5 Of The Most Fashionable Footballers

The worlds of fashion and soccer are so vastly different they barely have anything in common—except for these five very fit, very stylish athletes. From the high profile David Beckham to a few others you may not know tried their hand at fashion, here’s the play-by-play of the top football stars turned tastemakers.

David Beckham

Being married to high profile fashionista Posh Spice, it comes no surprise that Beckham himself has picked up a trendsetting tips along the way. Besides owning the title of the ultimate metrosexual, to date, the former English team’s captain has modelled for Emporio Armani and Calvin Klein, racking up yet another label, this time the World’s Best Underwear Model, an honour bestowed by Tommy Hilfiger no less. In his latest fashion foray he’s taken his eye for style to the next level, launching his own fashion line in collaboration with H&M. The campaign has seen him on billboards, commercials, and even this tongue-in-cheek promotional video he shot with Kevin Hart, released just last month.

Hidetoshi Nakata

Nakata has had quite the career over the years. He has gone from representing Japan in the FIFA World cup, to competing in the Summer Olympics, to even being knighted. It was only a matter of time before he conquered the fashion landscape as well, and conquer he did. Upon retiring as a football player at the young age of 29, the Japan native has posed for the likes of Calvin Klein, Japan GQ and Vogue Italy. He has also put his impeccable sense of style to good use, partnering with luxury jewelry brand Damiani to design a charity collection titled “Metropolitan Dream by H. Nakata”.

Didier Drogba

Hailing from the West African country Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba may have caught the public eye during his stint as a striker for major premiere league club Chelsea but it was his sharp fashion sense that caught our attention. Often seen off the pitch decked in casually chic streetwear, the striker cemented his position as a fashion-forward footballer by designing his own swimwear and underwear collection with HOM, a noted men’s underwear brand. Drogba has also graced the cover of the Turkish GQ as well as Vanity Fair, alongside another in-mode footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Aaron Ramsey

Even though Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has modelled for everyone from Men’s Folio to Men’s Health, it was his surprise contract with Elite Model Management London that showed his true passion for fashion. Having signed on with Elite in 2014, the Welsh footballer now manages his first love, soccer with his budding modelling career, divulging to Vogue UK that he’d love to kick off his new job by working with personal favourite Tom Ford.

Gerard Piqué

When Piqué first ventured into fashion he did it in a major way—as the face of Mango’s Fashion line for men, simply titled “H.E”. The Barcelona centre back signed on with the label in 2012, donning elegantly tailored suits and classically comfy denim for their fall/winter collection. Although he hasn’t done much since that memorable campaign, his natural skill in front of the camera has us hoping he’ll return to the fashion scene soon.

By Tanya Anthony