What did the athletes who conquered with their charm in the 80s look like?

Beauty is a terrible force, and in sports it is no exception. Charisma and good looks combined with outstanding physical abilities can make a talented athlete the idol of an entire generation. Of course, first of all, the audience pays attention to the skills of athletes, but natural charm also plays an important role. Take, for example, two soccer legends – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Although the former has more “Golden Balls” and a larger sum in the club contract, the Juventus forward overtakes him in popularity on social networks, and advertising fees more than compensate for the difference in salary. The secret is Ronaldo’s perfect physique and “star” appearance, which is followed and will be followed not only by soccer fans.

But there have always been handsome men in world sport. Let’s remember together the most charming athletes of the past. Although they have long since ended their professional careers, in their time thousands of female fans went crazy about them.

Sergei Bubka

Bubka was twice named Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News, and in 2012 he was one of 24 athletes inducted into the International Association of Athletics Federations Hall of Fame. He managed to win six consecutive World Championships, win a gold medal at the Olympics and break the world record in the men’s pole vault 35 times. He was the first jumper to break the height of 6 meters and 6.1 meters.

Because of his athletic physique and attractive appearance, there were many female fans among Sergei’s fans. Girls all over the Soviet Union turned on the broadcasts specifically to admire the athlete.

Franz Beckenbauer

The German defender – an exemplary soccer libero – is still the only player who has been captain at three different clubs. Twice the best player in Europe, he delighted not only spectators but also female spectators.

Like many famous German soccer players, Beckenbauer played most of his career for Bayern Munich.

Franz was married three times. He had five children, one of whom, Stephan Beckenbauer followed in his father’s footsteps and also became a soccer player.

Valery Kharlamov

One of the best hockey players of the USSR, two-time Olympic champion and eight-time world champion. Kharlamov’s small stature was easily compensated for by his reaction speed, sharp mind and excellent technical skills. In 1972 and 1973 he was recognized as the best hockey player in the USSR.

The forward, who was considered very creative and inventive on the ice, also led the team in 1972 in terms of performance. Valeri was a truly gifted hockey player and was able to play at top speed. Not for nothing was he considered one of the best players of his time and one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

Diego Maradona

Maradona is one of the top three soccer players of his time. Many people even today put him above Messi – the idol of our time. After all, the latter has not yet won the World Cup.

Maradona was “handsome” in every sense. He was characterized not only by an outstanding game, but also attractive appearance. The game of the Argentine was like the flight of a butterfly: he so easily and effortlessly handled the ball that caused envy and respect even from rivals in the championship of Spain and Italy. Diego believed that soccer depends primarily on the audience. And to provide a living for himself, his parents and five older sisters, you need to fall in love with as many fans as possible.

Michel Platini

One of the greatest soccer players of all time, Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times – in 1983, 1984 and 1985 – and finished seventh in FIFA’s Player of the Century voting. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1985 for his outstanding achievements in sport and became an Officer of the Order in 1998.

During his career, Platini has played for clubs Nancy, Saint-Etienne and Juventus. He can be recognized by his nickname “Le Roy” (French for “the king”), which is how fans nicknamed Platini for his talent and leadership qualities. He was a key player of the French national team and as part of it won the 1984 European Championship – in this tournament Michel became the top scorer and best player. Together with the national team he reached the semifinals of the World Championships in 1982 and 1986.

Platini set new soccer records in his country. Among other things, he holds the record for the most goals scored at the European Championship – he managed to score nine goals, despite the fact that he only appeared in the winning season of 1984.

Alexander Belov

Belov will forever be remembered by Russian basketball fans thanks to his legendary match against the US team at the 1972 Olympics. He managed to score the winning goal at the last second. Then the Soviet basketball team won the Olympics for the first time.

Later in 1974 Belov won the gold medal at the FIBA World Championship. In 1975, he and his team took second place at the EuroBasket, and in 1976 he won a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics.

In 1991 Alexander was recognized as one of the 50 greatest FIBA players, and in 2007 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.