FEATURE

MOST STYLISH FOOTBALLERS OF 2016/17

By Sam Higgins, 21 May 2017

As the curtain closes on another football season, our attention immediately turns to the transfer market. But before we get too engrossed in our favourite team’s potential acquisitions, we decided it's only right to give our own off-pitch style review. Here’s our first choice XI, based on sartorial performances alone.

most stylish footballers of the 2016/17 season asos

Picture: Splash

Gianluigi Buffon

At 39, Gianluigi Buffon is the experienced head of our stylish XI. Despite consistently breaking rule one of goalkeeper style law for 26 years (goalie tops should be long-sleeved, not short-sleeved, Gigi!) the goalkeeper is still out here curating on-point off-pitch outfits on the regular, like this lightweight Riviera-ready look.

Picture: GOFF

Hector Bellerín

He may be a right-back by trade, but Hector Bellerín isn't afraid of straying into left-field when it comes to his style. Probably the league’s most forward-thinking dresser, Bellerin’s a sucker for a designer showcase that allows him a chance to show off his collection of couture cuts.
Picture: Press Association

Eric Bailly

Daley Blind must have had a shock when new defensive partner Eric Bailly arrived in the summer, challenging his 'most fashion-forward man in the Man Utd back four' status. Bailly quickly delivered a grungy getup that rivalled Blind's #streetgoth vibe – his leather jacket and shirt layered tactically to show off a fresh white tee, with an umbrella ready to meet anything the Manchester weather could throw at him.
Picture: WENN

Kieran Gibbs

His team might be notorious for their mid-season capitulations, but Kieran Gibbs’ sailed through the tricky Christmas fixture schedule in fine sartorial form. It's all about nailing the basics, as he demonstrates here, out with his teammates for a festive theatre trip, in a minimal, tidy outfit of wintry goodness.

Picture: BACKGRID

Paul Pogba

You’d imagine, as the world's most expensive footballer, Paul Pogba could probably have somebody follow him around with a brolly when it rains. But then, we guess, that'd have completely ruined the Obi-Wan Kenobi vibe he was going for here. A collection of tactically-draped, Lenny Kravitz-esque scarves does the trick instead.

Picture: Splash

David Alaba

When he’s not lifting successive Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, David Alaba layers up in a thick roll neck, patterned jacket with chunky black boots, and crests Austrian mountains to watch some competitive skiing. Fair enough – we’re into it.

Picture: BACKGRID

Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen is that kid at school you were really jealous of. The one who could do all the freestyle football tricks and ping precise 60-yard passes while you stumbled over a step-over. He’s even still got that cool-guy outfit to match – a slick leather jacket, fresh white tee and neat black jeans. *shakes fist*.
Picture: BACKGRID

Mesut Ozil

According to Arsenal fans, Mesut Ozil is better than Zidane. Taking into account Zizou’s career, the comparison is a bold one. Taking into account his role as a Mango pitchman and generally suave Frenchman, comparisons off the pitch are bold too. But it seems Ozil’s stepped up his game to live up to his support’s expectations recently, packing getups with designer duds from Off-White and Yeezy to name just two.
Picture: Wire Image

Dele Alli

Dele Alli really is the full package. The 21-year-old’s talents seem to stretch further than being a fearless force on the edge of the box and he even has the skill and ability to score serious style points by cleverly cramming several of this year’s biggest trends into one brilliant outfit.

Lionel Messi

Not only is he regarded as possibly the best player ever, Lionel Messi also knows how to pull together a sartorial combination that’s tidier than a signature Barca passing move. Look no further than his airport attire of chunky graphic knit, distressed jeans and fresh Yeezys for proof.

Picture: BACKGRID

Daniel Sturridge

He managed only 19 league matches this season, but it took just one off-duty appearance to assure us that Sturridge's sartorial talents are still in fine form. Here, the Liverpool striker’s casual kit was a simple all-black concoction, with an eccentric edge on his feet.