Image via Complex Original
Ah, the beautiful game. A sport with pageantry and tradition that is only matched by the vanity that its players place in their personal appearance. Seriously, the preening of the world's most talented footballers is unseen in most other sports. But while the gaudy Gucci clutches are still around, a lot of guys, mostly European, are abandoning their trashy style tendencies. In its place, is a generation of footballers who have a keen eye on fit, setting, and not looking like complete jerkasses. As the World Cup sets off, it's time to recognize these 10 Soccer Players Who Don't Dress Like Euro Trash Douchebags.
Nickolaus Sugai is a writer in New York.
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Claudio Marchisio
Club & Country: Juventus/Italy
Italian heartthrob Claudio Marchisio has been named by the Italians "The Little Prince" because of his blue eyes and defined jawline. In fact, his eyes are so popular that it's become part of his suggested search results when you Google him. Don't stare too deeply into them, that's how he baits poor Serie A players into making bad passes mid pitch. He's most commonly seen in Italian designers and is actually featured in Dolce & Gabbana underwear ads. This dude would not be out of place strolling through Pitti Uomo and getting snapped by Tommy, Scott, and Nam.
Raheem Sterling
Club & Country: Liverpool/England
Of all the guys on this list, Raheem Sterling dresses the closest to what most Complex readers are used to. He told Rwdmag.com earlier last year that he "got that skinny jeans swag," and, "I like Blazers, Jordans and Air Forces." This 19-year-old could be dropped in the line at the new 21M or Supreme and not miss a beat. He also thinks Luis Suarez dresses like a tool, which has to be endearing to any Ghana or Everton fan. Sterling's style has caught the eye of Nike, which is fit on making him one of the faces for Nike FC going forward. Hopefully, he gets some decent playing time on Saturday and kicks a howler past Gigi "the ageless wonder" Buffon.
Daniel Sturridge
Club & Country: Liverpool/England
Raheem's Sterling's club and country teammate, Daniel Sturridge self proclaimed himself the best dressed on Liverpool. In fact, he may be the best dressed soccer player in the world, or at the very least, the most fashion forward. His personal Instagram is filled with some of Complex's favorite looks such as #cokeboy, tech Ninja, and cameos by his Red Octobers. Sturridge said his style ambition is mostly derived from the NBA and NFL, where being loud and forward is welcomed. He said that Mario Balotelli helped him break out of his shell to wear whatever he wants to wear.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Club & Country: Real Madrid/Portugal
No soccer list is complete without mention of the BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER IN THE WORLD (Sorry, Lionel). CR7 is without a doubt, a recovering Euro trash douche. Before Real Madrid, his sartorial decisions were downright awful and it looked like the raided the sale rack at DSquared2 in 2006. But, in the past couple years, Cristiano's style has evolved from embellished jeans to post-Louis Vuitton belt buckles. He looks at his best with a hard line in his head and a super tailored suit. But, a lot of people would argue, perhaps, he looks best without any of those things us regular humans call shirts.
Gareth Bale
Club & Country: Real Madrid/Wales
Poor Gareth. Him and his fellow Welsh brother Aaron Ramsey are going to be watching the World Cup from a couple of bean bags in Cardiff. Maybe they'll call up Zlatan to come over if he brings a case of Joe Hart's water. Like, most of us, Bale's ascent to sartorial greatness has had its fair share of ups and downs. But in the past few years, he's really sharpened his act and settling into his role as one of the top ten soccer players in the world. His look is further solidified by his slick haircut, one that he insists gets cut every four to five days.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Club & Country: Bayern Munich/Germany
The fact that we plebian folk desire bodies like athletes is apparently being called "Spornosexual." It basically means we are unhappy with our 60 hours a week, Chinese food delivery, go-to-yoga-once-a-month bodies. Bastian Schweinsteiger is a specimen, probably created by Dieter Rams deep inside a German lab. When Schweinsteiger does manage to keep his shirt on, his go-to seems to be boots and a mix of leather jackets and canvas M-65s. The light scarf indoor look is usually a little insufferable, but a lot of things are forgivable when you're world class midfielder for Die Mannschaft.
Xabi Alonso
Club & Country: Real Madrid/Spain
Xabi Alonso will be representing Spain for one last shot of glory. The midfielder has had a successful run on both club and country level and is looking to contribute in any way he can in Brazil. Alonso's style is what you expect a 32-year-old Spanish celebrity to-be. Suits sans neckties and the top three buttons unbuttoned, ready to creep on you, your girl, your Mom, and even your dog. Sometimes, he'll throw on an ascot just for good measure for extra DM floating.
Mario Balotelli
Club & Country: AC Milan/Italy
"Ohhhhhhhh, Balotelli, he's a striker, he gives no fucks!" Every football fan's favorite player to hate, Balo's polarizing personality is only matched by his outrageous sense of style. He's so deeply embedded in Euro Douche tendencies, that he has to be given a free pass. His arrogant and brash attitude toward fashion earns him a place on this list. His bizarre fashion choices come directly from his complete disregard for whatever the hell we think of him. Which is, of course, the central tenent of having a personal sense of style that is uniquely yours. Why always you Balo?
Olivier Giroud
Club & Country: Arsenal/France
This French striker is casually cool in the way that only the French can pull off. He's the kind of dude that sends you selfies of himself in the morning before you wake up. Giroud's style is a mix of French countryside casual and "this-T-shirt-costs-me-€200." Like a lot of his Euro peers, he's abandoned tight V-necks in favor of slubby tops from All Saints or Rag and Bone. He usually rounds off his look with a simple pair of loafers to remind you that he tax bracket is simply known as "Your kind isn't welcome here."
Keisuke Honda
Club & Country: AC Milan/Japan
In the search for the next international soccer star, a few names have been thrown into the mix—the usual suspects, like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Oscar are there, but none is more provocative than Keisuke Honda. An Asian male hasn't reached global athlete status since Bruce Lee, but Honda is even being speculated by the New York Times as the next David Beckham. Honda's style is a hybrid of Japanese streetwear and Italian chic. His dyed blonde hair also sets him apart on the streets of Milan and on the pitch in Brazil.