It is undeniable that football is one of the highest-paid sports in the world, earning the players both lucrative incomes and a worldwide reputation for their talents. However, behind every great man, there is a woman. In other words, the enviable success of football stars is partly thanks to their other half, who will accompany them through the ups and downs of their career. And as wives or girlfriends of football stars, these WAGs - as they are known, also receive a lot of attention from the public and football fans alike. Even though some WAGs keep a low-key profile, the majority stay in the spotlight, attracting the media for their life and relationships with the stars. To know more about these women, let's take a look at the 20 most famous WAGs in the world and their football romances.
Top 20 hottest footballers and their partners
Lionel Messi's wife - Antonella Roccuzzo
Often called the GOAT - Greatest Player of All Time, Lionel Messi boasts an enviable career glittered with all kinds of achievement, from the personal level to club and international level. Aside from his unrivaled career, the Barcelona legend is also famous for his relationship with wife Antonella Roccuzzo, one of the most long-standing romances in the football world that has endured for decades.
Messi met Roccuzzo when they were only nine years old, and the two struck up a special bond. However, they had to part ways following Messi's move to Spain to chase his football dream. In 2007, the couple rekindled their romance and has been going from strength to strength since. They share three kids together, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. Aside from being an influential WAG, the 34-year-old brunette is also a professional model and has a modeling contract with Argentine fashion label Ricky Sarkany.
Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend - Georgina Rodriguez
Since he rose to fame as a Sporting Lisbon young player in the early 200s, Cristiano Ronaldo has remained one of football's greatest legends. Aside from his goals, the Manchester United striker is also famous for his relationship history, with high-profile ex-girlfriends such as Irina Shayk and Kim Kardashian.
However, it seems that the 37-year-old Portuguese international has finally found his other half - Georgina Rodriguez. The pair crossed paths when Rodriguez was working as a sales assistant at a Gucci store. They felt head over heels for each other at first sight and the rest is history. Now a mum of five - including three from Ronaldo's ex-girlfriends, Georgina Rodriguez is one of the most powerful WAGs in the football world.
David Beckham's wife - Victoria Beckham
One of the most famous power couples in the world, David and Victoria Beckham have been together for over two decades. Prior to dating the Manchester United legend, Victoria, or Posh Spice, was already a famed singer from the girl band Spice. They began dating in 1997 before tying the knot two years later.
Unlike other WAGs on this list, Victoria was able to carve out her own success without relying too much on her husband. After retiring from the music industry, Victoria focused on business and now, she's the owner of a multimillion fashion brand of her own name. It's estimated that Victoria Beckham's personal net worth might be even higher than that of her husband, who called times on his football career in 2013. Anyway, throughout their 22-year courtship, Victoria and David Beckham remain one of the most long-standing Hollywood couples, being parents to four children: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's wife - Perrie Edwards
Despite the highs and lows in his injury-prone career, it's undeniable that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been one of the most hardworking players on the field. Having played for top-flight clubs like Southampton, Arsenal, and now the Carabao Cup champion Liverpool, the English midfielder always strives for the best in every position.
Even though he may not be the first in the starting line-up for Liverpool, Chamberlain is definitely the first in his wife Perrie Edwards' heart. Edwards, who is a famous singer from the girl band Little Mix, has been in a relationship with Chamberlain since 2016. The couple revealed they were expecting a child in May 2021, before the Sweet Melody singer gave birth to their first child, son Axel, on August 21 that year. They got engaged on June 18, 2022 after nearly 6 years together.
Thibaut Courtois' wife - Mishel Gerzig
Since his rise to stardom at Atletico Madrid, Belgian man Thibaut Courtois has established himself as one of the most all-rounded goalkeepers in the world, having played for top teams in Europe like Chelsea and Real Madrid. Courtois has dated his girlfriend, Mishel Gerzig, since late 2020. Gerzig, who came from a humble background in Israel, is a famous lingerie model and Instagram influencer with nearly 600k followers. During their romance, Gerzig regularly attends Real Madrid's games to support her boyfriend. The couple was engaged on June 4 when the football star popped the question to Gerzig following his triumphant UEFA Champions League victory.
Virgil van Dijk's wife - Rike Nooitgedagt
Since his arrival at Anfield, van Dijk has established himself as one of the best, and most stable, defenders in the world. While he may be a hard block for opponents on the field, the Liverpool center-back is absolutely doting on his wife Rike Nooitgedagt. The couple is high school sweethearts and has been together since the early stages of van Dijk's career. Once a fashion sales manager, Nooitgedagt gave up her job to fully support her husband as he rose to prominence. They tied the knot back in 2017 and are sharing two adorable daughters, Nila and Jadi. Despite other WAGs, Nooitgedagt has been extremely private about her life, barely posting on social media.
Frenkie de Jong's girlfriend - Mikky Kiemeney
Many questions are surrounding Barcelona maestro Frenkie de Jong's future as he has been named the priority target for English giant Manchester United. One thing that will remain unchanged, though, is that his girlfriend, Mikky Kiemeny, will be by his side whichever club the midfielder heads to. Born in 1998, Kiemenay has been in a relationship with de Jong since they were high school sweethearts. Once a professional hockey player, Kiemenay chose to call times on her flourishing career to accompany de Jong to Spain in 2019 when he signed a contract with Barcelona. Now, she's currently running her own clothing line, selling oversized and unisex t-shirts, hoodies, and track pants. She's also a huge Instagram personality with more than 1.3 million followers.
Matthijs De Ligt's girlfriend - AnneKee Molenaar
Dutchman De Ligt has been making headlines in recent days as he becomes the second most expensive defender in football history following his €70 million transfer to German side Bayern Munich. Following him to Bavaria's capital will be his long-term girlfriend Annekee Molenaar. The couple started dating in 2018, and they have been together happily ever since. Annekee is pursuing a professional modeling career, having worked with many famous agencies such as Why Not Models, Dominique Models, Wilma Wakker model, and Mega Models. She's also a huge Instagram influencer with nearly 500k followers. Another interesting fact about De Ligt's girlfriend is that her family has a football background. Her father, Keje Molenaar, is a retired defender while her two younger brothers are also playing for FC Voledam.
Harry Maguire's wife - Fern Hawkins
Harry Maguire's wife, Fern Hawkins, also grew up in Sheffield and has a Bachelor's degree in science and physiotherapy, and graduated with First Class Honours in 2017.
While Harry Maguire's status as a world-class player in the red outfit may at times be questionable, he's surely an amazing husband and father of two off the pitch. His wife, Fern Hawkins, first got together in 2011, and have been together for over a decade, sharing two adorable daughters, Lillie Saint and Piper Rose. Hawkins, like Maguire, grew up in Sheffield and had a Bachelor's degree in Science and Physiotherapy, graduating with First Class Honours in 2017. In 2018 Maguire popped the question to Hawkins during a romantic trip to Paris, and the Manchester United captain is reported to have tied the knot with his fiancee in a secret wedding in May this year.
Sergio Ramos' wife - Pilar Rubio
It is without a doubt that Sergio Ramos is one of the best defenders in the 21st century, with his heyday in Spain side Real Madrid, where he amassed 22 major honors, including five La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies. It was also in Spain that Ramos met the love of his life - Pilar Rubio, a famed news presenter and TV host. Even though Rubio is 8 years Ramos' junior, she and the former Real Madrid star still makes a perfect-picture couple and are parents to four children, Marco, Sergio Jr, Alejandro, and Maximo. In the summer of 2021, she left her journalist career in Spain to accompany Ramos and his children to Paris following his transfer to Paris Saint-German.
Andrew Robertson's wife - Rachel Roberts
Scottish left-back Andrew Robertson has an extraordinary career evolution, going from a mediocre substitute to arguably the best man at his position. Behind Liverpool's tremendous success in recent years is Andrew Robertson's relentless pace on the left wing, and behind Robertson's success is his wife, Rachel Roberts, who is one year younger than him. The couple met when they were still studying in St. Ninian's school in Scotland and has been together ever since. The Glasgow University graduate is a sports model and also the founder of a gymnastic clothing brand called Orosport. After Liverpool finishes their 2021/2022 season with two titles, Robertson and his wife threw a lavish wedding ceremony in earlier summer.
Gianlugi Buffon's wife - Ilaria D'Amico
It goes without saying that Gianluigi Buffon is one of the greatest footballers of all time. He has been in a relationship with girlfriend Ilaria D'Amico since 2014 after the 44-year-old shot-stopper divorced his ex-wife. Being a sports journalist, Ilaria is a famous face on the screen of the Italian audience. D'Amico, who's 4 years Buffon's junior, has been in the TV industry for more than 20 years. She is most famous for hosting Italian Sky Sports, a very popular sports channel in Italy, for several years before quitting in 2018. D'Amico and Buffon got engaged in 2017, and haven't walked down the aisle as the veteran goalkeeper is still adamant to his football career.
Frank Lampard's wife - Christine Lampard
During his prime at Chelsea, Lampard was one of the best midfielders of his generation. Aside from the glorious career the Chelsea legend boasts, he also has a perfect family life off the pitch. His wife is Christine Lampard, a regular fixture on British TV shows. She is most famous for hosting ITV's talk show Loose Women. Moreover, the 43-year-old presenter also came fifth when she joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. Christine and Frank Lampard tied the knot in 2015 after eight years together, and have since welcomed a cute daughter named Patricia.
