The World Cup's Hottest Dads Are Even Bigger Stars in the Eyes of Their Kids

Soccer dad takes on a whole new meaning every four years. We're not talking about the dads who spend their weekends on the sidelines cheering on their kids. Rather, we've got our eyes on FIFA's biggest stars who are not only charged with earning their countries the coveted World Cup title but with playing Dad to some adorable tots, too. While fans around the world cheer on stars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo, there are a few little voices that rise above the crowd. Read on to see some adorable moments the world's greatest soccer stars shared with their kids. Source: Getty / Richard Heathcote, Instagram user cristiano, and Instagram user neymarjr

01
Luka Modrić — Croatia

Luka Modrić — Croatia

Croatia's talented midfielder, Luka Modrić, is a proud father of two — son Ivano, 4, and daughter Ema, 1. A member of the Real Madrid squad, Modrić is often seen goofing around with his son at a number of sporting events and posting pictures with his kids, like this one from a few weeks ago. Source: Instagram user lukam10

02
Wayne Rooney — England

Wayne Rooney — England

Manchester United's star forward is making a splash playing for England this Summer. Father to Kai, 4, and Klay, 1, Rooney frequently shows off his tots on his Instagram account. On Father's Day, he wrote, "Gutted with the result yesterday but we must believe an stay positive for the games coming up. Happy Fathers Day to all the dads, love being a dad to my two boys!" Source: Instagram user waynerooney

03
Wayne Rooney — England

Wayne Rooney — England

Wayne Rooney showed off another cute photo with his younger son, Klay, last month. Source: Instagram user waynerooney

04
Wayne Rooney — England
Getty | Richard Heathcote

Wayne Rooney — England

05
Luis Suárez — Uruguay

Luis Suárez — Uruguay

Dad of two Luis Suárez is Uruguay's star forward. He shared this sweet picture of his family on Instagram, saying, "Thanks for coming and supporting me as always. You give me more energy than everyone else!! I love you a lot!!"

Proud father of daughter Delfina and son Benjamin, the 27-year-old forward from Uruguay has already had many outings with his special ones. He sported a million-dollar smile each time he made an appearance on the football grounds with his children wearing his team's jerseys.
Source: Instagram user luis16suarez

06
David Villa — Spain

David Villa — Spain

Dad of three David Villa just finished up his soccer career, scoring a goal in Spain's 3-0 win over Australia. Dad to Zaida, Olaya, and Luca, Villa has his three kids' names engraved on his shoes. Source: Instagram user davidvilla

07
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior — Brazil

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior — Brazil

One of the most recognized faces in soccer, Brazil's Neymar is father to 3-year-old David, whom he fondly calls Davi. Only 19 years old when he became a father, Neymar remarked that Davi was "2.8 kilograms of pure happiness." Source: Instagram user neymarjr

08
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior — Brazil

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior — Brazil

09
Clint Dempsey — United States

Clint Dempsey — United States

On Father's Day, Dempsey posted a cute picture with his kids. He and his wife have two daughters, Elyse and Sophia, and one son, Jackson. Source: Instagram user clint_dempsey

10
Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal

The world's most famous — and most highly paid — soccer star, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, is often seen with his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., almost 4. The father-son duo are often seen traveling the world, such as they were here on International Children's Day. Source: Instagram user cristiano

11
Cesc Fàbregas — Spain

Cesc Fàbregas — Spain

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas is playing for his home country of Spain this Summer and taking time out to share photos with his 1-year-old daughter, Lia. Source: Instagram user cescf4bregas

12
Cesc Fàbregas — Spain

Cesc Fàbregas — Spain

Cesc Fàbregas shared, "#BestSelfie Pure happiness! Goodnight!" Source: Instagram user cescf4bregas

13
Lionel Messi — Argentina

Lionel Messi — Argentina

Soccer legend Lionel Messi is never too far from his 1-year-old son, Thiago — he has the boy's name and handprints tattooed on his left calf! The Barcelona star's son is often seen wearing his dad's jersey both on and off the field. Source: Instagram user leomessi

14
Gerard Piqué — Spain

Gerard Piqué — Spain

Shakira's boyfriend, Gerard Piqué, is frequently spotted holding the couple's 1-year-old son, Milan, decked out in his dad's FC Barcelona jersey. Source: Instagram user 3gerardpique

15
Gerard Piqué — Spain

Gerard Piqué — Spain

16
Iker Casillas — Spain

Iker Casillas — Spain

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas's 6-month-old son, Martín, is the star of his dad's Instagram feed. This image of the Real Madrid star holding his son near the trophy has more than 289,000 likes! Source: Instagram user ikercasillasoficial

17
Fernando Gago — Argentina
Getty | JUAN MABROMATA

Fernando Gago — Argentina

Argentinian midfielder Fernando Gago brought his 1-year-old son, Mateo, onto the field for the national anthem before a match against Trinidad and Tobago.

18
Kaká — Brazil
Getty | Jean Catuffe

Kaká — Brazil

Brazilian superstar and Club Milan midfielder Kaká is dad to Luca, 6, and Isabella, 3. Though he isn't playing for his home team this year, Kaká's been seen in the stands, cheering them on, with Luca.

19
Robin van Persie — The Netherlands
Getty | Dean Mouhtaropoulos

Robin van Persie — The Netherlands

Dutch striker and team captain Robin van Persie is dad to a son named Shaqueel and daughter named Dina. Throughout the World Cup, he's been seen playing with his kids during his downtime.

20
Robin van Persie — The Netherlands
Getty | Dean Mouhtaropoulos

Robin van Persie — The Netherlands

21
Faryd Mondragón — Colombia
Getty | Mark Kolbe

Faryd Mondragón — Colombia

Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón is the oldest player to ever play at a World Cup tournament at 43 years old. He celebrated with his son, Lucca, after a match against Japan this week.

22
Marcelo Vieira — Brasil
Getty | Michael Regan

Marcelo Vieira — Brasil

Brazilian left back Marcelo Vieira brought his 4-year-old son, Enzo, on the field to celebrate his team's win last year.

23
Dejan Lovren — Croatia

Dejan Lovren — Croatia

Croation center back Dejan Lovren brought his daughter onto the field. Source: Instagram user dejanlovren5

24
DaMarcus Beasley — United States

DaMarcus Beasley — United States

US winger DaMarcus Beasley recently welcomed a daughter, Lia. He shared a recent FaceTime session with her. Source: Instagram user trickybeas

25
Brad Jones — Australia

Brad Jones — Australia

Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones brought his 2-year-old, Nico, to a game. Source: Instagram user jones_brad

26
Jermaine Jones — United States

Jermaine Jones — United States

US midfielder Jermaine Jones has five children — Keanu, Liya-Joelle, Kenyon, Junius, and Jadee-Mae — two of whom traveled with him to Istanbul earlier this year. Source: Instagram user jermainejunior

27
Nick Rimando — United States

Nick Rimando — United States

US goalie Nick Rimando says leaving his kids, Jett and Benny, is the hardest part of the job! Source: Instagram user nickrimando