All it takes is one look – one freeze frame of one split second of one moment of time to live on forever to create a timeless legacy. Iconic looks firmly cement themselves into the annuls of pop culture and when the eyes of the world are fully fixated on the biggest sporting event known to man, ageless memories are made, especially with the booming presence and hyper fixation on social media.
World football is unique in the way it juxtaposes with the world of fashion and art. A lot of players are
as bold off the pitch as they are on it, and while not every wardrobe choice equals David Beckham wearing a sarong or Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake wearing all denim getups to the 2001 American Music Awards, some of the world footballers serve up fashion takes that leave lasting legacies.
With that said, the dawn of another World Cup is very nearly upon us, and there are a bevy of players known for pushing the boundaries of boldness, inspiration, and class when it comes to their outfit choices that could go on to pave lifelong relationships between clothing and what’s so closely associated with. It’s hard to think about brands without thinking about football ‘casuals’ across Europe and the rise in the culture since the late 1970s, but much like many facets of life, fashion has an ever-evolving presence.
Who should we be keeping an eye on this summer at the World Cup to serve up fashion platters as hard as Taylor Swift serves up face cards in attendance at different sports venues with Travis Kelce? Another question to ask; who will, as millennials and Gen Z like to say, have the most aura? There’s certainly a few solid choices to bet on!
Florian Wirtz – Germany and Liverpool FC
The Liverpool and German national team star is a prime example of always being able to mix the classics with newer, sleek and boundary-pushing choices. One of his latest Instagram post features him arriving to Germany’s training camp with a simple Adidas vest with the classic, trefoil logo with a basic pair of jeans draped with a pocket chain – a remanence of the early 2000s pop-punk culture (some might even say it’s “goth”). A simple gas station style Parra hat with a pair of sunglass tops it off, leaving Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike to leave a comment that reads “drip drip.”
Michael Olise – France and Bayern Munich
Olise is pure aura. He’s unstoppable on the pitch and completely humble off of it and shows absolute fearlessness with his fashion choices. Pretty much every time the French national team shows up to Clairefontaine for training camps it’s a fashion show on its own, but Olise’s humble nature makes his fashion choices that much more enjoyable – he owns any style he chooses to rep.
Scott McTominay – Scotland and SSC Napoli
What is it in the air in Italy? The Scottish midfielder went from Manchester to Naples and now looks like he’s at the top of the list for Milan fashion week invites. The quaffed, slicked back hair, the suits, the perennially tanner skin complexion, – some extended time in the Italian sun and near Mount Vesuvius has done McTominay a world of good and he’s been excellent on the pitch for both Napoli and Scotland ever since he made the switch. Take a bow, McFratm!.
Bukayo Saka – England and Arsenal
We get it – if you’re not an Arsenal fan, you’re probably sick of hearing about them winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, but a player like Bukayo Saka is so hard to dislike. From missing that penalty vs. Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley for England to lifting the Premier League trophy – there’s a human element to Saka’s story that’s so hard to not be gripped by. He’s an infectious character, incredibly bold and lively on the pitch, and it effortlessly pulls off anything he wears. The leather jacket, and acid wash esque jeans here are so laid back, yet give off an 80’s, relaxed, Beverly Hills Cop type of vibe that says less is more but a whole lot of nostalgia hits for those that lived through the decade. Axel F, anyone?
Of course, with an expanded field of 32 nations, there’s going to be a lot of footballers, coaching staff, and celebrities afoot in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, so there’s going to be no shortage of off pitch fashion. We might not get 2006 England WAGS in Baden-Baden, Germany levels of a media frenzy, but there’ll certainly be vibrant choices from some of the world’s best on the world stage.
Honorable Mention to Dominik Szoboszlai – Hungary and Liverpool
Hungary didn’t qualify for the World Cup, but if they had….
Need anyone say more?
