10 superstar footballers and their idols

Compatriot Pablo Aimar is Lionel Messi's idol

Being one of the most followed sports in the world, it is obvious that footballers serve as inspirations to millions of their fans. Their dedication, talent, humbleness and charisma are some significant attributes that bring out admiration from the fans who look up to them and consider them as idols in their lives.

Recognised players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and many others have already reserved a respectable place in the hearts of fans all over the globe. And they have driven plenty of aspiring footballers to be like them.

And just like they have been able to influence many, they also modelled their game and style according to their predecessors – icons of the sport who were their childhood heroes. We take a look at eleven modern-day superstars and their footballing idols.

10. Robert Lewandowski - Thierry Henry

Poland international Robert Lewandowski has established himself as one of the best strikers of the game. The Bayern Munich frontman made his move from Borussia Dortmund, a club where he earned his recognition as one of Europe’s most lethal finishers, for free.

One of the many qualities about Lewandowski is that he possesses the traits of a classic no.9 and is a prolific target man. Since his move to Dortmund from Lech Poznan, he has won consecutive Bundesliga titles and also reached the 2012 Champions League final after an unforgettable 4-goal performance against Real Madrid in the semi-final.

And the 31-year-old has admitted that his inspiration to be one of the best goal scorers comes from ex-Arsenal forward Thierry Henry. Lewandowski’s football education on the pitch was gained by watching Henry during his learning phase.

“There was a player I tried to follow; it was Thierry Henry in his time at Arsenal,”

“I liked the way he played a moved on the pitch. I think he was a great player.”

9. Andres Iniesta - Michael Laudrup/Pep Guardiola

Barcelona fielded one of the greatest club football sides in the history of the game from the period of 2008 to 2012. And in the heart of their midfield, this generation has been honoured to witness one of the most immensely gifted and talented midfielders – Andres Iniesta.

With the ball at his feet, Iniesta has often produced magical moments; toying with opponents with his movement and dribbling. He has been the saviour for his club and national side on several instances, most notably scoring the winning goal to give Spain their first World Cup trophy in 2010.

Those magical feet that the world got to watch claims to have idolised Pep Guardiola and Michael Laudrup during his childhood days. During an interview with FIFA, Iniesta revealed that it was these two Blaugrana legends, especially Laudrup (whose style is very much similar to Iniesta’s), whom he closely watched as a child.

“When I was little I always used to watch [Pep] Guardiola and [Michael] Laudrup really closely. They were the two players I most wanted to be like, and I’d try to do the things they did.

“Then, as time goes by and when everything goes well, the lads who are the age you were back then are now watching you. That means that you’re doing the right things.”

Also Read: 10 best Premier League strikers of all time

8. Mario Gotze - Cristiano Ronaldo/Zinedine Zidane

There was Gerd Muller in 1974, Andreas Brehme in 1990, and then there was Mario Gotze in 2014. With his volley in extra-time in the final of the 2014 World Cup against Argentina, Gotze won the trophy for his nation and went down in the history books of German football.

Starting his career at Borussia Dortmund, the attacking midfielder was a focal part of Dortmund’s consecutive Bundesliga title-winning seasons. In 2012, he opted to join league rivals Bayern Munich in a record domestic deal and has since then made a name for himself as one of the best young talents in the world.

He was compared to Barcelona star Lionel Messi after Guardiola experimented with him in the false nine role at Bayern Munich.

As honoured as he was, Gotze stated that he preferred to be called Germany’s Cristiano Ronaldo as he idolises the Portuguese more than the Argentine. However, he has been inspired by Zinedine Zidane since his childhood.

In an interview, Gotze said:

“As far as football is concerned, this must be Zinedine Zidane – for his elegance, his efficiency, and his quiet composure off the pitch.”

The German has since moved back to Borussia Dortmund.

7. Karim Benzema - Ronaldo Nazario

France’s ace forward Karim Benzema has faced criticism several times since his move to Real Madrid in 2009. He hasn’t stacked up quite the ridiculous numbers when compared to his mercurial teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. But there is more to Benzema’s game than just scoring goals.

The striker’s work-rate, link-up play and ability to create opportunities for others makes him a utility player even along with the goal-scoring capabilities at his disposal. He is indeed one of the most effective attackers in the modern game, and he credits Brazilian legend Ronaldo as the one who influenced his playing style.

The Frenchman said:

"Ronaldo Nazario was the greatest. He was fast, technical, creative, opportunist... I watched everything he did since I was a kid.

“If I ever played with him I would always give him the ball. He is unique to me, that's all. I resemble him most in my dribbling skills."

6. Sergio Aguero - Michael Owen

From humble beginnings to one of the world’s deadliest strikers, Sergio Aguero of Manchester City has come a long way and achieved a lot in his career. The Argentine began his career at Independiente in his native country before joining La Liga powerhouse, Atletico Madrid.

