Across the globe, footballers often have pre-match rituals that serve as personal motivators before stepping onto the pitch.
These routines can range from listening to a favorite song, reciting a religious verse, or wearing a specific piece of clothing. Some habits are simple, while others can be unusual or even quirky.
Harambee Stars legend McDonald Mariga is one such player who adhered strictly to his ritual, particularly ensuring that white underwear and socks were always part of his matchday attire.
Mariga enjoyed an illustrious career that took him to Sweden, Italy, and Spain, featuring for top clubs such as Inter Milan, Parma, and Real Sociedad.
He revealed that his preference for white socks and underwear started as a simple habit but eventually became a matchday ritual. Wearing anything else simply did not feel right.
“When I forgot white underwear and socks on matchdays, I knew I was in trouble. If I wore something else, I felt discouraged even before the game. I always made sure my underwear and socks were white. Whether I had the team suit of track suit on, I always had those on when going to the game,” he said.
Mariga admits he still does not fully understand why wearing other colors felt off, but the ritual undeniably gave him motivation on the pitch.
“Every day we went to the game, I ensured I had both white socks and underwear. The day I did not pack them, I had a terrible game. It reached a point where I was not buying other colours. It just made me feel comfortable. It gave me some morale,” he added.
Mariga, the only Kenyan to have won the UEFA Champions League, also celebrated triumphs including the Italian Serie A title, Coppa Italia, and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time at Inter Milan.-