With more eyes on professional football than ever before, players and managers want to look their best at every possible moment, whether they’re tearing round a defender or posing for a photo on Instagram.
Many footballers and coaches have undergone remarkable transformations during their time in the game, whether by fixing their teeth, changing their haircuts or pumping iron in the gym to get their bodies into shape.
Even Macclesfield’s manager John Rooney, who sensationally orchestrated the non-league club’s famous FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace last weekend, managed to steal the limelight from his legendary footballer brother Wayne as fans reacted in amazement to his remarkable transformation.
His shining new smile more than caught the eye, with one fan writing on X: ‘I needed my shades on to stop me getting dazzled by John Rooney’s new teeth.’
Wayne’s younger brother is by no means the only footballer to make headlines in this way. Daily Mail Sport takes a look at some of the stars who have enjoyed the greatest glow ups in football.
John Rooney’s dazzling smile went viral last week as he showed off his remarkable glow up
Cristiano Ronaldo
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star doesn’t just pride himself on his incredible footballing ability. Sitting down for an interview with Piers Morgan a few months ago, the Portuguese icon, 40, confidently declared himself more ‘beautiful’ than David Beckham.
Ronaldo has come a long way since first signing for Manchester United in 2003. When he touched down in the UK, he had gaps in his teeth and a comparatively frail physique.
Thanks in part to his vigorous, high-intensity conditioning regime and multiple alleged plastic surgery procedures, the Al-Nassr forward has changed significantly both facially and in terms of his physical appearance, boasting a biological body age of approximately just 29.
Cristiano Ronaldo has maximised his physical appearance with high-intensity conditioning
Sergio Ramos
The Real Madrid legend opted for a long-haired, clean-shaven appearance at the start of his glittering career.
Fast forward to today and Ramos, 39, is almost unrecognisable by comparison, having undergone a significant glow up.
Now boasting a shredded physique, a Viking-esque beard and rich collection of body tattoos, the Spaniard has more than grown into his look.
Ramos, who began his career as a right-back, was determined to get himself into better shape after being moved to centre-back in 2009 – a position he’d go on to dominate for over 15 years before hanging up his boots.
Sergio Ramos has undergone a remarkable body transformation since first arriving in Madrid
Leon Goretzka
Fewer footballers made more of the Covid-19 pandemic than Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka, who underwent a sensational body transformation during lockdown.
It was so remarkable that the Bundesliga club posted a ‘before and after’ picture on its official social media channel to laud Goretzka’s efforts, captioning the tweet: ‘Hard work pays off’.
The Germany international, now 30, could leave Bayern Munich after 12 years at the club this summer, with AC Milan weighing up a free move for the midfielder when his contract expires in June.
Bayern Munich gloated about Leon Goretzka’s stunning body transformation over lockdown
Mesut Ozil
Staying in Germany and on body transformations, Mesut Ozil rocked world football back in 2024 when he showed off his new ripped physique on social media.
The former Arsenal star, who was viewed as a lean and nimble attacking midfielder in his playing days, turned to weights after his retirement and now enjoys sharing his intense workout sessions in the gym.
Although opponents could not get near Ozil when he was a player a lot of the time, most defenders would have fancied themselves in a 50/50 tussle with the German. I’m not sure they would now.
Mesut Ozil, who now loves weightlifting, is another whose body has bulked out significantly
Scott McTominay
Everything has improved for Scott McTominay since his exit from Manchester United.
The Scot, who guided Napoli to Serie A glory during his debut campaign at the Italian giants last season, has kept up his sensational form to become one of the most well-respected players in the division – even earning a Ballon d’Or nomination.
And yet it is not just McTominay’s performances that have seen improvement. Now, with a fresh Italian tan and pushed-back long locks, the midfielder walks and dresses with 10 times the style he did at Manchester United, even giving fashionable Napoli team-mate Kevin De Bruyne a run for his money.
Scott McTominay’s life has transformed since his move to Napoli from Manchester United
The Scotland international and his girlfriend Cam Reading are enjoying their new life in Italy
Gareth Bale
Going from brittle Southampton teenager to Real Madrid muscleman in just over five years, Gareth Bale underwent a stunning glow up that rivalled even Ronaldo during his playing days.
Bulking out at Tottenham in an effort to stop defenders taking chunks out of him, the Welshman carried out a rigorous exercise programme with hard work in the gym and a hefty protein-heavy diet.
Now a vegan and teetotal, Bale continues to look after himself in his retirement, enjoying plenty of family time and jetting off on dream holidays around the world.
Gareth Bale was once a scrawny teenager at Southampton but bulked out later in his career
Alejandro Garnacho
When Alejandro Garnacho penned a new five-year deal with Manchester United back in 2023, fans spotted a noticeable difference with the Argentine’s appearance. Like his idol Ronaldo, Garnacho had completely transformed his smile.
For footballers, who smile and and celebrate goals with team-mates on a regular basis, a good set of gnashers can make a significant difference to a player’s confidence and self-assurance.
Since first breaking on to the scene, Garnacho has experimented with several different hairstyles too, while also dressing his body in a series of tattoos.
Alejandro Garnacho has dramatically changed his teeth since first breaking on to the scene
Graham Potter
Addressing his glow up in 2022, the former Chelsea boss joked that he is ‘growing into his face like a fine wine’ when he was likened to suave characters such as James Bond and the Milk Tray man.
The English manager looks almost unrecognisable compared to how he appeared in a 1993 photograph from his teenage years at Birmingham City.
Potter’s sense of style has also improved. A stylish polo neck jumper has been a feature of his touchline look in recent years, while the ex-West Ham boss also to sport his signature all-black attire when he was unveiled as Sweden manager last October.
Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter once joked that he is ‘growing into his face like a fine wine’
Jurgen Klopp
Long gone are the blonde curtains, rounded spectacles and angled teeth that defined Jurgen Klopp’s look during his early years as a manager in Germany.
After a hair transplant in 2012, a new set of pearly whites in 2017 and laser eye surgery in 2021, Klopp underwent a huge facial transformation while managing at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, completing a remarkable glow up.
When he emotionally announced his exit from Liverpool in 2024, Klopp even referred to the extent to which his physical appearance has changed.
‘The last three years, you can count as dog years,’ he joked. ‘If you look at a picture from 2015 and now you’d say: “That’s only nine years (apart)?!”
Long gone are the blonde curtains, rounded spectacles and angled teeth for Jurgen Klopp
Brendan Rodgers is another who has benefitted from a teeth transformation during his career
Brendan Rodgers
The former Leicester and Liverpool boss is another who has benefitted from a teeth transformation during the course of his managerial career.
Although he now boasts a gleaming set of white teeth, Brendan Rodgers previously had a very different smile and appears to have had some work done.
Rodgers, whose dental transformation occurred while he was at the Liverpool helm in 2013, went on to spark a teeth frenzy at Anfield as Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and others began trading in for sparkling new gnashers.
