Why do players cut holes in their socks? Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka among many stars to make strange kit change | talkSPORT

Nov 06, 2024

Cutting holes in football socks is becoming more and more popular with Jude Bellingham commonly donning the strange look.

The England international made the unusual kit change for Real Madrid and also does the same thing for his country.

It has led to many questions from fans on whether it is a fashion statement or if it actually has any real meaning behind it.

But as weird as it looks, this isn’t a new thing, as players all over the world have been cutting their kit over the last few years.

So with the trend growing in popularity and questions being raised, talkSPORT.com takes a look at why they do it…

As strange as it may sound, footballers cut holes in their socks to reduce the chances of an injury.

Football socks come right up to below the knee - unless you’re Jack Grealish - and that helps to keep shin pads in place while keeping the legs warm too.

However, it can also reduce blood flow and circulation in the lower leg if too tight.

If that happens to a player, the risk of cramping up increases.

So, to combat it, they sometimes cut holes in their socks to relieve some pressure on the muscles and loosen them up.

Kyle Walker and Conor Gallagher are a couple more players who have commonly been seen with holes in their socks and Walker explained his reasoning for it in 2021.

"The socks were actually too tight so it was causing pressure on my calves,” he revealed.

"It was just to release my calves - or release the tension.

“I just cut holes in them and all of a sudden I had a few alright games, and I was like, 'Ok, I'm keeping this now!"

The style may look silly on the pitch but the benefits are obvious and there is no surprise that so many stars are deciding to do it.