Style Icons: Ronaldo vs Bale

Leading up to the Euro 2016 semi-final clash between Portugal and Wales on Wednesday 6^th July, Mainline Menswear have brought you a comparison of the superstars from each team, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Looking not only at how they fair on the pitch, but in the world of fashion too.

Both Ronaldo and Bale shone in their youth, and both made a splash during their debuts in the Premier League as acclaimed free-kick specialists. Now they play side by side at Real Madrid, but come Wednesday night they will be rivals at the Stade des Lumieres in Lyon for the first semi-final of Euro 2016.

Clearly they share many similarities in the world of football, but what do they each offer to the world of fashion?

Cristiano Ronaldo

When he signed for Manchester United in 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo was new to the fashion world and can be seen here wearing one of his more questionable outfits. Flared jeans paired with a bold, striped t-shirt. However, what he lacked at this time in fashion sense, he definitely made up for on the pitch – so we’ll let him off.

When he moved to Spain in 2009 his fashion sense blossomed with him. He began wearing brands like Armani and Moschino and soon became the face for Emporio Armani underwear. Now he is known as not only one of the best footballers in the world, but also one of the most fashionable. His own fashion brand CR7 has been very popular, selling shoes, underwear and shirts, all with the famous CR7 logo.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale didn’t make as much as a splash in the fashion industry as early on as Ronaldo, and was often photographed just wearing his Spurs kit in the 2000s. But like Ronaldo, when he moved to Real Madrid his fashion sense began to improve. Here he is seen wearing an understated plain white t-shirt, paired with grey skinny jeans.

Perhaps how Bale has evolved in the fashion world, is less through his clothing choices, but more through his hair. His now famous man-bun has been seen tearing up the pitch in France this summer, and is now what he is most recognized for. Here we see him and his famous man-bun relaxing on a jet ski earlier in summer.

Regardless of their fashion statements, the limelight will be on their football ability tomorrow night, as we prepare for one of the biggest games of the 2016 Euros so far. Good luck to both sides!