After building his reputation in Spain, many clubs took an interest in signing the striker, and Manchester City won the transfer battle as they landed the Argentine at the Etihad after a successful six-year stint with Atletico. Since joining the Premier League outfit, Aguero has made a massive impact, winning four league titles where he was enormously significant in their success.

In his third season with the English champions, Aguero, alongside his high standards on the pitch, decided to release a book on his life and playing career, where he has revealed his boyhood hero.

Unlikely as it may seem, the 2014 World Cup finalist stated that as a youngster he looked up to Liverpool frontman Michael Owen, who was prolific for the Reds before moving to Real Madrid.

In his book, he mentioned:

“City fans might not want to hear it but when I was a kid I wanted to be Owen. I’ve always liked Liverpool.”

5. Oscar - Kaka

Chelsea’s Oscar always wanted to play in Europe, and that dream came true when he joined the Blues in 2012 from Brazilian club Internacional. And that move was also inspired by following in the footsteps of his footballing idol Kaka.

After joining the London club, he became an integral part of the side which also helped his cause in the national side. And the midfielder has admitted that while growing up the most important player for him was Kaka, the man whom he replaced in the Brazil squad.

He had said:

"The most important for me was Kaká because he was at São Paulo; where I started my career. So, he was the biggest idol for us there.”

Oscar has since moved to the Chinese Super League – a move that saw Chelsea pocket a cool £60m.

Also Read: 10 best Premier League strikers of all time

4. Gareth Bale - Cristiano Ronaldo

Gareth Bale has time and again stated that he idolises his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in every way. And that has been evident from the way he has been playing since joining Real Madrid. His free-kick stances, high jumps while entering the field and blistering speed all point towards the fact that the Ballon d’Or winner has heavily influenced him.

It was his wish to play alongside Ronaldo, which was one of the primary reasons for him joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2013. Once the world’s costliest player, he has formed a formidable partnership alongside his role model. And he has enjoyed life at the Santiago Bernabeu with a Copa Del Rey, La Liga and four Champions League trophies in his resume.

To stay at the top of his game, Bale revealed back in his days at Tottenham that a player needs to evolve in the pitch to sustain his success, just like Ronaldo.

“Things are different nowadays, you have to do something new, or otherwise you end up being predictable on the pitch,”

“Like Cristiano Ronaldo – he never misses an opportunity to come up with new ways of doing things. I'd have to go with him. He is my idol.”

3. Neymar - Cristiano Ronaldo/Lionel Messi

Brazilian star forward Neymar’s arrival in Europe was highly anticipated after he decided to leave Santos to make his name in one of the big leagues of the continent. With Real Madrid and Barcelona battling to sign the world’s third-best player (as many would say), Neymar initially gave a big boost to the fans of the capital club after he revealed Cristiano Ronaldo was his idol.

Ahead of his Olympic gold medal match against Mexico in 2012, Neymar claimed:

“I always regarded Cristiano Ronaldo as an idol. Since I started playing football, I always followed him. He is one of the best players in the world.”

The transfer, though, never happened as Barca succeeded in capturing him after he chose to play alongside Lionel Messi in Azulgrana colours. After pairing with the Argentine superstar, Neymar’s preference shifted towards his teammate as he expressed his happiness in being able to share the dressing room with his idol.

“Messi is an idol of mine and I am very happy to be with him and playing alongside him. He is a great player and a great person”

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Ronaldo Nazario

For Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the greatest player of all time and his role model always has been Ronaldo – The Phenomenon. Growing up as a footballer, the Swedish forward has always looked up to the iconic Brazilian striker.

Ibrahimovic even had a similar career when one compares the clubs they have both played for. Both of them played for AC Milan, Inter Milan and Barcelona. Both players also rose to prominence while playing in the Eredivisie.

Ibrahimovic isn't known for his modesty and isn’t shy of admiring himself as the best in the business. But, when it comes to Ronaldo, the former Malmo youth player is more than willing to concede the Brazilian is the better player.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he said:

“The best opponent of my career? I've played against many, many good players, so I don't know who to keep. But I would say

Ronaldo, 'El Fenomeno'

. Why? Because he was my idol and because, as a football player, he was complete.

“There will never, in my view, be a better player than him”

1. Lionel Messi - Pablo Aimar

Lionel Messi has been a keen follower of former Argentina midfielder Pablo Aimar and admitted that as a youngster, he modelled his style of play according to his compatriot. The Barcelona forward is widely regarded as the best player of the modern game and has won numerous individual and collective accolades in his career.

And Aimar has been immensely influential to Messi throughout his career. The forward credited the former Benfica and Valencia midfielder as his inspiration.

Back in 2012 after a Champions League game between Barcelona and Benfica, Messi stated: