Deli Alli and Eric Dier, Lewis Hamilton and Neymar and Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku… biggest bromances in sport revealed
Let me tell you something about my best friend…
Given they’re under pressure, having to perform at their best at the highest level, isn’t it any wonder that the world’s biggest sports stars need someone to lean on from time-to-time.
Fashion-forward — Neymar and Lewis strike a poseRex Features
Some even manage to form bromances, pouring displays of attention publicly and on social media to one another, much to the delight of their own fans.
But whether they’re posting loving notes online, hanging out with their teammates off the pitch to play FIFA or wishing their ‘bestie’ luck on an imminent transfer or title win, it’s these sporting heroes that have us eager to put our arm round the next man and burst into a mass singalong.
Here’s the definitive rundown of the most cherished sport bromances around today:
Romelu Lukaku & Paul Pogba
High-five! Pogba and Lukaku celebrate togetherGetty Images - Getty
The Manchester United pair are proof that loving one another off the field can only lead to performing well together on it.
‘Agent Pogba’ was said to be the reason that hotshot Lukaku signed for the Red Devils. Right before it was a done deal, Lukaku and Pogba were spied enjoying their summer together in Los Angeles, playing basketball and keeping fit.
But they’ve known each other long than that, showing off their bromance on social media playing five-a-side football, singing and dancing and just being great mates.
It’s ALMOST reminiscent of Gary Neville’s bromance with David Beckham last decade.
Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas
Gerard and Cesc are World Cup winners and sporting brosAFP
The Catalonian connection… Both schooled at La Masia, Pique and Fabregas played in the same team at the famed Barcelona academy.
Both moved to the Premier League, Pique with Man United and Fabregas with Arsenal, but despite playing for bitter rivals that didn’t stop their bromance from flourishing.
And in various Champions League battles between Arsenal and Barcelona, Pique who returned to the Nou Camp in the summer of 2008, loved nothing more than laughing and joking with his pal on the pitch, even though they were on opposite sides.
Good job they were reunited at Barcelona in 2011!
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo
Celebrate good times like Marcelo and CristianoEPA
Why wouldn’t you want to be besties with the best player in the world?
Cristiano and his Brazilian teammate Marcelo tear teams apart on the left-hand side of attack for Real Madrid, so it’s no surprise these two are close off the pitch too.
And in the ultimate bromance move, which was sure to get a nod and a wink from his Portuguese mate, Marcelo recently revealed Cristiano was the best player he ever played with.
The defender gushed: “I have played with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, but you know who the best is: Cristiano [Ronaldo] — he is the most complete.”
Troy Deeney and Anthony Joshua
Ringside… Troy Deeney and Anthony Joshua are bestiesPA:Press Association
Even playing different sports doesn’t deter these two heavyweights.
Beefy striker Deeney was happy to show AJ his own boxing skills… in fact, a brilliant video posted online of the two striking a punch machine nearly broke the internet.
Their bromance story began right before the 2012 London Olympics at a barbers in Watford and they have since been inseparable.
Deeney even uses Joshua’s coach to keep himself fit for the Premier League.
Lewis Hamilton and Neymar
Making friends in high places… Lewis and Neymar hang with Rita OraGetty - Contributor
They’re both stars that transcend their sport, so it’s little surprise that F1 whizz Lewis and the world’s most expensive footballer are tight.
It’s fashion that bonds Lewis and Neymar together, and the two were spotted channelling their inner Zoolander as recently as this year’s London Fashion Week back in September.
Lewis also called Neymar his “brother from another mother” on an Instagram story he shared with his followers after a dinner date at London’s Zuma restaurant.
Lucky for Lewis that Neymar plays in Paris now – a flight from Monaco, where the bad-boy racer lives, is only an hour away.
Tiger Woods and Roger Federer
Sports highest earners can be best pals too.Getty Images - Getty
They didn’t let the fact that Roger past Tiger for most career prize money last week to become sport’s biggest ever earner get between their bromance.
The American golfer, who is set to make his long-awaited return from 10-month injury lay-off at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, has always been supported by the tennis gent.
“I really wish, of course, he could come back and win again — I wouldn’t want anything else but that. It would be great,” Federer revealed back in February.
Tiger is also part of Roger’s mutual appreciation club, reportedly introducing his children to the Wimbledon champ by calling him a “legend.” No doubt Roger will be cheering his pal on in the Bahamas.
Dele Alli & Eric Dier
Eric grabs hold of Dele for dear life on England dutyGetty - Contributor
Teammates and roomies for Spurs and England, Dele and Eric do like to see a lot of each other.
So, it’s lucky that the pair are such good friends, constantly trading joking insults on social media, laughing during heavy training sessions for club and country all in the name of a good laugh.
Spurs enjoyed a great season with their dynamic all-smiling duo in fine mood, so Mauricio Pochettino will continue to tolerate their cheek.
They holidayed together in Mykonos last preseason, you’d think they’d be sick of the sight of each other, alas no. Their bromance lives on.
Mesut Ozil and Sergio Ramos
Hug it out! Sergio and Mesut must miss each other in different countriesReuters
Legend has it when Mesut was having a poor game during his time at Real Madrid, Sergio stepped in during a cutting halftime teamtalk with then manager Jose Mourinho to keep the peace.
If that’s not a bromance, sticking up for your bro during tough times, then we don’t know what is.
Mesut moved on to Arsenal, but his future is now subject to speculation with his contract due to expire in the summer.
Ramos reportedly called up his friend after hearing he was linked to Real’s rivals Barcelona and pleaded with him not to join their sworn enemies.
Would that be the deal-breaker in the bromance? We think not.
Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford
Friends on a plane! Marcus and Jesse share a cheeky smileGetty - Contributor
Man United stars always make best buds — Neville and Beckham, Giggs and Sharpe, Butt and Scholes, Keane and… but Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford are just the same.
Both broke into the England fold and have been seen sidled up to next to one another on a cosy bench, wise-cracking away during recent international breaks.
Jese also believes Marcus has the means to be United’s number 9 for years to come. “If he plays down the middle, he is bound to score goals,” he once said of his pal’s ability.
“He’s got the pace to beat players and he has got the composure in front of goal as well.”
James Rodriguez and Thomas Muller
Cheers! James and Thomas toast their friendship with a beerGetty Images - Getty
Not even a language barrier could deter these two Bayern Munich stars from forming a new-found bromance.
Since Rodriguez made the move to Germany from Spain, it’s been Muller who has helped the mercurial Colombian settle in.
That was even after it was claimed Rodriguez was set to take Muller’s first team spot!
But Muller welcomed the challenge, and Bayern found a way to play them both in the same team, with Rodriguez getting the best out of the German forward.
A few dodgy Oktoberfest pictures aside, we’d love to see these two make their bromance more social media official.
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