Sport Features

FOOTBALLERS today will do anything to get an edge over their opponents.And that means more work in the gym, sculpting their perfect bodies and lifting heavy weights to gain extra muscle.
Cristiano Ronaldo is sculpted like an AdonisCredit: AFP or licensors
But these stars didn’t always look like body builders.
In fact, these athletes have enjoyed a remarkable body transformation over the years, even when they can’t train like they’re used to during the coronavirus lockdown.
EDEN HAZARD
When former Chelsea star Hazard moved to Real Madrid in a deal worth £130million, Los Blancos were delighted.
But they wouldn’t have been happy when he turned up to training seven kilograms overweight.
Even fans pointed out he looked chunky when he reported for preseason games.
However, during the coronavirus lockdown Hazard took his fitness very seriously.
“It’s complicated for me. I’m trying not to eat a lot,” he told RTBF.
“I’m trying not to go into the pantry to eat a lot of buns, but it’s not easy.”
It appears he laid off the buns –  impressing manager Zinedine Zidane at the club’s training centre with a more svelte figure.
When Eden Hazard arrived at Real Madrid he was seven kilograms overweightCredit: Twitter @realmadrid
Hazard impressed Zidane by laying off the buns during the coronavirus lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
CRISTIANO RONALDO
As a youngster, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was often called too skinny by his coaches.
But through the years, Ronaldo went from lanky winger to powerhouse forward thanks to a strict exercise regime.
“I put it in my mind that my body can improve,” Ronaldo said.
“With dedication and hard work in the gym I improved a lot on that – at the end of the day it’s down to the person’s mindset.”
A Pilates-based routine that focuses on resistance work to strengthen his core is also key to his success – reportedly giving the Portuguese star the body of a 23-year-old.
Ronaldo used to be called too skinny when he was an up and coming youngsterCredit: AFP
Thanks to a strict diet and rigorous exercise regime Ronaldo has transformed his bodyCredit: Getty – Contributor
MARCUS RASHFORD
When Rashford emerged on the scene in 2017 as a fresh-faced 19-year-old, his body was still developing.
But having Cristiano Ronaldo as a role model at the club when he was a youngster was a big help.
The striker watched Ronaldo in training closely, adding strength and conditioning work to the technical training he does at Carrington, which has given him a more muscular physique today.
When Marcus Rashford first emerged on the scene in 2017 he was skin and boneCredit: Reuters
Today, with added strength and conditioning training Rashford has bulked upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
The Bayern Munich striker has been sensational for the Bavarian giants, and it’s all down to his nutritionist wife Anna.
Through his diet, as well as rigorous training regime with the Bundesliga side, he is now the perfect specimen.
“We changed our diet step by step, first cutting out sweets and then milk,” Lewandowski explained.
“Cows’ milk and soya milk isn’t good for me. Almond milk and rice milk is OK. I don’t really drink alcohol, either. Maybe wine but only sometimes.”
When he started his career at Lech Poznan Lewandowski was skinnyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Lewandowski now flashes killer abs thanks to a diet enforced by his nutritionist wife AnnaCredit: Instagram @_rl9
ADAMA TRAORE
A devastating blend of pace and power, Traore’s game has come on leaps and bounds.
And social media blew up when snaps of the Wolves winger emerged showing off a raging bicep that would’ve put any Hollywood action hero to shame.
But despite his rippling muscles, Traore insists he doesn’t do any weight training.
“My training? I don’t do weights,” he told Spanish outlet La Sexta.
“It’s hard to believe, but I don’t do weights.
“It’s genetic. I exercise, but I gain mass very quickly.”
Spanish winger Adama Traore was a slight winger playing for Spain’s U16 teamCredit: Getty – Contributor
Today, blossoming at Wolves, Traore is henchCredit: Getty – Contributor
ADEBAYO AKINFENWA
You don’t get the nickname ‘The Beast” for nothing, as well as a 98 strength rating in FIFA 20.
Football’s strongest man Akinfenwa ruffles defenders feathers playing for Wycombe Wanderers in League One.
To fuel his weights sessions, the striker eats like a beast too, although his weight does go up and down.
“Breakfast is Weetabix with honey,” he told the Daily Mail.
“At training there will be some kind of chicken. Our chef personally does chicken for me and that makes me very happy.
“Then a shake in the afternoon. For dinner, again it’s probably chicken, potato and coleslaw. My partner is half-Nigerian, half-Caribbean so it may be the curry goat, rice and potato. It’s the carbs I need to eat.
“I throw in the odd Nando’s. Quarter-chicken, medium breast, chips, corn on the cob and five wings. I don’t deviate.”
