11 soccer players with style
Bold fashion statements, rock'n'roll lifestyles, unusual hairdos and tattoos: These players from the past and the present have turned into stars not only because of their skills on the field.
Jérôme Boateng: never too many glasses
The star defender of the German team has a strong sense of fashion. He's developed a casually elegant style, and looks just as stunning in a hip hop outfit as in a tailored suit. His favorite accessory is glasses. Before the Euro Cup, he even launched his own collection of eyewear. He's not the first soccer player with a unique style - here are a few more from decades past.
Helmut Schön: coach with the hat
Helmut Schön is a football legend in Germany, especially through his career as a manager. From 1964 to 1978, the German team was exceptionally successful under his leadership, becoming European champions in 1972 and winners of the World Cup in 1972. Beyond Schön's unique training style, he will also be remembered for his fashion trademark: the flat cap. He died of Alzheimer's in 1996.
Breitner and Netzer: hippie world champions
The 70s directly hit the heads of football players. These two world champions from 1974, Paul Breitner (left) and Günther Netzer (right), let their hair run free. All of a sudden, soccer players started looking like rock stars - though they usually couldn't sing. While Breitner has since shortened his blonde curls, Netzer has pretty much kept the same hairstyle ever since.
George Best: legendary on and off the field
From 1963 to 1974, he was the star winger of Manchester United. The dazzling Belfast-born two-footed player enjoyed being in the media's spotlight. Whenever he wasn't on the field, he'd be partying: alcohol, women and gambling were part of his glamorous lifestyle. He died in 2005. He remains a national hero in North Ireland and is still among the 150 world best football players ever.
Ruud Gullit: dreads and a sexy mustache
In the 1980s, the Netherlands national team had three superstars: Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard und this guy: Ruud Gullit. He was the team's captain when they won the Euro Cup in 1988 - an unparalleled success for Team Oranje. Gullit was nicknamed "Black Tulip" because of his black dreadlocks. The mustache might not be everyone's taste - but it was the 80s after all.
Lothar Matthäus: Germany's star of the 80s
Collecting wives and divorces, Lothar Matthäus' showy private life is just as fascinating as his career. He holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player and has won all the major titles. Regularly working as a TV commentator for sports events, he knows how to promote his own image - a skill he has apparently developed since this picture was taken.
Rudi Völler: permanent wave
Women were not the only victims of the perm's popularity in the 80s and the 90s. German player Rudi Völler, 1990 World Champion, even dared combine a bubble perm with a mullet - and didn't forget the mustache either.
Carlos Valderrama: Lion King
Colombians see Carlos Valderrama as the best Colombian player ever. That's why fans still wear curly wigs paying tribute to the iconic footballer. He not only had a flamboyant playing style, but his hairstyle made him recognizable worldwide. He was on Colombia's team for three World Cups, from 1985 to 1998. A statue of the living legend, who is now aged 54, has been erected in his home town.
Djibril Cisse: body art
The former player of the French national team could fill a whole picture gallery by himself. He changes his style nearly every day, with his bleached, black or green hair shaved in a mohawk or in unusual patterns, with or without beard, with or without huge glasses. And his body is covered with tattoos - a complete work of art. He ended his career in 2015 at the age of 34, due to injury.
David Beckham: football's best-looking man
Celebrated in the sports world for his talent on the field, tabloids also glorify his good looks. Each new tattoo is worth an article (he reportedly now has 20 of them). His hairstyles establish international trends - although the one pictured above luckily didn't catch on. Beckham ended his career as a professional player in 2013.
Cristiano Ronaldo: master of self-marketing
He is one of the best football players in the world, turning his appearances with Real Madrid or the Portugal national team into pure entertainment. Beyond being one the world's most expensive players, he earns even more money through advertisement and has also released his own fragrance. Ronaldo donates many of those millions to charity.