Footballer players are much more than what we seem them on the pitch. There is much more to them than just scoring goals, dribbling past two-three defenders, making bone-crunching tackles, pulling off extraordinary saves.
Off the pitch, they all have their own personal lives where they bond with their family and loved ones. And like every other human being of the modern world, they do not refrain from expressing their love for their family and loved ones on social networking platforms.
Some of the world renowned footballers are fathers, and they often post pictures with their children on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram among others. Here, are the most adorable pictures of 20 top footballers with their children.
#1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, arguably the best footballer in the world right now, is also a loving family man. We all know that the Argentine forward prefers to lead a private life off the pitch. However, as is evident from his numerous posts on social media, he loves his family and regards it as the most important part of his life.
His partner Antonella Roccuzzo gave birth to the couple’s first son, Thiago on 2 November 2012. Messi’s second son, Mateo, was born on 11 September 2015. He has Thiago’s name and handprints tattooed on his calf.
Among the numerous photos of Messi with his children, this particular photo stands out in terms of cuteness quotient. This moment of bliss was captured by Roccuzzo, as Messi slept peacefully with his son sleeping beside him.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is considered as one of the best footballers in the world. Outside the football pitch, though, he is a loving and caring father. Almost every other post on Instagram by Ronaldo is of his son Cristiano Jr.
Cristiano Jr. was born on 17 June 2010 in the United States and while the mother’s name was never revealed Ronaldo assumed full custody of the child. In a recent interview, the recently crowned World Footballer of the Year had said that he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps and take up football.
This particular photo that Ronaldo posted on Instagram was at the time that Cristiano Jr. had just lost his second tooth. It is so cute!
#3 David Beckham
Perhaps the most popular footballer in the world, David Beckham is known to be a complete man. He has been married to Victoria Beckham for 18 years and the couple has four children, three sons, and a daughter, together.
His first son Brooklyn was born in 1999, Romeo was born in 2002 while Cruz was born in 2005. Harper Seven, who was born in 2011, is the youngest of all children.
This particular photo where he is enjoying a little daytime nap with his daughter on his chest shows the connect.
#4 Kaka
Kaka is perhaps the most loved footballer of the modern generation. He is loved by all football fans unanimously, club allegiances do not matter when it comes to this Brazilian playmaker. Now, at the fag end of his career, the 34-year-old plies his trade at Orlando City in the MLS.
Kaka has two children with his ex-wife, Caroline Celico. His son, Luca Celico Leite was born in 2008 while his daughter Isabella was born in 2011. Despite the divorce in 2015, Kaka enjoys a good relationship with his former wife and both children.
The numerous posts on Instagram are a testament to the fact that he is a loving father. This candid photo with his daughter is as cute as it gets.
#5 Neymar
The next star of world football, Neymar, is one of the most popular upcoming footballers. He is Brazil’s darling and the only hope for a World Cup title in the forthcoming years.
Outside the pitch, the 24-year-old has tried his hand at a few things like music, acting, and business. However, the one thing that he excels in off the pitch is fatherhood. With his ex-girlfriend, Neymar has a son, David Lucca, who was born in 2011.
At the birth of his son, Neymar said, “I cried when I learned that I would be his father. At first, I felt fear. Then joy. It is a new responsibility and I am now enjoying it.”
#6 Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez is perhaps the most destructive striker in world football at the moment. The prolific goal-scorer has had his share of controversies on the pitch, but off the pitch, he is a normal human being like the rest of us.
Suarez has a daughter and a son, Delfina, and Benjamin, with his wife Sofia Balbi. He is a good husband and a doting father, who loves spending time with the family.
This picture from Mother’s Day last year, with the three of them wearing connected T-shirts, wishing Sofia a happy mother’s day is absolutely adorable.
#7 Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney is the highest all-time goal scorer for both Manchester United and England. On the pitch, he is a respected figure. He has won numerous laurels during his career and regarded as one of England’s best footballers.
Despite some controversies regarding adultery, Rooney is said to be a complete family man. With his wife Coleen, he has three sons. Kai Wayne, the eldest was born in 2009 followed by Klay Anthony in 2013 and Kit Joseph in 2016.
The picture of him with his two eldest sons, Kai and Klay, all suited up is too adorable.
#8 Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo has won everything on the football field – from the World Cup with Italy to numerous league titles. The midfield maestro, now at the fag end of his career, plays in the MLS for New York City FC.
Pirlo has two children with former wife Deborah Roversi, whom he married in 2001. Son, Niccolo was born in 2003 while daughter, Angela was born in 2006. Despite his divorce in 2014, Pirlo is a loving and caring father and maintains a cordial relationship with his ex-wife.
This particular picture of him enjoying a little pool session with his children emphasises his love for his children.
#9 Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League. On the pitch, the Argentine is known for his sharpness and goal-scoring abilities. Off the pitch, he is a loving father who spends a lot of time with his son.
Aguero married Gianinna Maradona, daughter of legendary footballer Diego Maradona and in 2009 they had a son and named him Benjamin. However, the couple divorced in 2013.
