By: Natasha Archary
Women often get a bad rap when it comes to football and whether we understand the “beautiful game” as well as men do. There’s more to it than a soccer field, a bunch of guys running around and playing with a ball you know.
It’s all very technical. Team selections, starting line-ups and decisions around whether to “pass into space”, “switching” during corner kicks or playing the “wall pass” may be too much to wrap our pretty little female heads around, right gents? Yeah, I mean how would we even understand the off-side rule? I mean, so complicated.
Right, now that, that’s off my pretty little head, yes we do enjoy the game as much as our male counterparts. Perhaps even a little more. The eye-candy on offer in Russia at the Fifa World Cup 2018 is enough to satisfy every sweet-tooth. Ladies, where do we even begin?
Now, we’re not into objectifying because not only is that disrespectful as it takes away from these really talented professionals skills on the field, and we know better than that. So instead of selecting the hottest players (for looks alone), we share our list of players who exemplify good sportsmanship too.
In no particular order:
If tall, dark and handsome had a name. He got many women squirming in 2014 after posing nude in Cosmopolitan UK, to raise awareness for cancer. He was quoted as saying, “As a footballer, my body’s my tool – so I have to take care of it. I’m happy with the way I look and what my body is capable of.” Oh, so are we Nacer, so are we.
The West Bromwich Albion and Belgium attacking midefielder, has been out for much of the EPL season with a thigh injury but he is a promising, young player and we love watching him, work the ball.
Despite the man bun, Rúrik is ridiculously good looking. His piercing blue eyes alone. The Icelandic footballer also plays for Sandhausen and is what you get when you mix Channing Tatum with Chris Hemsworth (Thor). He started the Fifa World Cup 2018, in Russia with just 30,000 Instagram followers. After his debut in game against Argentina, his following grew to 760,000 and is still growing.
If Hollywood was looking for a leading man in the next rom-com hit, he would fit that profile. The Croatian professional footballer also plays as a centre-back for Austrian side FC Red Bull Salzburg. So, we know that Croatia crushed Iceland’s World Cup 2018 dream with yesterdays 2-1 win. But this just means we get to feast our eyes on this hunk of a man a little longer.
Sorry CR 7 fans but this young man, (he’s all of 22) has our hearts. The striker was signed by AC Milan for 38 million Euros last year, so all bets are that he will make a name for himself yet. We see Andre’ again on Saturday, when Portugal take on Uruguay.
No, we won’t be seeing the Mo Salah led Pharoahs for the rest of Fifa World Cup 2018. Egypt’s disappointing run, 28 years since they last qualified for a World Cup, has ended. But Mo, as he is lovingly referred to by fans, is still receiving a lot of love from back home. This speaks volumes about the man’s character and his selfless charitable contributions. We love us some Mo Salah.
The Goodwill Ambassador, who pledges a percentage of his salary to an organisation that brings soccer initiatives to disadvantaged kids, is also one of Germany’s strongest defenders. We love a hotty with a heart.
It would not be fair to choose one player from the Iran Fifa World Cup 2018 squad. Did you see this team? They look like cover models. It broke our hearts to see them exit so soon because we could have swooned a little longer. This image of the Iranian team had social media in a frenzy, now you see why we couldn’t choose just one. We will miss you gorgeous boys.
Sad to see Nigeria’s exit against a “Messi” Argentina side. We could have done with a lot more of Leon Balogun. The defender had high praise for Lionel Messi and we have to admire his sportsmanship. Leon and his teammates called for unity after the unfortunate attack on Plateau State. #UnitedWeStandDividedWeFall
A win for Mexico in the “Group of Death” will give hope to a country in political turmoil. Striker Javier Hernandez is confident his team have what it takes. With his impressive 50 international goals, Mexico’s all-time top goal scorer has his sight set firmly on the prize and we love him for that. Play with heart.
Love him or hate him, media reports have called him emotionally weak for crying after Brazil’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica. You know how we feel about men who aren’t afraid to express their emotions. A Brazilian bar is said to be giving out free drinks every time Neymar falls. With his assistance Brazil are through to the round of 16 so can we have some silence from the critics?
This is our Top 10 of the hottest players at the Fifa World Cup 2018. If our list doesn’t include your favourite player, you are free to share your picks with us on social media. Tweet @KayaFM95dot9 using the hashtag #KayaOnline.
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