Welcome to the March instalment of 'Footballers & Their Watches', our regular column where at the end of every month we round up the best watches worn on some of the world's best footballers (or soccer players, if you will!). Even though the footballing world is virtually on lockdown, we've still managed to find some pretty incredible pieces worn on some equally as incredible players. In this month's instalment we'll be featuring pieces from the likes of Bulgari, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Rolex and Patek Philippe worn by players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández, Suso and Jesse Lingard who play for teams like Juventus F.C., Manchester City, LA Galaxy, Sevilla FC and Manchester United. Enjoy!
Cristiano Ronaldo - Juventus F.C. - Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Diamonds
Cristiano Ronaldo was seen at the Globe Soccer Awards wearing the diamond-encrusted Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Diamonds. The Juventus F.C. and Portuguese star man's Bulgari features 271 baguette-cut diamonds with a diamond pave dial set with 180 baguette-cut diamonds, while the blue alligator leather strap features a white gold buckle encrusted with 35 diamonds. The price all told is a staggering $790,000USD.
Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
French footballer and star defender for Manchester City Aymeric Laporte was seen wearing the delightful Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph clad in pink gold. This seems to be a very popular piece amongst the footballers as it is a very versatile piece. This particular reference of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph costs $45,900USD.
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández - LA Galaxy - Richard Mille RM 27-02 Rafael Nadal
Chicharito, LA Galaxy's latest marquee signing, can be seen here sporting the 734,500CHF Richard Mille RM 27-02 Rafael Nadal. Clad in a Quartz TPT case and featuring a manually wound tourbillon, the Richard Mille RM 27-02 Rafael Nadal is a marvel of modern watchmaking.
Steven Bergwijn - Tottenham Hotspurs - Rolex Day-Date 40 in Everose Gold
The Dutch winger who formerly plied his trade for PSV Eindhoven was seen sporting the incredibly beautiful Rolex Day-Date 40 in Everose Gold. Now playing for Tottenham Hotspur, Steven Bergwijn's Rolex Day-Date 40 in Everose Gold features an olive green dial and is a personal favourite of mine. The Rolex Day-Date 40 in Everose Gold is priced at $55,350AUD.
Suso – Sevilla FC - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph in Rose Gold
The former AC Milan and Liverpool winger was and still is one of my favourite players, combing raw speed with skill and finesse. Here we have Suso wearing the restrained but still wholly beautiful Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph in rose gold which retails for $59,000USD.
Jesse Lingard - Manchester United - Patek Philippe 5968A Nautilus Chronograph
The charismatic Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard was seen wearing the almost unobtainable Patek Philippe 5968A Nautilus Chronograph which at retail costs 38,600CHF. While he may not be as influential on the pitch, it's safe to say that Lingard does have some serious watches in his collection.
Rio Ferdinand - Retired - Hublot Big Bang UNICO Sapphire
The former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand was seen wearing the fairly ostentatious but highly technical Hublot Big Bang UNICO Sapphire. Once feared for his pace, brutality and positional awareness, Rio Ferdinand was lauded as one of the world's best defenders at his peak. The Hublot Big Bang UNICO Sapphire retails for $57,900USD.
Joshua King - AFC Bournemouth - Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake Limited Edition
Playing for a lower positioned club like AFC Bournemouth doesn't mean that you're not laughing all the way to the bank, and Joshua King's Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake Limited Edition is evidence of that fact. Priced at $130,000USD, the Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake Limited Edition is a contemporary piece that Joshua King has seen wearing many times.
Samuel Eto'o - Retired - Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
The legendary striker Samuel Eto'o was seen wearing the conservative but highly popular $18,500AUD Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with a white dial. Once upon a time, the retired Samuel Eto'o was one of the world's greatest strikers, scoring goal after goal for Barcelona and playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and the great Ronaldinho.
John Terry - Manager of Aston Villa - Rolex Yacht-Master II Two-Tone
Formerly the captain and star defender for Chelsea, John Terry's retirement didn't mean him taking a step back from football entirely, now the current manager of Aston Villa. Here he is sporting the eclectic $35,850AUD Rolex Yacht-Master II Two-Tone, a versatile watch that can be easily dressed up or down. One of my favourite defenders of all time, even though he played for Chelsea. :P
Franck Ribery - ACF Fiorentina - Richard Mille RM 11-03 Annual Calendar Flyback Chronograph
Franck Ribery who plays for ACF Fiorentina is one of the modern game's most versatile and charismatic players. Franck Ribery can be seen wearing the Richard Mille RM 11-03 Annual Calendar Flyback Chronograph priced at $210,000USD.