This candid picture of Aguero enjoying some quality time with his son, playing on the PlayStation is as charming as it gets.
#10 Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is regarded as a Liverpool legend. The midfielder retired from professional football last year after spending the last season of his career playing for MLS side LA Galaxy.
The former English international married Alex Curran in 2007 and the couple are in the 10th year of their marriage. They have three daughters – Lily-Ella, who was born in 2004, Lexie, who was born in 2006 and Lourdes, who was born in 2011.
The picture of Gerrard with his daughters enjoying at the beach is very cute.
#11 Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is perhaps the best player Wales has ever produced, certainly one of the bests. He is known for his incredible pace and ball control.
The Real Madrid star got engaged to his partner Emma Rhys-Jones, his high school sweetheart in July last year. They have two children together. Alba Violet, their first child was born in 2012 while their second daughter, Nava Valentina was born in 2016.
Bale posts a lot of pictures with his family on his social media account. However, this picture which was taken after one of Wales’ victories in the Euro Cup is a personal favourite.
#12 Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta extra-time goal had given Spain their first World Cup in 2008 and naturally, he is considered a hero in his country. He is also one of the best midfielders of the current generation.
In 2008, he started dating Anna Ortiz and the couple got married in 2012. Iniesta’s daughter Valeria was born in 2011 while his son Paolo Andrea was born in 2015. In 2014, the couple had another child, Andres Jr., who was stillborn.
This absolutely delightful picture of Iniesta hugging his daughter was posted by Anna Ortiz on her Instagram page.
#13 Robin Van Persie
Robin Van Persie, ‘the Flying Dutchman’, has played for two of the most successful clubs in England, Arsenal and Manchester United. Known for his wicked left foot, he now plays for Turkish side Fenerbahce.
He married Bouchra Elbali of Morroco and the couple has a son and a daughter together. While Shaqueel was born in 2006, daughter Dina was born in 2009.
This picture of Van Persie celebrating the Premier League title as a Manchester United player with his family is adorable.
#14 Xabi Alonso
Popularly known as football’s coolest man, Xabi Alonso, is known for his thunderous strikes from distance. He has played at some of the top clubs in the world, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
He is married Nagor Aranburu and they have three children together. Jontxu was born in 2008, while daughters Ane and Emma were born in 2010 and 2013 respectively.
This picture of Xabi enjoying a sunset with his two daughters shows how much he loves and cares for his children.
#15 Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas is a very successful Spanish footballer. He has played at Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea and has earned numerous plaudits for his performances over the years.
He has two daughters with his partner Daniella Semaan. The first daughter, Lia, was born in 2013 while the second one, Capri, was born in 2015.
Fabregas is a doting father, as is evident from the numerous posts on Instagram. This picture, in particular, where his elder daughter is pouting and he is, of course, trying to pull off a similar expression, is too cute.
#16 James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez became famous after a very successful World Cup in 2014 where he ended as the tournament’s highest scorer. Following the World Cup, he moved to Real Madrid. He is a very popular figure in world football.
He married volleyball player Daniele Ospina, sister of goalkeeper David Ospina, in 2011. The couple has a daughter named Salome who was born in 2013.
In this cute picture, we can see the father and daughter sharing a father-daughter moment on the swimming pool.
#17 Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid superstar Sergio Ramos is one of the best defenders in the world at the moment. He is known to score important goals at the last moment. On the field, he has been immensely successful winning a lot of trophies.
In 2012 he entered a relationship with Pilar Rubio and the couple announced that they were expecting their first child in 2013. In May 2014, Pilar gave birth to Sergio Ramos Rubio.
On the field, he may be an aggressive player, but off it, he is a loving and caring father. This picture of Ramos pouting and Ramos Jr. giving a cute expression can melt anyone’s heart.
#18 Gerard Pique
Gerrard Pique has been Barcelona’s mainstay in defence since Carles Puyol’s retirement. He has won both on and off the pitch.
Since 2010, he has been in a relationship with Colombian pop singer Shakira, who is 10 years older than him. Milan, their son, was born in 2013 while their daughter, Sasha was born in 2015.
This picture of Pique caressing Milan with Sasha on her brother’s lap is just too cute.
#19 Marcelo
Marcelo is considered as one of the best left-backs of the current generation. His exploits down the left flank for Real Madrid and Brazil have been lauded several times.
He has been married to his long-time girlfriend Clarice Alaves since 2008. In 2009, the couple had their first child, a son who they named Enzo Gattuso Alves Vieira. Liam, their second son was born in 2015.
This picture of Marcelo with his sons at a park is absolutely adorable. Just look at little Liam on all fours, so cute!
#20 Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti is an Italian legend. He has played at Roma for 25 years and is the most capped and highest goal scoring player in the club’s history.
Very much like his professional life, he is a loyal and caring husband and a doting father off the pitch. He has been married to Ilary Blasi, a former showgirl, since 2007. They have three children together, Cristian, Chanel and Isabel who were born in 2005, 2007 and 2016 respectively.
The picture shows the entire family enjoying some quality time at the beach.
