Soccer Star Players and their Wives to Watch During 2016 Copa America - Messi, Rodriguez, Dempsey, Suarez and More!
International events such as the 2016 Copa America present opportunities for those veteran and star players to broaden their fan base and extend their brand appeal which in return helps them increase their overall marketing value. Here is a look at the star players from several teams in addition to their wives and girlfriends that grace their couple life and are receiving attention in light of this Copa America.
Clint Dempsey and Wife Bethany Dempsey - USA
At age 33, Clint Dempsey is one of the most celebrated soccer players from the U.S. men's national soccer team. In addition to being the first American to ever play in a major European final (Fulham vs. Atletico Madrid in '09 - '10), Dempsey is second on the list for most goals scored (48) for Team USA. He currently plays for the Seattle Founders FC.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Wife Bethany Dempsey is perhaps most known publicly for her participation in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photo-shoot in 2010. Clint and Bethany have four children.
James Rodriguez and Wife Daniela Ospina
The 24 year-old Colombian star James Rodriguez married Daniela Ospina in 2010. They met via Daniela's brother David Ospina who plays goalkeeper for Arsenal. James Rodriguez plays attacking midfielder for Spanish juggernaut Real Madrid while his wife plays competitive volleyball in Madrid called Real Madrid as well. They both sport no. 10 jerseys.
Willian and Wife Vanessa Martins - Brazil
No. 22 Willian Borges da Silva is a winger for Chelsea and one of the stars in the Brazilian national soccer team. At age 27, Willian started his career in fan favorite Corinthians before joining Ukraine's FC Shakhtar in Donetsk. He would eventually play for Chelsea in 2013 and help the team become English champions during the 2014-2015 season.
Wife Vanessa Martins is reportedly a lawyer by profession who dated Willian for 4 years before tying the knot. She is currently 33 years old. They have two daughters Valentina and Manuella who are twins.
Javier "Chicharrito" Hernandez and Girlfriend Lucia Villalon - Mexico
Bayer Leverkusen's no. 7, Javier "Chicharrito" Hernandez, has had a successful career so far playing for renown teams such as Manchester United and Real Madrid before landing in his current team. The striker was the first ever Mexican to play for Manchester United, a team he joined in 2010. He is reportedly dating Lucia Villalon, a Spanish sports reporter and rumors have it that they may be thinking of a wedding after what may seem to have been engagement.
Luis Suarez and Wife Sofia Balbi - Uruguay
No. 9 for Barcelona is surely considered one of (if not) the best soccer players to ever grace the Uruguayan jersey. Suarez is the on the list with most goals scored for his national soccer team and at the ripe age of 29, he has played for international teams such as Ajax, Liverpool before joining Messi and Neymar in Barcelona. His
Suarez and current wife Sofia Balbi met when Balbi was just 13 years old. Suarez shared upon meeting Balbi, "[She] help me realize how important football was for me." They currently have two children - Defina and Benjamin.
Lionel Messi and Wife Antonella Roccuzzo - Argentina
Barcelona's undisputed star and fan favorite Leo Messi met his wife Antonella Roccuzzo before ever becoming a soccer star. At the young age of 5, Messi met Roccuzzo through cousin Lucas Scaglia who was Messi's friend at their hometown of Rosario. Roccuzzo studied nutrition and social communication. They have a two sons, Thiago an Mateo.
