While soccer is a fun sport in and of itself, it's that much more fun when you get to play with your best friend. Here is a list of the best soccer bromances (and womances).
Best Soccer Bromances
Eric Dier and Dele Alli
The two have been inseparable since Dele Alli joined Tottenham Hotspur from MK Dons in 2015.
Alli has several times mentioned he considers Dier to be a “big brother” to him, and the two are frequently spotted hanging out together off the pitch.
Eric Dier and Dele Alli continue their blossoming relationship with a trip to Mykonos in Greece, these two can't get enough of each other. pic.twitter.com/wlHlkySwaW
— Ricky Sacks (@RickSpur) July 4, 2017
Like best friends do, they frequently tease each other on social media, my favorite instance of this being the picture Dier posted when Alli received a contract extension at Tottenham. Considering that their teammate connection extends to the national team as well, there is very little time in the year when these two aren’t spending time together on or off the field.
Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford
With both Manchester United men and English internationals having spent their childhood in the Manchester United youth academy together, it seems natural that these two attacking-minded players would become friends. Embed from Getty Images
However, over the years their friendship has blossomed into a best-friendship. The two go on holiday together every summer, and during the World Cup in 2018 would share a bed some nights in order to watch movies late together.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope that this friendship will translate on the field, as United attempts to improve on their 6th place finish last season.
Mallory Pugh and Rose Lavelle
I had to throw a womance in here. Mallory Pugh and Rose Lavelle are not only teammates on USWNT and the Washington Spirit, they are also roommates with fellow teammate Andi Sullivan
Both scored in the World Cup rout against Thailand, with Pugh crying when Lavelle scored because she was so proud of how far her friend had come after experiencing hamstring issues over the last few years. The two were attached at the hip in New York during the World Cup champions parade, with photos of the dynamic duo splattered all over each other's social media.
With both players representing the future of the Washington Spirit and the USWNT, expect this womance to only grow in the coming years.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette
Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng and Alexandre Lacazette have built a powerful friendship on their mutual respect for each other's ability on the field. Embed from Getty Images
When Aubamayeng first joined the Arsenal side in 2018, the two players were competing for the starting forward role in the squad. However, the competition slowly died down, as it was clear that Arsenal was at its best when both forwards were in the starting 11. Together the two players combined for 35 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League last season. Embed from Getty Images
What makes their bromance so heartwarming is how supportive they are of each other on the field. Not only do they always celebrate their goals together, they have each on one occasion, allowed the other to take a PK to help them get out of a scoring slump.
Dani Alves and Neymar
Despite their massive age gap, Dani Alves and Neymar are extremely close. Neymar attributes the seamlessness of his transition from Santos to Barcelona to Alves’ support and guidance, and Alves is Neymar’s biggest advocate, having stated many times that Neymar “is on the same level as Ronaldo and Messi.” Embed from Getty Images
Dani Alves puts Neymar on the same level as Lionel Messi - https://t.co/xmUkpE4qbR pic.twitter.com/hHI6VUwYPh
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) February 1, 2018
The two have spent only one season apart since Neymar has played in Europe, with Alves coming to PSG after a one-year stint at Juventus. It is rumored that Neymar requested that PSG sign Alves to keep him happy, but that’s not to say that the move was undeserved, as Alves is one of the most decorated and talented right backs in the history of the game.
With rumors of Neymar potentially making his return to Barcelona running wild, it's no surprise that Alves has also been linked back to Barcelona alongside his fellow Brazilian teammate.
