FIFA World Cup 2014: The WAGs, they WAKA!

Rina Shayk, Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend

The 28-year-old Russian swimsuit model has been dating Portuguese heartthrob Cristiano Ronaldo for four years now. More often than not, she is seen cheering her man whether he is playing for Real Madrid or the national side. She appeared in 2007 through 2014 in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and was also the cover model for the 2011 issue. Shayk will make her acting debut as the wife of Hercules in the 2014 film Hercules. While Ronaldo will be the cynosure of all eyes on the pitch, his sassy green-eyed girlfriend, who looks stunning in anything she wears from Alberta Ferretti’s LBDs to slick pantsuits, will lead Portugal’s glamour brigade.

Sara Carbonero, Iker Casillas’ girlfriend

The longtime girlfriend of Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas shot into the limelight at the 2010 World Cup after Casillas kissed her on live TV after winning the Cup. Sara, a sports presenter with a Spanish television network was also infamously accused of distracting Casillas during his team’s 0-1 loss to Switzerland in the group stages the same year. In Brazil, Sara who was voted the sexiest reporter in the world in 2009, will be among the WAGs with the oomph factor to watch, this after giving birth to their son Martín Casillas Carbonero in January. 

Mandy Capristo, Mesut Ozil’s girlfriend

They are Germany’s answer to David and Victoria Beckham. The stunning German singer, songwriter, dancer, and model and the football sensation have been together since early 2013. Known for her calming effect on Ozil, Mandy who combines style with elegance is sure to be the envy of many camps. Capristo has published songs in English; for the Tabaluga project and the feature film Rapunzel .
 

Lena Gercke, Sami Khedira’s girlfriend

Having dated the German midfielder since 2011, the high street model and TV personality is quite a head-turner. The 26-year-old blonde will be the most watched German WAG in Brazil, given her past reputation. She was winner of the first cycle of Germany’s Next Top Model. At the 2012 Euro Cup, the blue-eyed beauty was asked to tone down her appearance after she overshadowed the others. With her fancy for low-cuts and skimpy dresses, if the German camp experiences a heat wave, it won’t have anything to do with the Brazil weather!

Shakira, Gerard Pique’s girlfriend

If Shakira has anything to thank for the love in her life, it has to be the World Cup. For, love bloomed between the steamy songstress and Spanish defender Gerard Pique during the making of the 2010 World Cup song Waka Waka by the Colombian superstar. They have been together since then and have a son Milan. The Hips Don’t Lie singer who shares her birthday with Pique, who is 10 years her junior, will make her maiden appearance as an official WAG this summer. Usually dressed in boho-styled clothing, it will be interesting to see Shakira’s style statement this summer.

Gabriella Lenzi, Neymar’s girlfriend

She is the latest model to join the WAGs bandwagon. Brazilian superstar Neymar, who parted ways with TV starlet Bruna Marquezine at the beginning of the year, started dating the Sao Paulo-born supermodel Gabriella recently. While Neymar is seen as the prince who carries the home team’s Cup dreams, it will be interesting to watch if Gabriella will turn out to be the sizzling princess off the turf.

Yolanthe, Sneijder-Cabau Wesley Sneijder’s wife

The 29-year-old multifaceted beauty of Spanish and Dutch parentage, once considered the hottest Dutch woman, is a popular Dutch actress and TV star and also runs a charity with husband Wesley Sneijder. She was in the third season of the dramedy Voetbalvrouwen, which is like the British series Footballers’ Wives. Considered a fashion goddess at home, she is the classic style meets substance and flair flirts with dare, so look out for this hottie in Rio. 

Antonella Roccuzzo, Lionel Messi’s girlfriend

Her man is one of the most photographed sportspersons in the world, but Antonella loves her privacy and shuns limelight as much as she can. The 26-year-old who has been dating Messi for the past six years is seen as the woman behind his success. With Messi expected to spearhead Argentina’s challenge, it’s going to be hard to miss his most beloved supporter cheering him. Unlike most other WAGs who come from the glamour world, Antonella has studied nutrition hence the focus will be on how Messi’s lady love will match up to the ultra-chic rivals from the WAGs world.

Melissa Satta, Kevin-Prince Boateng’s fiance

Together the lovebirds are known as ‘Satteng’ but make no mistake, for Ghana’s Kevin-Prince Boateng’s fiancée Melissa Satta is a beauty with brains. The Italian-American model and television presenter is a former footballer herself, having played for Sardinia. Known for her street-wear look, the 28-year-old, with a beautifully crafted body will surely be among the prime show stoppers in the WAGs parade this season.

Sam Cooke, Chris Smalling’s girlfriend

Being a WAG, especially in England is no small task and if in doubt ask Chris Smalling’s girlfriend Sam Cooke. The couple who will each make their World Cup debut, albeit on and off the field, have big shoes to fill. Coming from the land of Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole, Sam has her task cut out. There will be a lot of buzz round her, especially since the England think-tank has officially banned the WAGs from the team hotels.