Guest article by Toby Patrick
In today’s social media-obsessed age, it’s not just on the pitch where footballers look to express themselves. Today, there’s as much pressure on players to dress well as there is to play well. As a result, footy stars are not shy of pushing the boundaries when it comes to their style. As we enjoy a break from club football, here are some of the best-dressed black men that represented their countries at Euro 2024.
Jude Bellingham (England)
Where else could we start other than England’s golden boy who has taken Spain by storm in the last 12 months? The Stourbridge-born midfielder is currently valued at over £200m and is recognised as the game’s most valuable player.
However, it’s not just on the pitch where Jude is gold. In a star-studded England team, he appears to have picked up the role of poster boy, and with how he dresses, it’s easy to see why he recently penned a collaboration with the men’s line of Kim Kardashian’s underwear brand, SKIMS.
Whilst some might say he can do no wrong at the minute, Bellingham definitely does a lot right when it comes to fashion. A quick glance at his Instagram would reveal that the 20-year-old oozes class whether he’s suited and booted for an awards night or flashing some flesh at Paris Fashion Week.
Jules Koundé (France)
Another man who applies his trade in Spain is Barcelona’s French defender, Jules Koundé. While others make this list for their ability to consistently look clean and classic, Koundé’s style is towards the more daring end of the style spectrum.
So daring in fact that the flamboyant Frenchman caught the eye back in May by reporting to duty for the France national team sporting a pair of stylish, yet opinion-splitting, high-heeled shoes and carrying an expensive Louis Vuitton bag.
Last year, koundé had previously made the headlines after being photographed carrying another Louis Vuitton bag. This one, a blue Millionaire Speedy, costing an incredible $1,000,000.
The footballer-come-style-icon even has an Instagram account (@juleskounde_outfits) dedicated to his extravagant fits that have included being draped in double denim and extremely oversized ripped jeans.
Rafael Leão (Portugal)
AC Milan’s left winger Rafael Leão has been highly sought after over the last few seasons with some of Europe’s elite teams reportedly vying for his signature. After well and truly establishing himself in Italy’s Serie A, Leão will be joining Cristiano Ronaldo representing Portugal at the European Championships.
But Leão hasn’t just been hot property on the pitch, but off it too. His edgy looks have seen him attract interest from fashion brands including Antwerp-based menswear brand, Arte Antwerp, who collaborated with Leão to see him become the face of their Spring/Summer 2023 campaign.
Even Leão’s employers capitalised on his stylish off-the-pitch presence by releasing a clothing line in partnership with their starman. The ‘ACM x RL10’ collection centred around Leão’s iconic surfing celebration and employs the slogan, “Every day is a new wave, everyday is a day of surfing”.
Amadou Onana (Belgium)
Everton’s Amadou Onana brought his unique style to Mereyside in 2022. When it comes to the international game, the Senegalese-born star represents Belgium, the nation he has called home since he was just 11 years old.
However, it’s not just football and fashion for Onana, but music too. Fans discovered the drippy midfielder could do it all after a music video surfaced featuring Onana singing in English and rapping in French.
As you’d expect, the footballer-come-part-time-rapper sports a confident fashion sense. But while the majority of Onana’s looks ooze extravagance and creativity, he also excels at putting a modern twist on classic fits. A perfect example comes from his March Instagram post where he paired a black Prada tie and white shirt with a pair of oversized black trousers and a coordinated camel jacket and boots.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
The Three Lions have a team full of footballing stars on the pitch, and an array of fashion stars off it. Which is why they are represented twice on this list.
Accompanying Jude Bellingham in our pick of best-dress footballers at the Euros is Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. While his best attributes in the footballing world include his pinpoint precision crossing and deadly free-kicks, off the pitch Trent has seemingly perfected the art of putting a designer spin on current streetwear looks.
Recently, the Liverpool and England star arrived at the Monaco Grand Prix sporting a pair of cream Prada dungarees over a clean, white vest. While earlier in the year, Alexander-Arnold used some rare time off to take in a Dolce & Gabbana event in Milan wearing a leather jacket over a classic white collar shirt and black tie.
Virgil Van Dijk (The Netherlands)
Maybe there’s something in the water over in Liverpool because Van Dijk is the third player on our list of snappy dressers to play his club football in Merseyside. The Liverpool defender, who partners the previously mentioned Trent Alexander-Arnold, has what could be described as a style more subtle than some of the aforementioned stars.
Nevertheless, Van Dijk looks just as good. With a 195cm frame and his iconic slicked-back man bun, you could argue it would be hard for the Dutchman to not look good. In terms of his style preferences, he seems to do a very good job of perfecting classic yet current.
In terms of garments, Van Dijk’s clearly a big fan of the oversized trend. He’s been spotted rocking up for Liverpool training sporting baggy men’s twin sets and roomy puffer coats.
