The National Football League kicks off its 2018 season Thursday night as the Atlanta Falcons take on the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
If you’re curious to check out the most famous football players with photos and visceral evidence of their existence, you’ve come to the right place. In the latest edition of the ESPN World Fame 100, 32 of the entries were footballers, giving you a fitting idea of the sport’s global appeal. We’ve included all 32 of those players and some other footballers that are instantly recognizable to followers of the game.
Take a look below, and get inspired to run more.
Edinson Cavani | PSG & Uruguay
Mascots — the oversized, creepy creatures controlled by people who can’t possibly have great relationships with their mothers — are widespread in American sports. But a lot of people wonder: do soccer teams have mascots?
For better or worse, they do.
Soccer mascots range from the weird to the cute, but they’re always weird. Did we mention they’re weird?
When Carlos Saguier was announced as head coach of Paraguayan second division side Club Sporting 2 de Mayo back in July, he probably knew he was consigning himself to what Dick Advocaat called “the loneliest job in the world” — that of the football manager.
While members of the French national team were dancing in the rain, kissing their new trophy and celebrating a well-deserved FIFA World Cup victory in Moscow on July 15, waiting for them back in the locker room was a unique surprise.
The world watched as Croatia president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic soaked in the moment, Russian president Vladimir Putin refused to allow himself to get wet and France reveled in its second world championship.
With a little sister like Rafaella Beckran, the now-infamous Neymar Jr. isn’t the only recognizable face in his family. The gorgeous 22-year-old has gained global attention for her incredible social media platform on Instagram and Twitter and for her booming modeling career.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Megan Rapinoe and Crystal Dunn are the three soccer players in ESPN Body Issue 2018, the tenth edition of its kind. ESPN hadn't featured more than two soccer players since the first Body Issue back in 2009.
A goal in football is always followed by a wild celebration. These celebrations are often a player’s signature, and they include pointing to the sky and thanking the footballing gods, the always cool knee slide or the epic running explosion while screaming in unison with the fans. The World Cup goal celebrations at the 2018 tournament have been no different.
This year’s World Cup provides an opportunity for the planet to see a variety of signature celebrations. Below are some of the best World Cup goal celebrations that we’ve seen so far.
This Father's Day, we celebrate the World Cup's most celebrated dads. Here are the fathers of the World Cup!
After Messi, Thiago & Mateo are best. The have Messi's DNA. No debate. pic.twitter.com/AQwGAmLkSj
— Leo (@LeoKawsar10) June 9, 2018