Image via Complex Original
While most sports heads out here are hyped about the NBA playoffs, fans across the pond are gearing up for the year's biggest soccer match: the UEFA Champions League final, with Barcelona and Manchester United set to kick off at Wembley Stadium on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. (EST). This week, we already broke down the Greatest Champions League Players of the 21st Century, now it's time focus on another one of our fields of expertise—the wifeys! WAG culture in Europe is bigger than anywhere else, and these two star-studded squads are no exception. From a Colombian songstress to a lingerie model, Barca and Man U have a fine selection of the baddest wives and girlfriends. So, as you prepare for Saturday's big match, check out the WAGs of each squad and let us know who has the upper hand. Here are the Hottest WAGs of Barcelona and Manchester United...
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Malena Costa
WIFEY OF: Carles Puyol, Barcelona
COMPLEX SAYS: Puyol and Spanish model Malena Costa have been dating since September of last year. The two have kept their relationship on the low for the most part, besides Puyol dedicating his game-winning header against Valencia to her by making a heart-shaped gesture with his hands (really?). SMH, only in soccer (or any other multi-billion dollar sport) can a dude with a Sideshow Bob-cut bag a hottie like this.
Coleen Rooney
WIFEY OF: Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
COMPLEX SAYS: Haters like to call this couple the poor man's version of the Beckhams, but since marrying in 2008, Wayne and Coleen have established themselves as the premier football couple. Wayne has become one of the greatest Champions League players of all time, while Coleen has made a reported £8 million through endorsement offers, book deals, and her career as a columnist for OK! magazine. Plus, she put up with Wayne seeing prostitutes in the past? Wifey material!
Yolanda Cardona
WIFEY OF: Victor Valdes, Barcelona
COMPLEX SAYS: Valdes, Barca's most successful goalkeeper (five La Liga and two Champions League titles, son!), and model Yolanda Cardona have been dating for years, and welcomed their first child, a baby boy, back in 2009. We don't know much else about Cardona, except that there is a whole lot of NSFW material under her name on the interwebs. Feel free to start Googling...now! Unless you're at work, of course.
Lisa Roughead
WIFEY OF: Michael Carrick, Manchester United
COMPLEX SAYS: Lisa and Michael Carrick met at school when they were teenagers. Carrick went on to become one of the most well-known English footballers with over 300 Premier league appearances while Lisa went on to become a Pilates instructor and earn a degree in business. The two were married on June 16, 2007, the same date Carrick's national teammates, Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard held their own weddings. Hmmm...sounds like a future addition to this list. #justsayin'
Hayet Abidal
WIFEY OF: Eric Abidal, Barcelona
COMPLEX SAYS: Eric and Hayet have also known each other since they were teenagers. The couple married in 2007 and they have two daughters. The Abidals did have a family crisis this year when a tumor was found on Eric's liver in March. With the support of his teammates, family, and his wife, Eric made his return to the pitch in the Champion's League semi-final against Real Madrid on May 3. Ride-or-die chicks, FTW.
Leanne Wassell
WIFEY OF: Wes Brown, Manchester United
COMPLEX SAYS: Wassell and Brown are married and have two children together. Though Wes has spent 14 seasons with Man U, he has been able to stay out of the tabloids and dodge the usual affair claims that hound most married footballers. Good for him. Though, twos like that (peep second pic) would make being faithful a bit easier.
Antonella Roccuzzo
WIFEY OF: Lionel Messi, Barcelona
COMPLEX SAYS: The world's best player (sorry, Ronaldo) not only has the best skills on the pitch but has some game off of it, too. Unlike other footballers (ahem, Ronaldo) who've dated a plethora of jumpoffs and stay in the tabloids, Messi keeps his biz on the low while still bagging this Argentinian dimepiece. Not much is known about 23-year-old, except that she and Messi have known each other since they were kids. With photos like these, do you really need to know much more? #apictureisworthathousandwords
Daniela Martins
WIFEY OF: Luis Nani, Manchester United
COMPLEX SAYS: Since signing with Man U in 2007, Nani has become a favorite among fans while his model girlfriend, Daniela Martins, has been welcomed in by other high-profile WAGs. Martins and Nani, who both come from humble beginnings try not to let their fortune determine they're lifestyle though. Martins explained their mindset in a recent interview: "We often say to each other, 'Don't spend too much, be careful!...I had to persuade Nani to get his white Lamborghini. He needed a new car and fell in love with it—it's a limited edition and was expensive (£150K). But he felt bad spending so much. He works hard for what he has though, so I told him he deserved a treat!" Hell of a life.
Shakira
WIFEY OF: Gerard Pique, Barcelona
COMPLEX SAYS: After months of being spotted out together, this couple still attempted to keep their relationship on the low. It was actually Barca's coach, Pep Guardiola, who confirmed the couple's relationship, he had concerns that the speculation would be a distraction and asked Pique to go public with it in February. Since then, the Colombian songstress has been spotted getting very emotional at Barca matches. No clue why Pique tried to keep this on the DL, if Shakira hit us up we'd be down...whenever, wherever.
Imogen Thomas
WIFEY OF: Ryan Giggs, Manchester United
COMPLEX SAYS: This week, Imogen Thomas is the most-talked about soccer WAG and she's not even the wife or publicly-acknowledged girlfriend of any players. She's just Ryan Giggs' sidepiece. Man U's veteran left-winger anonymously took out a gag order or "super-injuction" in an attempt to to prevent the press form reporting the affair. Homie has even gone as far as suing Twitter for letting his name get out there. FOH on trying to censor the press and social networks, but we can't blame dude for getting with Thomas. This is his wife, now look above at the pics of Ms. Thomas. #nuffsaid #playonplaya
