20 Best- and Worst-Dressed Footballers
It's tough being a modern-day footballer. Gone are the days when you could turn up to training in your pyjamas, only worrying about what you're wearing on a match day. Nowadays, players are in danger of being photographed everywhere they go.
Take a moment to dry your eyes while you think about these highly paid players and their free designer clothes.
The thing is, having lots of money doesn't necessarily mean you know what to do with it. While some players manage to look presentable on all but the rarest of occasions, there are plenty who look like they get dressed in a dark, eclectic charity shop.
Let's take a look at the best examples of footballing fashion faux pas and celebrate those who get it right.
This list is entirely subjective and based on the scientific measure of doing a Google image search on each player. More than one dodgy photo on the first page and you're on the bad list. If you feel I've been unfair on anyone or missed a sitter, tweet me a photo to back up your claim and it could make the list.
Worst: Sergio Aguero
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You'd think that this photo is pretty stylish, and you'd be correct. However, Sergio Aguero was snapped wearing red trousers, and that crime against fashion is unforgivable.
"@BumbleCricket Man City striker Sergio Aguero wearing RED trousers! pic.twitter.com/YWxN1a5uH4
— Arsenal Harry (@AFC_Harry34) November 7, 2013"
Best: Juan Mata
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Juan Mata oozes style on the pitch with his tiki-taka passing and exquisite vision. Off the pitch he is the same, managing to do smart, casual and everything in between without looking silly.
Worst: El Hadji Diouf
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El Hadji Diouf starts at the top and works his awful fashion sense down from there. Various brightly coloured hairstlyes have plagued his career, and while he certainly stands out from the crowd, it's for all the wrong reasons.
Best: Xabi Alonso
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Despite playing for Liverpool, Xabi Alonso eschewed the shell suit at the re-opening of the Adidas store at the Bernabeu. He's another Spaniard who manages the balance of smart and casual very well.
Worst: Julio Cesar
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Julio Cesar has not committed any deadly sins against fashion, but he did turn up to David Luiz's birthday party dressed in a Chelsea shirt and comedy wig. The whole thing was hilarious, but QPR failed to see the funny side and fined their keeper for his antics. Oops.
"#QPR's Julio Cesar donning a Chelsea strip at David Luiz's birthday party. Oops! Bet that went down well... pic.twitter.com/pH5ZWHQdij
— James Fielden (@James_Fielden) April 23, 2013"
Best: Frank Lampard
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Frank Lampard always looks smart, even with the questionable blazer-and-T-shirt combination. See how he has coordinated his cuff buttons and watch? That's style epitomised.
Worst: Andy Carroll
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Andy Carroll desperately needs a haircut. Look at him there, all suited and booted, surrounded by fine art, with hair that is shinier than the gold frames behind him. All that grease could be what is prolonging his recovery from that Achilles injury.
Best: David Luiz
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David Luiz's trademark curls are usually hidden under a woolly hat when he travels around London. Another master of the smart-casual look, he is yet to be pictured wearing red trousers.
Worst: Djibril Cisse
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Djibril Cisse is most famous for dying his hair and beard every colour of the rainbow. It's not a good look Cisse. Just stop it.
Best: Cesc Fabregas
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Despite having to wear the monstrosity that is Barcelona's away kit, Cesc Fabregas is generally a very well-dressed man. That away kit is dreadful, though.
Worst: Gareth Bale
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Gareth Bale's move to Real Madrid was a dream come true. Not only did he become the first Welsh galactico, he got to move closer to his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. The similarities between their fashion stylings are enough to make you cringe.
"Ronaldo meets Gareth Bale. So much grease, so many comments to make that 140 characters will never do it justice pic.twitter.com/UkhHKss6o5
— Adam Digby (@Adz77) September 11, 2013"
Best: David Villa
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It is a struggle to find a photo of David Villa in a T-shirt, which is the mark of a classy man. He's even wearing a tie pin. Why are the Spanish so stylish?
Worst: Neymar
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This is not the only crime Neymar has committed, but it should be noted now that it is never OK to wear a baseball cap backward. Ever.
Best: Sergio Ramos
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There are not enough men who do their shirts up all the way. Sergio Ramos is always well-groomed and stylish, although that will all change when his baby arrives.
"Aw how sweet that @SergioRamos and @PilarRubio_ are becoming parents. Mini Ramos is on the way !! :D pic.twitter.com/a21TuF3ZeB
— `CRISTIANO RONALDO (@Ozil10ismyLife) November 12, 2013"
Worst: Franck Ribery
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This flattering photograph of Franck Ribery was taken on a night out. Man-bags are certainly handy for work, but why you would need one on a night out I have no idea.
Best: Fernando Torres
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Fernando Torres dresses to the definition of smart-casual, and excluding the too-safe, all-black outfit from Kaka, he certainly looks the best in this photo.
Worst: Lionel Messi
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It was a genuinely tough call as to which photo should lead this slide. Eventually the shiny polka dot number beat the brown velvet monstrosity from the 2012 Ballon d'Or gala.
Lionel Messi may be one of the greatest footballers of all time, but his dress sense is appalling.
Best: Mario Balotelli
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Mario Balotelli can certainly wear a suit well, but this combination shows him for the style icon he is. His headphones match his hat, which matches his customised football boots. Attention to detail is key.
Worst: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo has his own fashion line. No, he should not be allowed to dress himself. British retailer Topman have compiled a handy list of mistakes he has made and how to rectify them, but the short shorts he sported this summer must never be forgotten.
Best: David Beckham
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David Beckham has certainly made some questionable fashion choices over the years. The sarong and the full leather suit will live long in the fashion faux pas archives, but he has turned it around since then.
Sharp suits are the new order of the day for the retired Beckham, and with wife Victoria running her own fashion house, it is a virtual guarantee that he will retain his style-icon status for years to come.
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