Big-Name Footballers and Their Favourite Music

Music plays a big part in many people’s lives, and footballers are not the exception. It is very common to see them wearing headphones when they arrive or leave the stadium.

A tune that can inspire them before a game, or relax them after one, is certainly welcome. What do Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Lionel Messi listen to?

Let's find out...

Andres Iniesta

Speaking of huge fans, Andres Iniesta invited Kasabian for a mad night in Barcelona. In 2010, the Spanish midfielder told The Sun, via Metro, that "Club Foot" was a great inspiration for the whole team:

"

They can come and stay at my house so I can show them my World Cup medal and we can have a couple of beers round my pool. Greatest band in the world, on behalf of Spain, I want to say thank you. Not just thank you, we love you!

"

Iniesta also enjoys Spanish band Estopa.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Phil Collins, George Michael and Elton John are some of Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite songs. "CR7" likes to listen to romantic tunes, of the likes of Alicia Keys, but also enjoys Brazilian music.

The Portuguese put together a chart for Beatport, and he included some of the most famous DJs, like Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz.

David Beckham

Although he has retired, there is no way to leave David Beckham out of the list.

The English footballer has lots of pop tunes and that means Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and the Jonas Brothers, according to his former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Well, let's not forget David had four kids, ages 14, 10, eight and two.

Lionel Messi

Forget about pop or rock. "La Pulga" loves cumbia, a genre that originated in Colombia and Panama and that is very popular in Latin America.

There is a particular singer that "Leo" loves and that's Sergio Torres. The footballer met his idol back in 2006, and they have been friends ever since. Torres wrote a song for Messi, called "The Eighth Wonder."

Mario Gotze

The Germany international listens to Justin Bieber. He told GQ Magazine (via Oh No They Didn't) that he and his former Borussia teammate Marco Reus listen to the Canadian singer before the games. In the interview, he said, "Almost all of us are still very young, so I guess we put on slightly different music than other teams."

He is a diverse guy, though. He also likes Snoop Dog, Lil' Wayne and The Black Eyed Peas. 

Neymar

Neymar is a huge fan of Brazilian music.

In 2011, he was caught dancing to Michel Telo's hit "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" in Santo's locker room, and last April, he was singing Luan Santana's "Te Esperando." He has also interviewed Thiaguinho from the band Exaltasamba.

There's music running through this kid's veins. He has made some appearances with Brazilian singers, such as Gusttavo Lima.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney took his love for the Stereophonics to a whole new level. The Manchester United player tattooed the title of the 2011 album Just Enough Education to Perform on his arm.

Rooney also listens to Arctic Monkeys, Bruce Springsteen, Cat Stevens and more.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Reggae, rock, hip-hop, you name it. Zlatan Ibrahimovic listens to them all.

Although Swedish rapper Timbuktu is high on the list, along with Ivorian singer Alpha Blondy.

"Ibra" loves reggae more than any other genre, but he doesn't listen to it before the game. He told CNN if he did, he would become too soft.