipsed, however, the experience of the first day and my brief encounter with not one, two, or even three world-class players, but an entire squad of Inter Milan superstars who were staying in the hotel. I was less than impressed with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Whilst waiting for the lift with the player, a young Spanish kid approached him and asked (in English) for him to sign his friend’s ball. Zlatan replied brutishly, and also in English, “Well if your friend wants his ball signed, tell him to get it signed himself.” Nathan

THE UGLY . . .

Last year, my girl and I were at Gatwick airport as we were going to the Maldives. It was just at the end of the football season and I spotted Pascal Cygan walking around aimlessly (as he did on the pitch). I gave it an “Oi, Pascal”. This caused him to turn around and also me to launch into a tirade of lies about him having done a good job for us Gooners and it was a shame to see him leave (he had just been sold). I got a photo done with him and wished him all the best in Spain. I didn’t have the heart to tell him what I really thought. Paul Griffiths

While learning Italian at school in Newcastle, a trip was arranged to Lake Garda, not far from Venice. It was decided that we would go to see Venezia training and interview some of the players. A certain Italian left back, Alessandro Pistone, was on loan there at the time. The sight of 30 or so 15 to 17-year-olds wearing Newcastle shirts, walking on to the training ground to interview the weedy defender made his expression go from one of slight tiredness to utter terror. Cue numerous questions about why he was rubbish, and why he doesn’t just stay in Italy, followed by mumbled, scared one-word responses, culminated with a somewhat pointless interview. And we taped it all just to intimidate him more. Dom

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