The A-List of Real and Worthy WAGs

The World Cup has been over for almost a week but the euphoria on the part of España certainly hasn’t died down yet. The whole world especially Spain and Netherlands were certainly glued to the World Cup. But, aside from Iker Casillas and the great moves of Xabi Alonso, Xavi, David Villa, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres lying down the field due to his injury, the world was also looking at the WAGs, wives and girlfriends of high-profile football players. The acronym WAGs was first used by the British tabloid to describe the wives and girlfriends of the England national football team. It became common use in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and has since then became a word that has become notorious, with some loving it while others didn’t want any association with it. A typical WAG stereotype would be: a model or a beauty queen, has a shopping obsession, has figured in a public fight, has her own fragrance and is a party girl, and most especially, they have their husband or boyfriends’ money to spend, spend and spend.

Beyond the notoriety, there are still some who remain low-profile despite being the wives of world renowned football players. Low-profile in this case does not mean not being in the limelight because that would be hard for them to do especially with the hounding paparazzi. But there are a few who do not court publicity but remain simply a supportive wife to their famous football player husband.

One cannot discount that this list can also be named as the most beautiful WAGs, since they really are beautiful. But more than that, this is a list of beautiful but simple WAGs, the real A-list.

Olalla Domínguez Liste is the wife of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres. They have known each other since they were kids and have been together as a couple for almost 9 years until they got married in a very simple wedding ceremony and now have a daughter named Nora. Despite being one of the richest and highest paid footballer, Torres has remained low-key and down to earth simply because of his family and especially his childhood sweetheart. While going out, she is almost always in casual attire, in a simple sleeveless tee in shocking pink or white while he is in black or white t-shirt and both are in blue jeans.

Her close friend Patricia Gonzalez, wife of David Villa, named her first daughter Olaya after Olalla Dominguez Liste. That kind of closeness is not that often seen in high-profile people but then though these football players can get any woman they want they still married their childhood sweethearts. One wouldn’t see them much with WAGS but most often with their husbands who are as simple as them. Even when they go out, David would be in basic t-shirt and tattered blue jeans while Patricia in black camp shirt and white pants.

Gertrude Kuyt is the wife of Dirk Kuyt, the Dutch footballer who plays for Liverpool. Unlike other WAGs, Gertrude has a down-to-earth attitude that has endeared her to the Dutch media. Being married to a high-earning husband did not stop her from working as a nurse in a home for the old people. Together with her husband, they continue with charitable works including setting up a foundation to help disadvantaged children in Netherlands and the Third World.

Mamen Sanz is the wife of Real Madrid’s captain Raul Gonzales. She is a model and placed second in the Supermodel of the World in 1997. They have 5 children, 4 boys and 1 girl, and seem to live a really simple and happy family life. She is one of the classiest WAG simply because she really is not a stereo-type member of the WAG.

Carly Zucker recently married British soccer player Joe Cole and tries to keep a low-profile. She is a personal trainer with washboard abs. Although fashionable in her sexy dresses, she is more comfortable and often seen in her tracksuit or a short tee shirt that shows the rock-hard abs and blue jeans.

Joanna Taylor is married to British soccer player Danny Murphy. She is an actress who has starred on British soaps. A cop drama and an American dream. She has also tried writing and even now has a recurring column called the Footballer’s Wife. The rest of her time she spends flying below the radar of scandal or controversy.

Sylvie Van der Vaart, wife of Dutch football player of Real Madrid Rafael Van der Vaart, is a Dutch television personality and model even before she met Rafael. Because of their individual careers they are considered the most powerful “soccer couple” in Netherlands. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 but had undergone surgery and has finished post-op chemotherapy. Every now and then, she works as a judge for talents shows, or as a host for the German reality talent show.

All the names mentioned above have a better hold on these prominent footballers as they are really wives, and not just girlfriends. The next name is not only a girlfriend but also one of the youngest ones. She doesn’t want to be called a WAG and really doesn’t like the WAG lifestyle. She is Melanie Slade, the 21 year old girlfriend of British soccer player Theo Walcott, a full-time physiotherapy student. She was recently gifted with a £140,000 Ferrari by Walcott but turned it down saying it was too flashy to drive around the university. She was also embarrassed because she knew some students struggle to have enough money to eat so she didn’t want to drive the Ferrari. She is more into charity work and has designed a vest for the Cancer Research UK Race for Life 2010. Although she is the new face of maritime fashion brand Helly Hansen of which she is a fan, she is more comfortable in her casual wear such as a simple top, a cardigan, leggings and a leather thigh-high boots.

This list shows us that despite the notoriety of their world, there are still those who can remain grounded, especially with these real and worthy women beside them.