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World Cup-bound Brazilian soccer star Neymar is as stylish off the pitch as on it. Photo: AP

Five most stylish World Cup soccer stars: Neymar and Ronaldo score on the fashion front

Paul Pogba, Mesut Özil and Keisuke Honda, and top Brazilian and Portuguese stars are following a trail blazed by England star David Beckham and Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata. So which are their favourite fashion labels?

Fashion

With the World Cup a matter of days away, we are being bombarded with all things soccer-related, no matter how tenuous. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that (unless you hate soccer, of course).

Soccer and fashion were two things that were once at odds, but thanks to the likes of England star David Beckham and Japan’s dynamo midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, they are now much more simpatico.

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As the opening match in Moscow creeps ever closer, we take a look at five stylish players to look out for. These guys may not end up winning the ultimate prize on the pitch, but you can bet they’ll be looking like champions off it.

Sadly, we didn’t include Spanish right back and fashion follower Hector Bellerin, as poor Hector didn’t make Spain’s World Cup squad, while menswear aficionados around the globe will be softly weeping that Italy didn’t even qualify.

Paris Saint-Germain player Neymar. Photo: AP

1. Neymar, Brazil

Of course we have to start with Neymar. Messi might be the best player in the world, and Cristiano Ronaldo the most vain, but of all the players at this World Cup, Neymar is peerless when it comes to fashion.

The Brazilian is a big fashion lover. Photo: AFP

As with his playing style, Neymar isn’t afraid of making bold and audacious choices when it comes to clothes. The Paris Saint-Germain star has a weakness for Balmain and Louis Vuitton. Expect him to make headlines in the fashion press as well as the sports pages this summer.

Germany’s Mesut Ozil has his own fashion label. Photo: Alamy

2. Mesut Özil, Germany

The midfield maestro, who plays his club soccer for Arsenal, is a big fan of street wear and has his own fashion label, conveniently named after himself.

Arsenal’s Ozil with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: EPA-EFE

“Fashion is my passion. With my own fashion collection, I’ll bring my favourite style to the streets,” says Mesut on his website. A casual glance at his social media shows Ozil has a fondness for Kanye West’s Yeezy label, Off-White and soccer players’ favourite Balmain.

Japan’s Keisuke Honda. Photo: Kyodo

3. Keisuke Honda, Japan

Following in the footsteps of fashion aficionado Nakata was always a tall order, but Honda has done himself proud over the years with his bleached hair and penchant for wearing two wristwatches.

Honda is often seen in tailored Italian suits. Photo: Alamy

Favouring tailored Italian suits and more often than not sporting sunglasses, Honda’s style is the opposite of the “look at me” style most modern footballers are guilty of.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez. Photo: AP

4. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

CR7 is pushing 33 and this might be his last World Cup, so expect the living legend to bust a lung to win the only trophy missing from his collection. Off the pitch, Cristiano, never shy of attention, will be trying to peddle his signature denim collection, underwear, fragrance and all manner of other things that bear his name.

Portuguese striker Ronaldo poses with the Ballon d'Or award in Paris last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

His personal style, however, is a little more in the luxe category, with loud and brash brands Gucci and Philipp Plein among his favourites.

France’s Paul Pogba. Photo: Alamy

5. Paul Pogba, France

For Pogba, the World Cup will either be a huge success or a crippling failure; there’s no middle ground for the Manchester United midfielder, who is all about extremes. From his ever changing haircuts (expect a new one for every game) to his on-pitch dabbing, Pogba is the ultimate show-off.

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Away from soccer, Pogba is another Balmain devotee, although he is fond of Givenchy and Balenciaga too.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Soccer stars score in swanky stakes
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