Paulo Dybala's girlfriend - Oriana Sabatini
After 7 years at Juventus, Argentine talisman Paulo Dybala has just moved to Jose Mourinho's Roma to begin his new chapter. Following Dybala to the capital of Italy will be his longtime partner Oriana Sabatini. The 26-year-old brunette is the daughter of actor Osvaldo Sabatini and famous Venezuela actress Catherine Fulop. Inheriting her mother's charm, Oriana started modeling at 13, appearing on the Telly. Aside from her modeling career, Oriana is also an actress, having starred in indie and Latin films such as the drama thriller film Perdida (2018). Oriana is also a very talented musician with million-view hits on Youtube such as Love Me Down Easy and False Start. With almost 6 million followers on Instagram, Oriana is one of the most famous influencers in Argentina.
Wayne Rooney's wife - Coleen Rooney
Wayne and Coleen Rooney are one of the most famous couples in the football world with a romance spanning decades. Coleen and Wayne, both 36, started dating after high school at 16. However, their relationship was not without fault, as the former England captain had been involved in scandals off the pitch.
Despite the rough patches, they have been going from strength to strength and now are parents to four kids: Kai, Cass, Kit, and Klay. Aside from being an influential WAG, Coleen is also a famous TV personality and author. Coleen used to work as a columnist for high-profile magazines such as Ok! and Closer and has starred in various TV shows such as Coleen's Real Style and Welcome To My World. However, it's revealed that Coleen is staying in English after her husband becomes coach of the MLS side DC United and moves to the U.S.
Jamie Vardy's wife - Rebekah Vardy
Seven years ago, Jamie Vardy made headlines as the frontman leading Leicester City to its historic Premier League title. After the incredible feat, Jamie still remains a prominent striker in the league. Aside from his glorious career on the pitch, Vardy also has a happy family life. He's been married to his wife Rebekah for five years and has two children together. The couple met back in 2017 when Rebecca was working at a nightclub called Viper while Jamie was already a world star. They fell in love at first sight and have been going from strength to strength since. After marrying Jamie, Rebekah Vardy became a TV personality, having starred in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, and Dancing On Ice.
David de Gea's wife - Edurne Garcia
One of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League era, David de Gea prides himself on his successful career at top-flight clubs such as Atletico Madrid or Manchester United. Supporting him in every match is his wife, Edurne Garcia. Garcia is a Spanish singer, actress, and TV presenter, who rose to fame with her debut album Edurne. Since then, the 37-year-old brunette went on to release many more successful albums and has become a regular fixture on the screen for the Spanish audience. Five years de Gea's senior, the couple has been together since 2014 and welcomed their first child, a daughter named Yanay in March 2021.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's wife - Helena Seger
At age 40, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still a nightmare to every defender in Europe. The former Manchester United player has played football for more than two decades and has been together with his wife for the same period. More than just a spouse to the Swedish striker, Helena herself is a successful businesswoman who carved out her own career without depending on Zlatan. Born in 1970, Helena became financially independent at a very young age and rose through the ranks to become a wealthy entrepreneur. Currently running her own real estate company, Helena's net worth is around $160 million, a staggering amount for a celebrity.
Antoine Griezmann's wife - Erika Choperena
Antoine Griezmann is one of the most successful strikers in recent years, having played for top teams such as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. He rose to stardom with his stint at Basque club Real Sociedad in 2011, which was also when he met his wife, Erika Choperena. Prior to marrying the French talisman, Erika ran a popular beauty blog called Cordialmente Erika, but after going public with Griezmann, she no longer operates the website. Now, Erika is working as a qualified child psychiatrist. Unlike other WAGs, Erika prefers a private life and only attends a few of her husband's games. After their marriage in 2017, Erika and Antoine Griezmann welcomed two children, a daughter named Mia and a son named Amaro.
Kevin Trapp's fiancee - Izabel Goulart
While Kevin Trapp's career as a goalkeeper may not glitter with titles and records, the German footballer can pride himself on having a beautiful fiancee. The 32-year-old shot-stopper began dating Brazillian brunette Izabel Goulart in 2017 before getting engaged in 2018 and is still planning their wedding. Goulart, who is six years Trapp's junior, is a world-famous Victoria's Secret model who earned a star on Hollywood's 'Walk of Fame' in 2007. As a model, Goulart has worked with countless high-profile brands in the world, including Marie Claire France, Vogue Brazil, Gucci, and Chanel. Chosen as one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People in the World, Goulart is also a huge media personality with 4.6 million followers on her Instagram.