The 5 Soccer Players with the Best Physiques

[MuscleMecca Crew]

Cristiano Ronaldo

Soccer players are in a curious position when it comes to working out. Elite players need to be super fit and strong, of course, but they can be hampered when it comes to carrying too much muscle weight. They need to be quick, limber, and supple, so some weight-training programs have to be tailored to help them reach their goals.

Of course, not every soccer player needs to be a muscle-bound goliath. Players like Lionel Messi and Bruno Fernandes are noticeably slight in their builds, although they have core strength. That said, there are some soccer players whose physiques stand out and help them conquer the game. Below, we look at five of the most notable:



Cristiano Ronaldo

Arguably the best-known player in the world for his chiseled abs. Ronaldo is a freak (we use that term politely), always demanding more from his body. At his age, he probably should be retired, yet he keeps himself super fit and that has led to his longevity on the pitch. His training is based on intensive gym work, plyometrics, sprint training, and a strict diet. Obviously, it’s his mentality, too, that keeps him on the edge.



Adama Traore

Perhaps not the best-known soccer player, but Traore is a remarkable athlete, one who wouldn’t look out of place in a body-building competition. The winger uses his pace and strength to terrorize opponents. When he is on his game, there is simply nothing you can do to stop Traore when he’s running at you with the ball. One area that is interesting about Traore is his focus on upper body strength, something that most soccer players do not give priority to. He’s fast, but seeing him go shoulder-to-shoulder with other players is fascinating.




Adama Traore (left)

Erling Haaland

At almost 2m tall, Haaland combines height with strength on the soccer pitch. Like Traore, he outmuscles opponents. His game is unique as he rarely touches the ball, but he is deadly effective. He is the hot favorite in the Premier League odds to be top scorer once again, and that’s no surprise as he is a goal machine. His workout program over the summer went viral, as he was sent by his father to chop wood in his native Norway. Echoes of Rocky IV.




Erling Haaland

Virgil Van Dijk

Van Dijk is tall – a towering defender – and it is thus the case that it is sometimes under-remarked how muscular he is. His training focus is on strength, and it includes a lot of resistance work, but he is also somewhat rangy, which helps him remain lightning-quick. In fact, it is amazing to see such a big man run at his speed. It’s been a key aspect of Liverpool’s success in recent years.



Virgil Van Dijk.

Antonio Rudiger

A huge presence in defense for Real Madrid and Germany, Rudiger is one of the strongest soccer players around. Other players, such as Romelu Lukaku, match his size and physique, but Rudiger keeps himself limber, allowing him to add speed to his aggressive style of play. As with Van Dijk, Rudiger focuses on resistance and endurance training.





Antonio Rudiger