Poems, car park dates and Sunday strolls – the 9 secret footballer softies who are WAY more romantic than you think
FROM writing sweet nothings to dedicating special songs to their significant others, footballers love goes much further than the beautiful game.
While many might think these sportsmen are dedicated solely to the pitch, off it, they’re often hiding a much softer, romantic side.
Just this week, Coleen Rooney shared how lovestruck hubby, Wayne, has often written poems just for her.
The mum-of-four told her I’m A Celeb campmate, GK Barry, that even with the ups and downs of their 16-year marriage – and Wayne spending long stints away from home as Plymouth Argyle’s manager – their bond is as strong as ever.
She said: “Wayne’s always wrote me poems.
“You know the hotel pads? He was always writing a little poem and putting it in his bag and he’d give it to me when we got home.
“They’re nice to keep but I can’t remember the last time he gave me one . . .
“He is romantic in ways, we’re not the lovey-dovey couple in public but little things like that I think it keeps the relationship alive and it’s special when someone’s done something just for you, and the words mean something.”
This even left viewers in shock with many commenting on X, formely known as Twitter, with one saying: “WAYNE ROONEY IS A LOVE POET Who would have thought that.”
Whilst another adding: “Wayne Rooney, former footballer, current poet.”
So what other legendary footballers are hopeless romantics at home? There’s more than you might think…
David Beckham
Penned it in ink
They’re often dubbed ‘ultimate couple goals’, so every man could probably learn a thing or two from David when it comes to romancing a woman.
And David has proven to be super romantic with his wife, after getting endless inking tributes to her.
In his ever-growing collection, the former footballer has the word ‘Posh’ inked across his middle finger on his left hand in a nod to her Spice Girls nickname – as well as SIX others etched in her honour.
David reportedly got the tattoo at the same time that his son Cruz, 18, got a new design at Shamrock Social Club.
David exclusively told The Sun: “I’ve just had ‘Posh’ done.. any of the tattoos I’ve got are of the family.”
In 2015, the 49-year-old got the number ‘99’ tattooed on his little finger to mark the year he married Victoria, and his eldest son Brooklyn was born.
David, who also shares Romeo, 22, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 13, with Victoria, also has large roses and the words ‘I Love you’ on his neck which is also believed to be in honour of his wife.
On his left arm he also has Latin-inspired phrases ‘Ut Amem Et Foveam’ (So That I Love and Cherish) inked below Victoria’s name on his left arm and ‘Perfectio in Spiritu’ (Spiritual Perfection) on his right.
Previously his wife has also tweeted a picture which shows the word ‘Love’ added to David’s hand.
Gareth Bale
Trademarking his love
Gareth Bale has proven romance certainly can be brought to the pitch, as he even trademarks his love gesture to his wife Emma Rhys-Jones.
Gareth, whom he shares a daughter Alba Violet in 2012, their second daughter, Nava Valentina in 2016, and son Axel in 2018, before their fourth child Xander was born in 2021 with Emma, has publicly proven his love for his missus.
His goal celebration, which is creating a heart shape with his hands, is said to be directed at Emma.
And back in 2013 he successfully trademarked the “Eleven Of Hearts”.
Rio Ferdinand
Romantic strolls
Despite his busy career in football and presenting, Rio manages to prioritise his relationship with his wife Kate.
The couple, who have a one-year-old daughter, Shae, and a four-year-old son, Cree, often share glimpses of their life together on social media.
Rio enjoys taking time out with Kate, treating her to romantic Sunday strolls in the park and he doesn’t come empty handed either.
In a video previously shared on Instagram Stories, Kate revealed that Rio had brought a cup of tea to keep warm during their chilly December walk. “We’ve come to walk the dog and please appreciate this guy,” Kate said in the clip. “He has brought a cup of tea with him! Nah!”
In the video, Rio can be seen behind Kate, both dressed in similar puffer jackets, proudly holding up his mug of tea for the camera. “It’s the only way!” he can be heard saying.
Gareth Southgate
Tesco carpark dates
Gareth first laid eyes on his wife Alison, who worked in a clothes shop, in the early 1990s, and since then, their love has blossomed.
She has witnessed his journey from footballer to England manager, leading his team to the Euro 2024 final.
However, when they first met, they reportedly had to keep their relationship low-key due to Alison’s ex-boyfriend.
In his 2003 book “Woody & Nord: A Football Friendship,” Gareth detailed how he would pretend to browse the boutique where Alison worked before mustering the courage to approach her.
I felt like the proudest woman in the world. I’m so proud of all he’s achieved
Sandra Redknapp
Teased about his prominent nose, Gareth admitted it took him about two years to ask her out due to a lack of confidence.
When he finally did, Alison revealed she was living with her boyfriend at the time.
Upon later hearing that she had split up with him, Gareth decided to try again and succeeded.
The couple reportedly met in their local Tesco car park for dates to keep their relationship a secret from Alison’s ex-boyfriend.
David Seamen
Having a laugh
After 15 years, David and his wife Frankie Poultney have continued to keep the spark alive thanks to his romantic gestures.
David learnt the way to his woman’s heart was to make her smile, and feed her well.
In an exclusive interview with Fabulous, David said: “We make each other laugh every day and we have a great time together.
“In lockdown, we had a fantastic time starting some home projects, lots of DIY, and I even learned to bake sourdough.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
Personal touches
He is one of the most successful football players in the world, and off the pitch he is also winning his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez’s heart.
Since welcoming their first child together, Cristiano has made sure they have a “beautiful relationship.”
After the pair introduced her newborn daughter Alana Martina, who was born on November 2017 in Madrid, in Hello! magazine Georgina said: “It has definitely brought us closer. We’re happier together than ever.”
She added: “We wake up and the first thing we do is hug and kiss them, put them in their little chairs and watch them while they have their breakfast, make sure they have everything they need, and so on all day long.
We have a beautiful relationship and when I have him beside me, I have everything. I feel loved and cared for
Georgina Rodriguez
“This is a very special time for us all.”
And speaking of the sweet gesture Cristiano did following her first birth, she said: “When we got home from the hospital, he’d organised a surprise dinner, with all our nearest and dearest.
“I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
“I have found love. We complement each other very well.
“We have a beautiful relationship and when I have him beside me, I have everything. I feel loved and cared for.
“Love conquers all.” en the plane lands in London, I get off and there is the chauffeur driven car that drove us to our wedding all those years ago, the same car, the same driver.”
Jorginho
Alone time
The Arsenal star, 32, proposed to Catherine Harding in a romantic setting surrounded by red roses and candles, while a violinist serenaded them last year.
The couple, who are believed to have started dating in 2020, share a three-year-old son named Jax.
Jorginho and Catherine also offer fans a peek into their loving relationship through the Amazon reality series Married to the Game, which gives an intimate look at the lives of the partners of Premier League stars, affectionately known as WAGs.
In one touching episode, Jorginho is seen going the extra mile to keep the spark alive in their relationship.
After being away for a while, he ensures that their reunion includes a special hour of quality time, just the two of them.
Talk about a red card for romance – he knows how to play the game off the pitch too.
Harry Redknapp
Dedicating songs
He has never been afraid to share his love for his wife Sandra, ever since the beginning of their relationship 56 years ago.
And it’s no wonder why it’s going so strong, as it seems Harry is a hopeless romantic.
When Harry led Portsmouth to a thrilling FA Cup semi-final victory in 2008, his first move wasn’t to bask in glory – it was to call Radio Solent and request “Just The Way You Are” by Billy Joel be played for his wife, Sandra.
The romantic gesture was his way of thanking her for her unwavering support.
As Portsmouth went on to lift the trophy in the final, Harry dedicated the first major win of his career to Sandra.
Reflecting on the moment, Sandra said: “I felt like the proudest woman in the world. I’m so proud of all he’s achieved.”
The 77-year-old also recently revealed that the secret to their happy marriage is to never talk about football, as Sandra prefers to not get involved in it.
What makes the footballer's romantic gestures mean so much?
By Kate Taylor, sex and relationship expert
BEING in love with a footballer can’t be easy, so it’s heartwarming to see top-of-the-league romance being played out across the divisions. These moves are players’ ways of acknowledging that their partners are important, even if they’re currently halfway across the world.
For me, premiership moves involve a private moment, away from the limelight. Like Wayne Rooney slaving over handwritten poetry to prove to Colleen that he’s gone from Bad Boy to Bard Boy. Peter Crouch hiring a motorboat so he can sunbathe away from the cameras with Abbey Clancey. And Jorginho ensuring that he and Catherine Harding get an hour alone when he comes home.
They create an “it’s us against the world” feeling to help sustain the relationship long-term.
I’m less dazzled by players that seem to wear (literally, in some cases) their romantic gestures like a badge of honour. Filling your Instagram feed with photos of the flowers you sent your WAG, or having her face painted on the back of your jacket (why, Memphis, why?), feels like it’s for outsiders’ benefit. “Look how generous and romantic I am! Want that kind of treatment? Just slide into my DMs.”
According to research, the more unhappy a couple is in their relationship, the more positively they post about it online. Who are they really trying to convince?
My Mushy Man of the Match award goes to Harry Redknapp, for dedicating his first trophy to his wife Sandra, and getting the radio to play their song, “I Love You Just The Way You Are”. It was a public gesture, yes, but he used it to tell the world that he wouldn’t have been a success without her. Thoughtful, heartfelt and moving. Don’t go changing, Harry. We love you just the way you are.