All time Dreamiest XI

In the thick of the game, appearances in football couldn’t really matter less. It’s skill that really takes the breath away in the beautiful game, an immaculate through ball where no other player would have seen one, a couple of gracefully carried out stepovers to beat your man, or maybe just a Ronaldinho samba dance to send defenders sprawling to the ground.

And yet, in terms of marketability looks do matter. Ronaldinho, the Brazilian world player of the year winning superstar was famously passed on by Real Madrid because he was too ‘ugly’. The fact that he would join their biggest rivals and win them a stunning array of success would of course pinch in the future, but in this piece we look at the all-time dreamiest 11, the best looking footballers to have graced the game, and rest assured, their footballing talent isn’t in much doubt either.

Goalkeeper:

Loris Karius

We start with the new Liverpool goalkeeper, who’s just arrived from Mainz. The 1.89 meter blond is certainly handsome enough to make people stop in the street and the fact that Jurgen Klopp made him a priority in Liverpool’s transfer window says volumes about his talent. The 23 year old German should firmly entrench himself in Anfield hearts if he manages to live up to the hype, for his talent and good looks both, one has to say.

Defenders:

Paolo Maldini

Maldini is one of the players for whom it seems insufficient to use the word legend for. He is a player who would walk into an all-time 11 based on talent alone as well. A complete icon for Milan and Italy, he accumulated a staggering 1028 professional appearances in 24 years for AC Milan and Italy. Maldini received numerous proposals from top Italian fashion designers, such as Armani and Versace, to promote their clothes but he always kindly refused by reminding them that his place was on the soccer field and not the catwalk.

Gerard Pique

The Barcelona center back is another player who’s cemented his legacy as a player in our generation. Marrying superstar Shakira has also brought him much limelight, and apart from his star footballer status, his blue eyes and smashing good looks would have most definitely helped in wooing her. An impressive three quarters of 1,891 women surveyed by Match.com said they fancied the former Manchester United player as he was voted ‘The most handsomest player’ of the ongoing European Championships.

Fabio Cannavaro

Cannavaro made the bald look cool when he carried Italy to their world cup 2006 win. The former Juve and Real Madrid has had an exceedingly illustrious career, was the first defender to win the World Player of the year in a long time and won numerous trophies in his long career.

He’s grown hair now, but still looks as dashing as ever.

Jerome Boateng

The German and Bayern Munich defender is a style icon in Germany. Boateng was named Germany's best-dressed man in 2015 according to Germany's GQ magazine. He’s often sharing pictures on his snazzy outfits on his social media accounts and linking in with his love of fashion, it may come as no surprise to know that he has around 650 pairs of shoes and trainers.

He’s also one of the best and versatile defenders around and has had a phenomenal European Championships (barring the inexplicable handball against Italy).

Midfielders:

David Beckham

There was never any doubt that Beckham was going to be here, was there? One of the most well known players in football, Beckham took the term superstar to another level. He was keenly sought after by lothing designers, health and fitness specialists, fashion magazines, perfume and cosmetics manufacturers, hair stylists, exercise promoters, and spa and recreation companies. Everyone wanted a piece of the Englishman.

His playing career was also remarkably distinguished, turning out for the most stories and prestigious clubs in the world in Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Kaka

The Brazilian World player of the year winning midfield phenomenon was famously courted by Giorgio Armani himself to be one of his leading models. Kaka of course was more interested in football, and aren’t we glad!

He had a vastly decorated career, winning the Champions League with Milan and several more titles with Real Madrid. The sight of seeing him glide past players with flair and finesse is still fresh in the memory.

George Best

George Best is one of the legends of the game we’re willing to rewind back several years for. Though his career was cut short because of his drinking habits, he was always great with the ladies and was quite a hearthrob in his time.

He also remains one of the most talented and skillfull players to ever grace the game and possessed tremendous dribbling ability and flair. He won the Balon D’or and the European Cup in 1968.

Attackers:

Raul

The Real Madrid icon carried himself with immense grace and style wherever he went and will always remain cemented in Real Madrid history. 323 goals in 741 appearances for Madrid at a time and 40 in 98 games for Schalke more than prove his marksmanship and stature.

Raul last turned out in the MLS for the New York Cosmos in the 2014-15 season before he retired.

Olivier Giroud

Voted the World’s sexiest footballer by GQ and Esquire of late, Giroud is certainly considered immensely handsome by the footballing and the non-footballing world. In 2014 he became the face of Hugo Boss's ‘Boss Bottled’ men's fragrance as well.

He might consistently draw the ire of Arsenal fans but had a pretty impressive Euro 2016 campaign, and should be able to hold his own in our star-studded lineup. He’ll certainly draw the fans to the stadium at the very least.

David Villa

Another Spaniard and another of the best goalscorers in Spanish history. David Villa, with his trademark and immaculate ‘soul patch’ certainly caught the eye of a lot of the female fan following during international tournaments.

El Guaje, is still active, playing for New York City in the MLS and drawing fans to the stadium and is Spain’s all time top goalscorer with 59 goals in 97 games.

Here is our All-time Dreamiest 11:

Honourable Mentions : Cristiano Ronaldo, Daley Blind, Fernando Torres, Christian Vieri, Mats Hummels, Theo Walcott, Clarence Seedorf, Gianluigi Buffon, Roque Santa Cruz, Hidetoshi Nakata.