Former Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has turned 50 this week and it’s fair to say he’s been involved in plenty of controversial moments throughout his life.

Born in London to Jamaican parents, Campbell was one of nine children, and despite growing up in a rough area of the country avoided crime and focused on a career in football reported by Daily Star.

He spent time as a child at the FA’s famed Lilleshall School of Excellence, which is known for helping to produce stars such as Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Andy Cole.

His professional career began at Spurs in 1992 and he rose to become a key figure, captaining the team to the League Cup in 1999 – and became the first black player to lift a major trophy at Wembley Stadium in the process.

Once a hero at White Hart Lane, he made more than 250 appearances for the club, but a move across North London to rivals Arsenal in 2001 changed everything – especially after he told Spurs fans he wanted to stay.

Campbell is still hated by much of the Spurs faithful, with his move to the Gunners labelled as the most controversial move in Premier League history. He received dog’s abuse every time he returned to his former club with the famous ‘Judas’ chant labelling Campbell a “c***” still sung by supporters to this day.

In an FA Cup tie against Preston last year, some were even calling for him to die. Campbell rightly called out the chants, saying: “It’s almost as though people have forgotten how to be human. Wishing and hoping that someone is going to die? And you’re going to be having a party? What world are we living in?”

He left Arsenal in 2006 with two Premier League titles and two FA Cups – before returning for a short second stint in 2010. Despite the abuse, he was never phased whenever he returned to Spurs and helped the Gunners go ‘invincible’.

Since hanging up his boots in 2011, he has continued to raise eyebrows off the field and made the headlines for his foray into politics back in 2016. After expressing his desire to explore a different career path, Campbell surprised everyone by throwing his hat into the ring for the London Mayoral Election.

He intended to run as the Conservative candidate in 2016 – which was another shock given he derives from a working class background – but never made the four man shortlist.

He was heavily criticised for bashing Labour’s plan to levy a tax on mansions at the time, calling it ‘unfair’ and that it was only there to ‘punish’ people who had done well.

Campbell has always possessed a high level of arrogance, none more so than when he took to social media to rant about the fact he hasn’t yet received an honour. He posted a list of his achievements on X after being snubbed in the well-known New Year’s Honour’s list last year.

“I’ve seen a lot of people get MBE OBE Sir’s for services to sport I will put my name down reasons why,” Campbell wrote on social media. “First is the 56 games without losing, [it] is a record.

“Two, invincible Arsenal team 49 games without losing, a record. Three, first black player to score in World Cup Final(s) for England! Four, first black captain to lift a cup at Wembley. Five, first black English speaking player to score in a champions league final.”

He also claimed that he was “pound for pound the best defender in the world” at his peak, showing just how much he thinks of himself. Ego aside, Campbell has had a glittering career and is still regarded as one of the best defenders to have played in the Premier League. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you can’t knock his footballing abilities.