10 pairs of best friends in world football currently

Nnanna
 Barcelona's Messi and Suarez; Dortmund's Reus and Lewandowski
Barcelona's Messi and Suarez; Dortmund's Reus and Lewandowski

#8 Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford | best friends at Manchester United

Manchester United v FC Basel - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v FC Basel - UEFA Champions League

They may have a five-year difference in age, but Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard went through a rather similar story. They both joined the United academy as 7-year-olds, and they've both risen through the ranks and into the first team at Old Trafford. Today, they jog, hang out, play FIFA, handle press interviews, and even holiday together.

Jesse Lingard famously got in trouble after sharing a controversial tour of their apartment in Miami where the duo had gone on holiday. Rashford defended his best friend openly, and their bond has grown even closer ever since.

Both stars play for the England senior team as well, and with Lingard's improving performances at Old Trafford, they'll likely get more playing time together as well.


#7 Harry Kane and Son Heung-min | best friends at Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur v NS Mura: Group B - UEFA Europa Conference League
Tottenham Hotspur v NS Mura: Group B - UEFA Europa Conference League

When Jose Mourinho said the duo's friendship was key to their seemingly telepathic style of play on the pitch, he wasn't exaggerating. The brilliant striker might be looking all out of sorts today, managing a goal drought that seems to have no end. But Premier League defenders will remember how hard it was to take on Harry Kane alongside Son Heung-min.

Both players have carried Spurs in attack for a few seasons, but while Son has extended his contract at the club, Kane is looking for a way out. Although his transfer problems are affecting results on the pitch, it's only a matter of time before Kane starts scoring for Tottenham again.

With Son at his side, Spurs fans will hope for renewed vigor from the duo in the final third.


#6 John Stones and Harry Maguire | best friends in England's lower leagues

Sweden v England: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Sweden v England: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

They started their respective journeys in youth setups at Sheffield United and Barnsley, and they've both grown to playing for the two largest clubs in Manchester. Harry Maguire and John Stones both grew up in Yorkshire, close to each other, and although they often dueled with each other, the duo are close friends.

Harry Maguire recently shared an emotional tidbit during an interview about how he and Stones are constantly there for each other to lean on during tough times:

"We spoke to each other through times where it's tough. We spoke when it was tough and we speak when it's going well. Like I say, I'm close with John. You go through ups and downs and it's about how you bounce back and believing in yourself and working hard. That's only what you can do."

#5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette | best friends at Arsenal

Arsenal FC v Fulham FC - Premier League
Arsenal FC v Fulham FC - Premier League

The duo met in January 2018 and hit things off immediately, and according to Aubameyang, it was straight out of a bromance novel:

"It was love at first sight! The day I arrived, he came straight up to me and said, 'I hope we'll play together.' I said, 'I hope so too.' I knew we could form a really good partnership and help each other score goals."

Although critics and pundits assumed that Aubameyang might take up Lacazette's spot in front, or vice-versa, the duo's friendship blossomed and they were quick to quell any goalscoring concerns.

In the season after both players joined, they built a brilliant partnership on the field, scoring 50 goals between each other. They're not just brilliant strike partners on the pitch, they're friends outside football as well.

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