Along with our new weekly series 'MR PORTER x Haulogerie: Picks of the Week', we've decided that at the end of every month we're going to round up the coolest watches worn by some of the world's most famous footballers. Now we have to admit, we're massive Liverpool fanatics over here, so you're probably going to see a fair few timepieces from some of Liverpool's star players. But, we'll do our upmost to keep the players and watches as diverse as possible!
The first instalment of 'Footballers and their Watches' features players like Juventus' Paulo Dybala, Bruno Fernandes of Sporting Lisbon (now Manchester United!), the retired legend Michael Ballack, and one of the best players in the history of the game, Lionel Messi of Barcelona. Enjoy!
And by footballers, we mean soccer players. :)
Marcelo Vieira - Rolex Daytona 116505
Real Madrid star full back Marcelo Vieira is pictured here amongst fellow Madrista star James Rodríguez and Madrid alumni Roberto Carlos wearing the beautiful Rolex Daytona 116505 in Everose gold and with a delectable chocolate brown dial. The Rolex Daytona 116505 is now discontinued but retailed at $37,450USD.
Paulo Dybala - Rolex Daytona 116595 RBOW
Paulo Dybala is the name on everyone’s lips right now and for good reason. His link-up play with Cristiano Ronaldo is scintillating, and so is the watch strapped to his wrist at a recent Lamborghini factory visit. Pictured here is the rarer-than-hen’s-teeth Rolex Daytona 116595 RBOW, featuring the instantly recognisable rainbow sapphire bezel and diamond set lugs and crown guards. Priced at about a quarter of a million USD, if you can find one.
Zlatan Ibrahimović - Patek Philippe 5980/1R Nautilus
Football’s very own Benjamin Button is pictured here in all of his illustrious glory wearing the absolutely insane bank vault-like Patek Philippe 5980/1R Nautilus. The AC Milan striker is no stranger to controversy, but his taste in fine watches is impeccable, as you can surely see. The Patek Philippe 5980/1R Nautilus retails at $91,400USD.
Bruno Fernandes - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
Former Sporting CP midfielder now turned Manchester United’s latest signing as of his €55 million move can be seen here spending time with his family wearing the fairly restrained Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph. The 25 year old Portuguese star can be seen in many pictures wearing this watch, and who can blame him really? The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph is priced at €25,000.
David Alaba - Rolex Sky-Dweller 326938
Bayern Munich’s prolific fullback is no stranger to the finer things in life. A connoisseur of sorts for high fashion, David Alaba pairs the solid gold Rolex Sky-Dweller with a fairly subdued outfit. The Sky-Dweller 326938 retails for $46,650USD.
Serge Gnabry - Rolex Day-Date 228238
Fellow Bayern Munich start Serge Gnabry has taken a similar approach to his teammate in rocking a stunning solid gold Rolex Day-Date with a black dial. Coupled with a flute dial, this particular reference is absolutely exquisite and suits the former Arsenal man impeccably. The Rolex Day-Date 228238 is priced at $51,550AUD.
Philippe Coutinho - Patek Philippe 5167A Aquanaut
Philippe Coutinho is currently plying his trade for Bayern Munich whilst on loan from Spanish giants Barcelona. Prior to that, he was ripping up the Premier League with Liverpool, and following his $144 million move to Barcelona he has unfortunately been a shadow of his former self. But still, Coutinho is raking it in, seen here rocking the virtually unobtainable Patek Philippe 5167A Aquanaut which retails for $18,940USD (expect to pay double for the same watch on the grey market, though). As a Liverpool fan, I half feel bad for Coutinho. But then I don’t.
Franck Ribéry - Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren
French superstar Franck Ribéry is currently playing in the Italian Serie A for Fiorentina, but before that he was one of Bayern Munich’s mainstays. A monstrous player with skills to boot, Ribéry’s career may be in its twilight years, but it doesn’t look like his bank account has taken a hit. Here is Franck Ribéry casually rocking the $191,500USD Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren. What a legend!
Lionel Messi - Jacob & Co Epic X Chrono Messi Limited Edition
When you talk about legends of the game, few names draw admiration from both sides of the coin like Lionel Messi. The Barcelona and Argentinian star holds more records than you can imagine and coming off of winning the latest Ballon d’Or (let’s be real – Virgil Van Dijk should have won that), Lionel Messi is pictured here with his lovely wife wearing the Jacob & Co Epic X Chrono Messi Limited Edition in titanium and rose gold. You know you’ve done pretty well for yourself when you have a watch named after you. The Jacob & Co Epic X Chrono Messi Limited Edition is priced at $44,000USD.
Michael Ballack - Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO
Having played for the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and the German national team, Michael Ballack has etched his name into the record books as one of the best midfielders to have ever played the game. An absolute maestro, Ballack shone during his time at Chelsea and made myself and every Liverpool fan cower in fear whenever we played against the boys in blue. Here he is pictured looking leisurely clearly enjoying retirement wearing the $13,600AUD Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO.