Thomas Gravesen is recognized by fans as an eccentric figure, known for his preference for communicating through physical gestures and consistently displaying eccentric antics on the training ground. Upon joining Real Madrid, the Danish midfielder appeared as an outsider amidst the constellation of top-tier Galacticos stars.
Disruption at the training ground
The moniker “Mad Dog” attributed to Thomas Gravesen by fans wasn’t without reason. The Danish midfielder had earned a reputation for eccentricity even before his time at Everton. In the mid-1990s, while playing for his hometown club Vejle, Gravesen stood out with his slick, blond hair and always sported a pair of large earrings.
In the summer of 2000, Gravesen joined Everton and underwent a style transformation, yet he began to garner attention for his peculiar personality. During training sessions, fans and staff alike had to be wary as the midfielder could lash out with punches and verbal outbursts at any moment. Mick Rathbone, Everton’s physiotherapist, described Gravesen as the craziest player he had ever encountered. In one instance during a match, Gravesen even shouted profanities at medical staff when they approached him.
Rathbone recounted an incident when he was tending to Gravesen after a collision: “He was back on his feet and ready to play. I reached out to help him up, but he suddenly yelled, ‘Get your bloody hands off me! If you touch me, you’ll get punched!’ But as we neared the touchline, he thanked me and calmly resumed playing. I was genuinely scared; I often sat by the touchline praying he wouldn’t get injured again.”
Gravesen’s teammate at Everton, James McFadden, believed the Danish player was “mentally unstable.” McFadden recalled Gravesen once throwing a 60-year-old staff member onto a physiotherapy table and wrestling with him for fun.
Gravesen’s antics weren’t limited to Everton; even his Danish national team colleagues shared similar experiences. In 2002, Gravesen’s pranks during training sessions led to fights among teammates. During one session, he and Stig Tofting ambushed Jesper Gronkjaer, causing him to fall and then pouring water and stuffing rocks into the former Chelsea star’s shorts. Gronkjaer retaliated by fighting Tofting.
In 2003, during a Denmark national team training session, Gravesen sat on Claus Jensen while he lay face down. Later, “Mad Dog” pulled down Jensen’s shorts, exposing his private parts just inches from Jensen’s face. A journalist captured the scene, and Gravesen publicly apologized at the team’s press conference for his excessive prank. Coach Morten Olsen was furious, denouncing it as foolish behavior unbefitting a national team player.
Gravesen once brought paintball guns to training and shot at everyone. Another time, the mischievous midfielder used a drainage pipe as a launcher, firing a firework straight at the team physiotherapist. In the 2003/04 season, Manager David Moyes recounted how Gravesen and Wayne Rooney engaged in a firework fight during a training session. Armed with fireworks filled with explosives, they shot at each other, resembling a shootout. Unable to control his player, Moyes reluctantly acknowledged Gravesen’s talent but lamented his psychological issues.
Engaging in conflict with Ronaldo ‘Fatty’
In 2005, Gravesen moved to Real Madrid after establishing himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders with impressive performances at both Everton and the Danish national team. At Bernabeu, there was no change in Gravesen’s behavior towards the Galacticos stars.
Gravesen often joked with teammates and engaged in rough play that sometimes resulted in injuries. Borja Fernandez, who played alongside “The Mad Dog” at Real Madrid, shared: “Thomas is very quirky; he always made us laugh a lot. His personality is also very cheerful and genuine.”
Gravesen didn’t hesitate to give orders to Zinedine Zidane during matches or playfully tackle his superstar teammates during training sessions. In August 2006, during an overly exuberant prank with Robinho, the former Everton star caused a brawl on the training ground.
Things went further when Gravesen “clashed” with Ronaldo Nazario – also known as “Fat” Ronaldo. Despite being 1.80 meters tall and bulky, Ronaldo didn’t retaliate against Gravesen. The two wrestled on the training ground, resulting in Ronaldo losing a tooth. The incident made headlines, and less than a month later, Gravesen was sold to Celtic.
Aidan McGeady, who accompanied Gravesen during their time in Scotland, also commented on his former teammate’s antics: “I was quite close to Gravesen. He often came to my house and went out with me; we got along quite well. I remember one time we were in the changing room, and coach Gordon Strachan was talking to a player, I looked over and saw Gravesen sitting in the corner. He had a newspaper covering his face, but he cut a small hole and peeked through.”
It must be acknowledged that despite causing trouble for the team with his never-ending pranks, Gravesen was a talented player. Amidst much media scrutiny and attention upon his arrival at Real Madrid, he still played his best, maintaining his vibrancy and unique personality. Spanish fans admired him for that.
Gravesen also kept his personal life private, fearing it would be sensationalized by the media. From 2005 to 2008, the Danish star dated adult film actress Kira Eggers, which garnered significant media attention. However, he kept details secret and didn’t publicly commit to anyone until after retiring.
Upon ending his playing career, Gravesen met model and real estate broker Kamila Persse. This relationship led him to Las Vegas, where he reportedly had significant success with gambling investments. Using an estimated £100 million, particularly in poker, Gravesen and Persse purchased a massive mansion in the Summerlin area for over $1 million USD in August 2013.
The extravagant lifestyle in Vegas came to an end in 2018 when he decided to return to Denmark after separating from Persse. Back home, he embraced a simpler life, working as a commentator for Discovery, providing expert opinions on Premier League matches and the Danish national team.