Adebayo Akinfenwa had a smaller frame during his time at NorthamptonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Akinfenwa is now nicknamed The Beast because of his enormous size
HULK
The aptly named Brazilian striker has always been admired for his physical stature.
Built like a truck, Hulk is still terrorising defenders back in Brazil for  Atlético Mineiro.
But there was a time when the former Porto star looked a little overweight, rather than chiselled.
He has toned up now, and looks fitter than his 34-years suggest.
At Porto Hulk was a little rounder and squarerCredit: AFP – Getty
Now plying his trade back in Brazil, Hulk is leaner, more muscular and fit as a fiddle
SERGIO RAMOS
The Real Madrid defender’s Instagram account is littered with videos of high-intensity workout videos.
When he was at Sevilla, he was just a beanpole of a defender. Now, he’s the real deal.
“My training routines at home are usually focused on functional and isometric exercises, always ending with some cardio work,” he revealed.
And for Sergio, a healthy breakfast is the perfect to start the day.
He revealed: “I usually take a coffee, some whole-grain bread with protein like turkey breast or a poached egg, and a piece of fruit.”
When he began his career at Sevilla, Ramos was a beanpole of a defenderCredit: EPA
Ramos is now one of the most chiselled footballers around
GEORGE ELOKOBI
There’s no doubt about it, Elokobi is hench.
The former Wolves star, now playing for National League side Maidstone United, was always a crowd favourite because of his size.
At only 5ft 9inches, he isn’t the tallest. But he earned the nickname of ‘The Body’ at Molineux because he was pure muscle.
The defender even stripped down to his smalls on the catwalk during a charity fashion show at the club.
Former Wolves star George Elokobi was nicknamed ‘The Body’
Elokobi even stripped down to his smalls to show off his six-pack for a charity fashion showCredit: Matthew Ashton
MARIO BALOTELLI
The fiery former Manchester City striker was always tall and lean.
But after celebrating scoring for Italy against Germany in Euro 2012, he was keen to show off a ripped torso as he flexed his muscles shirtless.
However, the normally fit Balotelli was anything but in 2018 when he returned to training for Nice reportedly two stone overweight when a move to Marseille collapsed.
He soon dropped half a stone and was back to normal.
When Mauro Balotelli first emerged on the scene he was leanerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
At Euro 2012 Balotelli flexes his muscles after scoring against GermanyCredit: Corbis – Getty

ALEXIS SANCHEZ
The Inter Milan striker takes his training very seriously.
Former Manchester United star Sanchez enjoys working out alone, and shared a video online strutting his stuff at their Carrington training ground to the famous Rocky theme ‘Eye of the Tiger’ in 2019.
Sanchez has also been seen in the past enjoying sprint drills on the beach. After all, even though it is pre-season you can’t down tools in the summer.
Standing at 5ft 6in, the former Gunner knows he needs strength as an attribute for his game to thrive. And he looks the business.
Alexis Sanchez has worked hard on building his muscle massCredit: Getty – Contributor
Sanchez is happy to share his extra workouts on InstagramCredit: Instagram @alexis_officia1
Wolves star Adama Traore sported a shirt on Wednesday without the club’s sponsor on the front More

FOOTBALLERS today make massive money.With the average Premier League wage now exceeding £50k-per-week, it’s no wonder boys grow up dreaming of making it pro.
Gianluca Vialli has always enjoyed the high-lifeCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
However, this lot were already from wealthy backgrounds before they made it to the big league.
Let SunSport guide you through the football stars that were already swimming in riches and didn’t need the beautiful game.GIANLUCA VIALLI
Chelsea and Italy legend Vialli was always recognised as a gentleman of the game.
And it’s probably got to do with his upbringing. He was raised by his father, a self-made millionaire, in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in Cremona, along with four siblings.
The Champions League and Serie A winner also loves a posh round of golf.
He took part in the Alfred Dunhill links championship pro-am event, which is one of the richest golf tournaments played in Europe.
Vialli grew up in a 60-room castle called the Castello di Belgioioso in CremonaCredit: Alamy
Dignified Vialli had a far from modest upbringingCredit: Instagram @lucavialli
Gianluca Vialli scores for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest in 1996Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
FRANK LAMPARD
The ex-Chelsea manager didn’t have to go into football, although it was an easy step for him to make.
Lampard came from a football family, with uncle Harry Redknapp and dad Frank Lampard Snr showing him the way at West Ham United.
He intended the posh Brentwood School in Essex that would’ve cost a fortune in school fees.
There, he scored 11 GCSE’s and could’ve been an accountant, according to a former teacher.
Frank Lampard went to posh Brentwood High SchoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
GERARD PIQUE
Being half of a celebrity couple (his missus is Colombian singer Shakira), Barcelona defender Pique has made his own fortune.
