World Cup 2018 Lookers

Ladies don’t get upset that the remote will be held hostage by the other half during the World Cup which kicks off in Russia on Thursday.

Bring out the popcorn and get comfy on the couch, as elite football has some of the best international eye candy lighting up our screens.

Germany, Brazil and Spain are considered among the top contenders to take the cup home and, if looks are anything to go by, some of the players can certainly be considered the cream of the crop.

The Independent on Saturday team had the arduous task of sifting through the teams vying for the 2018 World Cup, and bringing you their hottest starting 11 dream team.

Kevin Trapp: Germany

With his alluring green eyes, and boyish good looks the 27-year-old goalkeeper for the German national team will celebrate his birthday during the World Cup on July 8. In 2017, Trapp was part of the winning German squad which snatched the Confederations Cup.

Marco Asensio: Spain

He has that scruffy facial hair look that just oozes sexiness. An attacking midfielder for the Spanish national team as well as Real Madrid, the 22-year-old was signed by Real Madrid in 2014 while starting out with Mallorca. He made his debut with the Spanish team in 2016. He has several honours under his belt, which included two Champions League trophies.

Mousa Demele: Belgium

Tall dark and handsome, Demele is set to rock your world for 2018 World Cup. The Belgium player is often spotted taking selfies with fans and this 30-year-old is regarded as one of the world’s best dribblers for keeping the ball in possession.

Adil Rami: France

The tall Rami with the chocolate brown eyes, who plays for Marseilles, as well as for his country, is rumoured to be the toy boy of 50-year-old Pamela Anderson. The 32-year-old French player has been spotted a few times with the Baywatch babe although there has never been confirmation from Rami on the relationship.

Maya Yoshida: Japan

Yoshida plays centre back for Premier League club Southampton and the Japan national team. At 1.89 m tall, this Japanese player has the height and looks, and cuts a striking figure in black suits, and when not in suits too. He loves tweeting fun pics of his teammates and himself in-between training and travelling.

Johan Djourou: Switzerland

His sweet, almond-shaped eyes and smile make him just as nice as Swiss chocolate, and definite eye candy on the team this year. 
He espouses warmth and shares personal stories on his social media platforms, largely inspiring and encouraging quotes such as this: ‘I’m working hard to stay at my best for as long as possible.’ Djourou was born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to Ivorian parents, but was later adopted by his father’s first wife Daniele, a Swiss national. When he was 17 months old, they moved to Geneva.

Neymar: Brazil

Making his professional soccer debut at the tender age of 17 playing for Santos in Brazil, the legendary  26-year-old Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, simply known as Neymar, is a hit on and off the field. The inked-up player, with his charming smile, is a forward for the Brazilian national team, as well as for French club Paris Saint-German. In 2011 and 2012, he was named South American footballer of the year.

Cristiano Ronaldo: 
Portugal

While he may have been around for a while and has set men’s fashion trends for the better part of a decade, but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still 
eye-catching and can seemingly score without much trouble. The 33-year-old plays for European giant Real Madrid and will be playing for his home country Portugal in the World Cup.

M’Baye Babacar Niang: Senegal

This French Senegalese professional footballer with chiselled good looks plays as a forward for Italian club Torino, on loan from Milan. Although he was born in France to Senegalese parents, he is able to play for the Senegalese national team at international level. The 1.84m-tall player made his debut on the Senegalese team last year in October, and this year was announced as part of the squad for the World Cup.

Aleksandr Samedov: Russia

With the pseudo-macho beard and flecks of grey peppering his hair, Samedov looks like the George Clooney of the Russian soccer team. Although not expected to reach the top five, Russia will kick off the games on Thursday in a match against Saudi Arabia. Samedov, 34, plays for Spartak Moscow as a right midfielder. He played in the last World Cup. His dark, brooding looks make him a star attraction on the Russian team.

Karim Ansarifard: Iran

The 28-year-old is center forward with great energy is impressive in both the air and on ground. He plays for Greek club Olympiacos and is part of an Iranian national team that has been voted the best in Asia and hopes to make a mark on the World Cup. But he’s not only one of Asia’s top goalscorers, the 1.86m tall Ansarifard boasts brooding good looks and a lithe, athletic body. Watch out for those shirt changes.

By Staff Reporters

Source: www.iol.co.za