Wayne Rooney's Twitter rant - Pic from Twitter

In this day and age, social media is becoming the ‘it’ thing for many celebrities.

Celebrities are using social media networks like Facebook and Twitter to communicate with their fans and also air their feelings on a variety of subjects … from Kate’s baby to the Super Bowl.

Footballers jumped on the twitter bandwagon too, but perhaps some of them should have stayed off!

The likes of Joey Barton, Carlton Cole and Peter Odemwingie seem to score a number of own goals due to their twitter antics.

Some have even deleted their accounts after tweeting controversial statements.

We’d like to dedicate this top 10 twitter rants to all the fallen and current Twitter-ballers!

Ryan Babel (@RyanBabel)

A young talent compared to the great Thierry Henry, the Ajax graduate failed to set Liverpool alight. In 2011, the English FA rapped Dutch international Babel for posting a photo-shopped picture of Howard Webb in a Manchester United jersey after Liverpool lost to Man Utd. Before this incident, he drew the ire of former manager, Rafael Benitez who complained :-

"Everyone has a Twitter, It's impossible to stop people talking. It's not like in the past. It is more than just football."

Aaron Lennon (@Aaron7Lennon)

He is having quite a season with Spurs and he will surely be on the plane to Rio next year. However, before this – he played in patches and was notorious in the social media world. In 2011, the speedster debuted in the UEFA Champions League but when Tottenham Hotspur faced Real Madrid in the quarter-final, Lennon pulled out the squad just minutes before the game! A shocked Harry Redknapp said :-

"I asked him, 'Are you fit enough to play?' and he said, 'I've got no energy, I've got no strength, I might last five minutes.

A furious Lennon decided to take matters into his own hands and vented his frustrations on twitter. This what he had to say :-

“Saying I fell ill be4 the game is bull**** I fell ill on sunday morning where the med team put me on antibotics, but it only got worse before Tuesday.

Now though, he is one of the nicest boys on Twitter.

Jack Wilshere

Once upon a time, young Jack Wilshere was known for his tweets about players and officials. He actually deleted his account in 2012 but the previous year he wasn’t a happy man when Arsenal blew a 4-0 lead to draw against Newcastle 4-4 at the Emirates Stadium. Frustrated, he tweeted about the poor officiating of the game. :-

Inconsistent refereeing needs to stop. It's killing the game. If Diaby goes ... what's the difference between Diaby and Nolan on our keeper?? # Joke

When Arsenal lost the Carling Cup final in 2011 to Birmingham City, Wilshere apologized to the fans but reserved some words for Scottish captain, Barry Ferguson :-

Well done to the BCFC player who slapped Koscielny on the head when they scored, very big of you!

Carlton Cole (@CarltonCole1)

When England was to face Ghana in a friendly at Wembley in 2011 West Ham striker Cole decided to be funny by posting jokes before the game. One of those jokes :-

Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! Hahahaha

Fans deemed his jokes offensive and some claimed he was posting racist tweets. He hit back by stating :-

Why are there so many sensitive people out there! It was just a joke and it’s not even racist!

The club reprimanded him and since then, he has kept his behaviour in check.

Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney)

Rio Ferdinand is an avid Twitter user. - AFP

Wayne Rooney is one of England’s top strikers and it was no surprise to see the star joining Twitter. However, when you’re a star, there is bound to be some banter. In 2011, when a fan dissed him, Rooney brought out his ‘Godfather’ act :-

I’ll put you asleep within 10 seconds hope u turn up if u don’t gonna tell everyone ur scared u little nit. I’ll be waiting.

Fans became abusive after that tweet and Rooney ‘calmed the situation by stating that it was a bit of banter and urged the fans not to go nuts about it.

Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5)

Another Twitter addict! And also famous for his numerous rants! From anti-racism stances to being conned by a fraudster, the 34-year-old seems to be a ‘legend’ when it comes to Twitter. The keyboard warrior ripped Spurs fans after Nani scored a controversial winner in their game against Tottenham in 2010. Riled by his comments, Spurs fans were furious but he was game on for arguments. Here is one his famous twitter rants :-

Most bitter fans on twitter are liverpool fans #fact what's the problem guys, enjoy your team + don't worry about Man Utd!! 19'

Darren Bent (@DarrenBent)

Darren Bent can be a menacing striker when he is on form. He can be very menacing too on Twitter. Just ask Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy.Bent is arguably a twitter rant pioneer.In 2009, he was looking for a move away from Spurs but was livid with Levy’s delay in sanctioning his move to Sunderland. He had few kind tweets for Levy :- Do I wanna go Hull City. No. Do I wanna go Stoke. No. Do I wanna go Sunderland. Yes. So stop ******* around Levy.

It didn’t stop there :-

Why can't anything be simple? It's so frustrating hanging around doing jack ****. Seriously getting ****** off right now. Sunderland are not the problem in the slightest.

It didn’t go down well with Tottenham board and he was fined GBP 80,000 for his foul-mouthed rant. However, he got his way when he moved to Sunderland for an undiclosed fee.

Peter Odemwingie(@OdemwingieP)

Peter Odemwingie's latest rants on WBA. - Pic from Twitter

A season to forget for the Nigerian. The 31-year-old was a beast last season but this season, he has been the butt of all jokes. Trying to force a move from WBA to QPR and lambasting his club via twitter was not a smart move by the experienced forward. He looks likely to leave the club next season and fans will be happy to see the back of him :-

Keeping me on the bench now is worse than what they did on the 31st. “New advisers told me to say it’s all my fault cos its better for me.“A normal team will never let a player who acted like I did come back.“Why keep me still?.# talksbehindback

Joey Barton has had some controversial squabbles in Twitter. - AFP

Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton)

Calls himself a philosopher and someone who is smarter than the other professionals, Joey Barton has had a colourful career so far. Currently on-loan with Marseille, the 30-year-old midfielder has had some clashes with sporting personalities and recently ridiculed Justin Bieber for being the most followed celebrity on Twitter. Here are some of his rants that made headlines in England.

Feud with his former teammate Dietmar Hamann:-

Do yourself a favour and stay out of club politics QPR and NUFC have paid you well for playing not to commentonrecruitment - Dietmar Hamann

Trying to give me stick you cheeky man. Get your own life in order first... #peopleinglasshouses". - Joey Barton

He may call himself a philosopher, but he is nowhere near Hamann’s class, this tweet will tell you why,

"What about they way I seen you prepare for a game. That dignified? Worst pro I've ever seen Youve got more front than Harrods" and "only cos your trying your b*llocks off to get a job now your skint. Don't try a be all self righteous u blert. I know u!"

He later apologised to Dietmar Hamann for his foul-mouthed tirade.

Ashley Cole (@TheRealAC3)

Last but not least is Chelsea’s marauding left-back Ashley Cole. In 2012, he criticised the FA after the FA doubted his statements supporting John Terry over allegations of racially insulting Anton Ferdinand. John Terry was banned for four-games and retired from international football whereas Cole had to do some damage control after his foul mouthed rant on twitter. He apologised for his antics but was still charged by the FA for his conduct. Here is the controversial tweet.

"Hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFTWATS".

Special mention

Piers Morgan

Why would a TV personality be on this list? When it comes to Twitter, he is known for his banter with professional players. His favourites being Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney. Being an Arsenal fan, it’s no surprise to see the 47-year-old trading some jibes with the England stars.

Here are some of his famous tweets

What award did you win @WayneRooney – Fastest Transfer U-Turn of the Year After Big Cheque Arrived?’ - On Rooney’s transfer u-turn

Wenger too stubborn to quit, the Board too complicit to fire him. So #Arsenal now trapped in a world of unending, ambitionless failure. - On Arsenal’s dismal run for 2012/2013 season

• Macro photographer's bug specimen makes it to Top 10 New Species 2013
• Family- friendly benefits
• Korean car with German touches
• Writer A.M Homes wants to explore the gap between who people are publicly and privately
• Pressure on New Zealand to save rare dolphin
• Diving deep into childhood
• Shared land and labour
• Listen, listen, listen
• New home for rhinos
• Check this!