Football fans are recalling their funniest encounters with Premier League stars

Football fans have been recalling their best encounters with Premier League stars of the past and present.

When we get asked the question about the most famous people we've ever met, chances are that most football fans will have had at least a brief encounter with a footballer at some stage.

There are some incredible stories to be told, including the one where an 11-year-old fan from London played beach football against none other than Lionel Messi on holiday.

But most encounters with footballers are regularly mundane. Let's be honest - some of those make for the best reading.

X (Twitter) account Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) is dedicated to those ridiculous meetings with footballers - no matter how boring - with fan submissions posted onto their page with some regularity.

Let's jump into a few of the best (or worst) fan and footballer meetings.

We'll start off with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya being slightly bemused after bumping into a supporter in a lift - and having to stay in it for 12 floors.

"I stayed at the same hotel as the Spain squad. I waited to get the lift and when it arrived, David Raya tried to press the button to shut the door before I got in it and nearly took my hand off. He was annoyed when the lift stopped at the other 12 floors."

Submitted by Matt B

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) March 29, 2023

Aston Villa star Boubacar Kamara's apparent failure to identify a McFlurry led to a bizarre photo opportunity for one fan.

"Boubacar Kamara was at the table next to us in Maccies with his wife and kids. Their tray full of food was just fries and sauces. He walked up to the counter and asked someone 'What is a McFlurry?', and I took the perfect opportunity for a photo."

Submitted by Matt E pic.twitter.com/OMSfvbA11v

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) July 22, 2023

Former Newcastle and current Luton goalkeeper Tim Krul seemingly wasn't in the mood to talk to a Sunderland fan after the Magpies lost the Tyne and Wear derby 3-0.

"I asked Tim Krul if he was Tim Krul and he sternly replied 'No' in a strong Dutch with a mix of Geordie accent and walked off. Maybe it was because I was wearing my Sunderland shirt and we'd just done Newcastle 3-0."

Submitted by Liam T

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) May 29, 2023

One fan gave Phil Jones 'loads' of bakery items at Starbucks - much to the dismay of the other customers...

"Phil Jones came into the Starbucks I worked in. Quite a lot of the bakery stuff was going to waste so I went straight over and gave a load of it to him, to the dismay of the regulars in there."

Submitted by Matt C

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) December 9, 2023

Manchester United icon Edwin van der Sar clearly struggling with the cold weather in Northern Ireland.

"I met Edwin van der Sar on the north coast in Northern Ireland. He was amazed that I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt because he was really cold."

Submitted by Robert E pic.twitter.com/i7m5kFqUvn

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) February 20, 2023

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard at a bowling alley.

"Steven Gerrard came into the bowling alley I worked at and asked to book a lane. I asked him for his name and he didn't say anything and just gave me a shocked look, so I repeated 'Name, please', and he muttered 'Gerrard' under his breath."

Submitted by Dave C

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) May 16, 2023

Ivan Toney getting his 1 Star kayaking award while at Northampton.

"I saw Ivan Toney at Northampton Canoe & Kayak Club, he managed to get his 1 Star Award! He looked pleased."

Submitted by Josh C

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) March 6, 2023

Manchester City's Scott Carson at Disneyland.

"Went to Disneyland a few weeks ago. While my step daughter was queuing to meet Goofy, I spotted Scott Carson a few places in front of us. Said hello to him, had a picture, lovely chap."

Submitted by Aaron M pic.twitter.com/UKxodlCXBC

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) December 15, 2023

And, as you do, a meeting with ex-Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin while he was buying crisps at a convenience store in Crete.

"My girlfriend was needing some more sun cream on our holiday in Crete, so at 11 at night we went to a random corner shop down the road from our hotel. We walked in and Allan Saint-Maximin was standing there choosing from the crisps."

Submitted by Lewis R pic.twitter.com/SNEsKJBCzu

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) July 10, 2023

Finally, a fan debating the difficulties of working on a Saturday - with former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o.

"Met Samuel Eto'o at the Esso in Cobham. He said he was going to training, I replied 'I'm working on a Saturday too, it's a nightmare isn't it'."

Submitted by Jon B pic.twitter.com/G8NrUkeGbN

— Spotted Footballers (@SpottedPlayers) March 4, 2023

What is your best interaction with a footballer? Let us know.