Association football is a really high-paying profession at the very top level. The very best players of the planet earn millions every year by taking the pitch in the stadium.
By virtue of becoming top-level footballers, top professionals create a great brand value of their own as well. Good-looking players are the heartthrobs of fans everywhere and serve as very effective brand ambassadors.
They command large endorsement fees of their own, sometimes in amounts even higher than their yearly wages. David Beckham is one of the prime examples of such players, having become one of first footballers of note to command a huge following for his looks, composure and class off the field.
The following are 5 active players who could have taken up modelling full-time:
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese footballer has a plethora of modelling contracts to his name, with wages that would put nearly everyone in the modelling industry to shame. With his 4th Ballon D’Or win representing another upturn in his career graph, his reputation is only growing with the passage of time.
Ronaldo currently endorses Nike and has been their most visible brand ambassador from the world of football for a long time now.He has signed a £1 billion lifetime contract with the US sportswear giants this November.
He has his own fashion line with the brand name of CR7, which is a significant investment into clothing and shoes. He also endorses a number of other brands, earning a whopping sum of $79 million in the 2014-15 season, mostly through these contracts.
#2 Olivier Giroud
The Frenchman is blessed with the looks of a Greek god, which have won him lots of female attention on the internet – especially since the time he signed for Arsenal. He has performed both on and off the pitch since moving to London – scoring modelling contracts from the likes of Hugo Boss and Dieux de Stade.
Giroud is a known smoker and has a number of tattoos spread through his torso. The one on his left arm demands special attention, reading ‘‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’.
As of May 2014, Giroud had a net worth of $245 million, commanding huge endorsement fees on account of his killer looks and charisma on and off the pitch.
#3 Andrea Pirlo
The Italian midfielder has earned his place among the pantheon of the hottest footballers ever since the time he began sporting his masterful beard, which goes perfectly with his perfect mane. The 36-year-old has endorsed some of the most renowned luxury brands out there, but his major earning source during his prime was from his deal with Nike.
He has appeared in a number of viral Nike commercials – most notably alongside Kobe Bryant in the Nike Soccer advertisement The Last Game. Other than his lucrative contract with MLS side New York City FC, Pirlo also has a stake in his father’s company Elg Steel – a prominent Italian business.
He also owns a vineyard and is well-known wine connoisseur – all adding to his charisma off the field. A much-loved figure in world football, Pirlo would surely have been successful as a professional model with all these credentials.
#4 Sergio Ramos
Ramos is one of the most popular footballing heartthrobs of the world, primarily because of his penchant of sporting striking hairstyles. During the time of his transfer to Real Madrid, he sported long, blond locks – he continued doing so till the end of the 2011-12 season, cutting off his hair after achieving his long-term goal of winning the La Liga title that season.
Ever since, he has kept a variety of stylish, classy hairdos. He also sports an assortment of tattoos all over his upper body – he recently got a cryptic numeric tattoo before going to the Club World Cup.
Standing at an impressive 6’ height, Ramos has a world-class physique toned by his regular gymming habits. The Spanish centre-back is one of the best in the endorsements business as well, raking in a handsome sum from Nike.
#5 Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso’s most noticeable feature is his wonderfully cultured beard, which perfectly suits his square jaw. The Spaniard, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, has sported virtually the same beard for over 8 years now.
Other than that, his classy sense of style, which he shows in his public appearances, have won him much attention on social media. His confident persona, well-cultured manner of speaking and command of the English language (which he gained during his time at Liverpool) serve to skyrocket his worth as a brand ambassador.
He endorses IWC & Emidio Tucci, in addition to being the face of Adidas’ Porsche Design clothing line. His personality, charisma and ability on the pitch make him an impeccable model.
