From Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Gerard Pique: 5 footballers who married women older to them

Footballers are celebrities, who not just dominate the sport with their excellent gameplay techniques, but also inspire a million fans worldwide. The inspiration might not only be limited to football, but also outside of it, through their personal lives, including marriages.

Footballers are one of the most celebrated athletes in the world, especially the top ones, who dominate the sport with their fine footballing skills. However, it is not just the sport where they dominate, but also in their personal lives, and even in marriages.

While most of the footballers go on to marry their longtime childhood sweetheart, some even hitch with hotshot celebrity models, actresses and television personalities. Nonetheless, it becomes even interesting when their wives happen to be older than them.

Over the years, a number of prominent footballers have set an example apart in the same. In the same light, we take a look five of the top footballers who have a spouse older than them, and for whom, age is just a number, even in marriages.

Mauro Icardi: The Argentine forward is first in the list. However, it is a bit controversial one. He married Wanda Nara in 2014, who happens to be a media personality, football agent, showgirl, television presenter and a model. Meanwhile, Wanda was previously married to Icardi's former teammate and friend Maxi Lopez. Nonetheless, she dumped him to begin a relationship with Icardi, as it also destroyed the friendship of the two teammates. Regardless, Icardi is having a steady life with her, as he is even taking care of her three children, who belong to Lopez, besides having one of their own. While Icardi is 27, Wanda is 33.

Cesc Fabregas: The former Chelsea midfielder has been with Lebanese fashion model Daniella Semaan, since 2011. The couple apparently met at a Japanese restaurant in London, where Daniella demanded an autograph for her son, who was his fan. It is since then the couple have been fond of each other and started dating before they decided to tie the knot in 2018. Interestingly, Daniella happens to be 11 years older than Fabregas.

Sergio Ramos: The current Spanish and Real Madrid defender, too, has a similar story. It was in 2012 when he met Spanish reporter and TV presenter Pilar Rubio during one of his game with the club. Since then, they have had an instant liking for each other, as they dated for seven long years before getting hitched last year. The couple has three sons together. While Ramos is 34, Pilar is 42.

Gerard Pique: The renowned Spanish defender, who currently plays for Barcelona, won the World Cup in 2010. It was the same year when he came across Colombian singer and dancer, Shakira. The two met in the build-up to the World Cup, while Shakira was recording her super-hit song, 'Waka Waka', for the tournament. After he helped Spain lift the World Cup, the two became romantically involved, as coach Pep Guardiola confirmed their relationship. Shakira, who despite being 10 years elder to Pique, tied the knot with him in 2011, as the couple even has two children together. They are also referred to as the power couple in the sport.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The so-called Swedish god of football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is apparently the biggest name in the list. Although it is not sure as to when he tied the knot, it is 2002 when he met Swedish model Helena Seger. Four years later, their first son was born, followed by the second in 2008. While Ibrahimovic is 39, Helena is 50.