However, growing up life was easy for the defender who had a spell in England at Manchester United as a youth.
He lived a comfortable existence in Catalonia. Dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in Barcelona.
Even Pique’s grandfather Amador Bernabeu was minted – as a former director of the La Liga champions.
Gerard Pique’s dad Joan is a successful attorney and businessman, while mum Montserrat is the director of a hospital in BarcelonaCredit: Alamy
FAIQ BOLKIAH
Formerly of Leicester City, currently playing for Portuguese club Marítimo, Bolkiah is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, who has a fortune estimated to be worth £15bn.
His dad is Jefri Bolkiah, a brother of the oil tycoon, so that makes Faiq a member of their royal family and in line to receive a nice inheritance.
At his 50th birthday, to impress his son, he hired Michael Jackson to play a private gig just for them.
Faiq Bolkiah is a former Leicester City trainee and nephew of the Sultan of BruneiCredit: Instagram @fjbolkiah
AL-SAADI GADDAFI
The third son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Al-Saadi played for Perugia, Udinese and was on the books at Sampdoria.
In 2011, he retired and became the commander of Libya’s Special Forces and led the army in the Libyan Civil War.
In 2018, he was cleared of murder charges after he was extradited from Niger back to Libya.
During his playing days he once employed Diego Maradona as a technical consultant, and Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson as his personal trainer.
Al-Saadi Gaddafi was the son of Colonel GaddafiCredit: AFP – Getty
Gaddafi played in Italy before becoming an army generalCredit: Getty – Contributor
HUGO LLORIS
The Spurs goalie comes from an affluent background.
Growing up in Nice in the South of France, his mother was an attorney, while his dad was a banker.
He took tennis lessons as a kid, and was ranked high in his age range as a youngster. It meant football played second fiddle in his life until the age of 13.
Lloris famously played through the pain of losing his mum, refusing bereavement leave to play for Nice.
Hugo Lloris could have been a tennis star instead of a footballerCredit: AFP – Getty
ROBIN VAN PERSIE
Wealthy and artisanal, Van Persie’s parents afforded the former Arsenal striker a comfortable life growing up in Rotterdam.
His father Bob is a renowned artist and sculptor, while his mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designer.
Van Persie’s parents split up when he was younger, and he was a troublesome teen.
His dad expected him to become an artist too.
Robin Van Persie’s parents were artisticCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
Mother Jose Ras is a painter, teacher and jewellery designerCredit: Instagram @robinvanpersie
MARIO BALOTELLI
The fiery Italian wasn’t born wealthy.
Balotelli originally comes from Palermo and his parents where Ghanaian immigrants.
But he was adopted by Francesco and Silvia Balotelli family when his mum and dad couldn’t afford him. They were a wealthy pair, who lived in an affluent part of Brescia called Concesio.
His birth and adoptive parents fought for custody, but it was decided it was in Balotelli’s best interests to stay put.
Mario Balotelli was adopted when he was a kidCredit: Instagram @mb459
Francesco and Silvia Balotelli lived wealthily in BresciaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
ANDREA PIRLO
An elegant footballer and man, Pirlo learned about the finer things in life when he was a kid.
His dad Luigi set up a steel company in Brescia in 1982, which Andrea still has a stake in.
The former Juventus star enjoyed an upper class life, which he later put to use in his own way.
Pirlo, who ended his career in the MLS, also owns his own vineyard, as rich people do.
Andrea Pirlo learned about the finer things in life as a youngsterCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
Today, refined Pirlo owns his own vineyardCredit: Instagram @andreapirlo21
PATRICK BAMFORD
He doesn’t have to play centre forward for Leeds, you know.
Bamford isn’t your typical footballer, being a skilled violin and piano player and attended fee-paying Nottingham High School, got five A*s at GCSE and went on to study French, history and biology at A Level.
Bamford was even offered a scholarship at Harvard in the US, who recognised his academic prowess.
However, he’s not related to JCB founder Joseph Bamford, as was once claimed.
Patrick Bamford went to private school and was offered a scholarship to HarvardCredit: Instagram @patrick_bamford
Bamford is a not relative of JCB founder Joseph Bamford as was once claimedCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
KAKA
Most of Brazil’s best footballers lead a life that tells a rags-to-riches tale.
But former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka is different.

He was raised by father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite, who was an engineer, while his mother Simone dos Santos was a school teacher.
It has been reported that Kaka lived comfortably, and wasn’t raised in poverty like many of his teammates for his country.
Brazilian legend Kaka lived a comfortable existence growing upCredit: Instagram @kaka
Kaka’s father Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite was an engineerCredit: Instagram @kaka
Ref books Brazilian legend Kaka before taking a selfie with him during star studded charity match More