Daddy goals: How Lionel Messi, David Beckham & Cristiano Ronaldo score as fathers
A glimpse into the lives of these doting superdads.
By Apoorva Puranik, ET Bureau | Updated:
Agencies
They are forces to reckon with on the football pitch, but how well do these footballers score as dads?
Gerard Pique
Dad to: Milan and Sasha
Popstar Shakira and Barcelona centre Gerard Pique’s off-again, on-again relationship is a treat for the tabloids. However, their tangled love lives have produced two adorable kids.
Born to play
Pique has patience issues. Even before little Milan opened his eyes, he was made a member of Barcelona FC to “instil the Barca DNA”. He now tosses the ball around with Messi’s son, Thiago.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Dad to: Maximilian and Vincent Ibrahimovic
He is probably not the right role model for humility, but Ibrahimovic sure is a doting dad. Swim lessons are a weekly affair, as are trips to Disney Land.
Birds of a feather
The giant hole the Swedish star will leave post retirement will hopefully be filled by one or both his sons. Like Gerard Pique, the striker’s two children, Maximilian and Vincent, have joined Man Utd’s academy, and are often spotted training with Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai.
David Beckham
Dad to: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Beckham
The English football star spent years dodging the paps, and now his kids are doing the same. As mom Victoria Beckham preps for fashion week each year, it’s time for Papa Beckham’s annual trip with the kids. It’s a tradition the family follows to date, despite Brooklyn going off to college.
Name and game
The power couple chose to name their firstborn-Brooklyn as they wanted him to have a “blokey enough name” in case he ended up becoming a footballer like his dad. But the 17-year-old social media star is more drawn to the arts and in 2017, published his book of photography.
Dad to: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro
His wedding kiss may have been sloppy, but Barcelona star Lionel Messi is a super dad. He recently became a father for the third time in March. He had to pull out mid-tournament as his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, went into labour.
Keeping it virtual
The footballer has had some fun revealing his babies’ arrivals. In 2012, to announce Roccuzzo’s first pregnancy, Messi placed the ball under his shirt after scoring in Argentina’s 4-0 win against Ecuador.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Dad to: Eva Maria Dos Santos, Alana Martina dos Santos Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr and Mateo Ronaldo
The Portugal star loves to flash his sweet lifestyle and his brood too. The dad of four often shares pictures with his kids, while the lady in his arms keeps changing. In fact, the identity of his eldest son, Ronaldo Jr’s mother has been a closely-guarded secret.
Like father, like son
Seven-year- old Ronaldo Jr is a dead ringer for his dad, both on and off the field. After Portugal’s 3-0 friendly win over Algeria last week, Ronaldo got his son to take a couple of shots at the empty goal. Not only did Ronaldo Jr kick the ball around with aplomb, but also shot a brilliant right-footed strike into the top corner.
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Gerard Pique
Dad to: Milan and Sasha
Popstar Shakira and Barcelona centre Gerard Pique’s off-again, on-again relationship is a treat for the tabloids. However, their tangled love lives have produced two adorable kids.
Born to play
Pique has patience issues. Even before little Milan opened his eyes, he was made a member of Barcelona FC to “instil the Barca DNA”. He now tosses the ball around with Messi’s son, Thiago.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Dad to: Maximilian and Vincent Ibrahimovic
He is probably not the right role model for humility, but Ibrahimovic sure is a doting dad. Swim lessons are a weekly affair, as are trips to Disney Land.
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Birds of a feather
The giant hole the Swedish star will leave post retirement will hopefully be filled by one or both his sons. Like Gerard Pique, the striker’s two children, Maximilian and Vincent, have joined Man Utd’s academy, and are often spotted training with Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai.
David Beckham
Dad to: Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Beckham
The English football star spent years dodging the paps, and now his kids are doing the same. As mom Victoria Beckham preps for fashion week each year, it’s time for Papa Beckham’s annual trip with the kids. It’s a tradition the family follows to date, despite Brooklyn going off to college.
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Name and game
The power couple chose to name their firstborn-Brooklyn as they wanted him to have a “blokey enough name” in case he ended up becoming a footballer like his dad. But the 17-year-old social media star is more drawn to the arts and in 2017, published his book of photography.
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Lionel MessiDad to: Thiago, Mateo and Ciro
His wedding kiss may have been sloppy, but Barcelona star Lionel Messi is a super dad. He recently became a father for the third time in March. He had to pull out mid-tournament as his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, went into labour.
Keeping it virtual
The footballer has had some fun revealing his babies’ arrivals. In 2012, to announce Roccuzzo’s first pregnancy, Messi placed the ball under his shirt after scoring in Argentina’s 4-0 win against Ecuador.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Dad to: Eva Maria Dos Santos, Alana Martina dos Santos Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr and Mateo Ronaldo
The Portugal star loves to flash his sweet lifestyle and his brood too. The dad of four often shares pictures with his kids, while the lady in his arms keeps changing. In fact, the identity of his eldest son, Ronaldo Jr’s mother has been a closely-guarded secret.
Like father, like son
Seven-year- old Ronaldo Jr is a dead ringer for his dad, both on and off the field. After Portugal’s 3-0 friendly win over Algeria last week, Ronaldo got his son to take a couple of shots at the empty goal. Not only did Ronaldo Jr kick the ball around with aplomb, but also shot a brilliant right-footed strike into the top corner.
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