15 adorable photos of footballers and their children

Footballers are much more than just players, and there is much more to them than just goals and passes. Many of them are fathers, and they don’t refrain themselves from showing their love for their younglings on social media.Inspired from Buzzfeed’s 24 Ridiculously Hot Soccer Dads That Will Make Your Uterus Explode (weird title, I know!), we have decided to find the best photos from the Instagram accounts of footballers who are also fathers.In this slideshow, we have churned out 15 such photos of footballers and their kids that will melt your heart:

#1 Lionel Messi with his son Thiago

Lionel Messi is known to be a man who prefers to lead a private life, and holds his family as the most important part of his life. Messis girlfriendAntonella Roccuzzo gave birth to Thiago on2 November 2012, and boy was he happy! Following his birth, Messi said, Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!

He even got Thiagos name and handprints imprinted on his left calf.The father-son duo was alsopart of a publicity campaignfor UNICEF back in June, 2014 to celebrate Thiagos birthday.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo and Cristiano Jr.

Cristiano Ronaldo loves his life, but he loves his son, Cristiano Jr. more than that. Upon his birth on 3 July 2010, the identity of Cristiano Jr.’s mother was left un-announced, and Ronaldo took over the full custody.

Despite not having a mother by his side, Ronaldo’s girlfriend Irina Shayk and his mother, Dolores Aveiro are always seen to be around him, thus filling the void for young Cristiano Jr., but with Russian model now nowhere in the picture, Ronaldo and his son are seen enjoying some good father-son time!

#3 Marcelo and his son Enzo

Marcelo is a frequent Instagram user, and you could often see him post photos of him with his son,Enzo Gattuso Alves. Marcelo married his longtime girlfriendClarisse Alves back in 2008, and the couple had their first child on24 September 2009.

#4 Lukas Podolski and little Louis

This is a photo taken after Arsenal had secured their first major, the FA Cup last season. Podolski had his first child with longtimegirlfriend Monika Puchalski on 14 April 2008and named himLouis Gabriel Podolski.

Louis sure has brought his parents together as they marriedin a civil ceremony in Cologne, Germany in April 2011.

#5 David Villa and Luca

David Villa might be all about business when it comes to football, he is indeed the highest Spanish scorer, right? But, apart from that, heis also known to be a family man, and had married his longtime girlfriendPatricia Gonzlez in 2003.

The couple together has three children, Zaida, Olaya and Luca. Interestingly, Olaya is named after Villas Spanish team-mate Fernando Torres wife, who is also said to be a very close friend to Patricia.

Villa has even went on to inscribe their names on his adidas boots.

#6 Alvaro Arbeloa having fun with his family in Disneyland

The Real Madrid fullback had married his girlfriend Carlota Ruiz back in 2009 after they met each other when Arbeloa was just 17. The couple has givenbirth to their second child recently, with Alba being their first born.

#7 Wayne, Kai and Klay

According to Manchester United star WayneRooney, it was his wife who sorted his life out after they married on12 June 2008 after six years of being in a relationship, during which Rooney had admitted having been involved in soliciting prostitutes.

The couple gave birth to their first son Kaion 2 November 2009, and another boy last yearon 21 May 2013, whom they named Klay.

#8 Neymar and his son David Luca

Neymar had become a father at a very young age. His babys mother,Carolina Dantas had given birth to David Luca in August 2011, and it was a very emotional momentfor the Barcelona star.

"I cried when I learned that I would be his father, he told reporters. At first, I felt fear. Then joy. It is a new responsibility and I am now enjoying it."

#9 Kaka with his wife and children

Kaka is a religious role-model for several of his Brazilian teammates including Neymar, and his religious background is one of the reasons that keeps him so close to his family.

He had married his childhood love Caroline Celico back in 2005, and since then, they have had two children, a son calledLuca Celico Leiteand a daughterIsabella. Isabella is the younger one.

#10 Cesc Fabregas and Lia

This is one of those stories that are not like fairy tales. Not much is known about Daniella Semaan, but Lebanese-born Daniella was apparently married to her London-based, millionaire businessman husband, Elie Taktouk, when she met Cesc Fabregas for the first time.

She even had two children, and was happy with the relationship. However, the couple recently had a newborn last year in April, their daughter named Lia.

#11 Gerard Pique and Milan

International popstar Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll had been dating football star Gerard Piqu since February 2011. The Colombian-born songstress has had hits around the world, and is famous for tracks including Hips dont Lie and Whenever, Wherever.

The couple recently had their first born, a boy whom they named Milan. In spite of her pregnancy, Shakira doesn't seem to have lost her shape and her recent music video with American music artist Rihanna 'Can't Remember to Forget You' is an evidence to that. With a glut of trophies in Pique's cabinet and a She-Wolf girlfriend like Shakira, your life is going in the right path my son.

#12 Miroslav Klose and his twins

The all timeGerman top-scorer has two sons with wife Sylwia, Luan and Noah, both twins.

Since Klose was born in Poland, he has admitted that he and his wife communicate in Polish when at home with their children, who speak German fluently too.

#13 Xabi Alonso and his adorable twins

A quite yet friendly Xabi Alonsohad married his significant other Nagore Aramburu, and the couple have given birth to three children, namedJontxu, Ane and Emma.

#14 Clint Dempsey

The American football star had married his girlfriend BethanyKeegan Dempsey, and the couplehave three children, a daughter named Elyse, a son named Jackson and a daughter named Sophia.

#15 Iker Casillas

Iker Casillas had his first baby boy with girlfriend Sara Carbonero, Martinin January 2014. The couple has been dating since 2009, andthe Real Madrid goalkeeper was even caught on camera kissing her duringaninterview.