){kind=small}
Serie A){kind=small}
NAP
){kind=logo}
CGL
){kind=small}
COMO
){kind=small}
INT
){kind=small}
LaLiga){kind=logo}
BET
){kind=logo}
VAL
){kind=logo}
RMA
){kind=small}
RSO
){kind=logo}
BOL
){kind=logo}
GEN
){kind=logo}
LEG
){kind=small}
VLL
){kind=logo}
ESP
){kind=logo}
LAS
){kind=small}
MIL
){kind=small}
MON
){kind=logo}
ALA
){kind=small}
OSA
){kind=logo}
GET
){kind=logo}
CEL
){kind=small}
RAY
){kind=logo}
MLL
){kind=small}
GIR
){kind=small}
ATM
){kind=logo}
VIL
){kind=logo}
SEV
){kind=small}
Premier){kind=logo}
FUL
){kind=small}
MCI
){kind=small}
LIV
){kind=small}
CRY
){kind=small}
BOU
){kind=logo}
LEI
){kind=logo}
IPS
){kind=small}
WHU
){kind=logo}
NFO
){kind=logo}
CHE
){kind=logo}
NEW
){kind=logo}
EVE
){kind=logo}
MUN
){kind=small}
AVL
)
From homeless to unrecognisable, Pulse Sports highlights the hilarious and surprising lengths football superstars like Ronaldo and Messi went to disguise themselves in public.
Although global superstardom brings immense privilege, it also creates invisible barriers, making simple, everyday experiences a challenge.
The constant glare of the public eye can be overwhelming, taking away the anonymity most people take for granted.
It is not surprising that sometimes these icons attempt to slip behind a mask. Driven by several motivations, footballers occasionally resort to disguises to navigate the public sphere.
)
09:38 - 01.05.2025
Marcus Rashford Pushes for Shock Exit as ‘Dream’ Move Nears Completion
Marcus Rashford eyes Barcelona move, willing to take pay cut, but Manchester United's £50m asking price could block transfer.
)
10:29 - 01.05.2025
Chelsea Coach Enzo Maresca On Why Costly Squad Will Not Save Them For Conference League Exit
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has opened up on why Chelsea will need more than just their flashy, billion-dollar squad to overcome their Swedish opponents.
PAY ATTENTION: Check out Bet of the Day page - we provide expert tips
In this article, Pulse Sports will explore seven instances where football superstars, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, wore disguises.
Cristiano Ronaldo
)
In 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo embarked on a daring public experiment. The then-Real Madrid star decided to take to the bustling streets of Madrid, not as a global icon, but as someone easily overlooked: a homeless man.
This was not a half-hearted attempt with just a hat and sunglasses; however, the transformation was profound, involving a padded suit to alter his physique, a scruffy wig and beard and oversized sunglasses.
Complete with a dog companion, he settled into Madrid's Plaza del Callao.
For over 45 minutes, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner performed freestyle football tricks, attempted audacious nutmegs on pensioners, passed the ball with passersby, and even playfully asked a young woman for her phone number, only to be politely refused.
Initially, he was met with the very indifference his disguise aimed to replicate; people walked past, largely ignoring the skilled 'vagabond'.
The turning point came when a young boy named Nicholas, undeterred by the shabby appearance, started interacting and playing football with the disguised star.
After sharing a few moments of play, Ronaldo dramatically revealed his true identity while signing the football for the astonished child.
Nicholas's reaction was described as priceless, and the previously indifferent plaza instantly erupted as onlookers scrambled for their phones, a crowd forming in seconds.
Cristiano Ronaldo
During an interview with Piers Morgan in 2019, Cristiano Ronaldo recounted a particularly memorable New Year's Eve escapade.
According to the Portuguese star, Ronaldo and his friend Ricardo decided to go out on New Year’s Eve, leading to them wearing disguises.
Both men opted for disguises aiming for a rockstar vibe: a wig, a moustache, a jacket and glasses. Their destination was a rooftop bar at a hotel in central Madrid.
)
Initially, the plan seemed to work. In the lift, fellow passengers eyed them curiously, wondering who they were.
To maintain the facade, Ronaldo instructed Ricardo that they must speak only English.
However, the charade crumbled at the bar with a single slip-up. The then-Real Madrid star asked his friend in their native Portuguese, "Ricky, what do you want to drink?".
Almost immediately, a man behind them whispered, "Cristiano, I know it's you".
Ronaldo described his irritation as the man alerted everyone, turning all eyes in the club towards him.
Despite the cover being blown, they did not immediately flee.
Ronaldo and Ricardo stayed for two to three hours before heading home.
Lionel Messi
)
If Cristiano Ronaldo's experiences reflect the elaborate lengths some stars go to, Lionel Messi's attempt at Disneyland Paris disguise highlights the near impossibility of escape for football's most popular players.
Messi and Ronaldo were on-pitch rivals for years, but they share similarities in seeking away from the spotlight.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's motivation for going undercover was a simple desire for alone time with his family, specifically his partner Antonella Roccuzzo and their children, Thiago and Mateo, during a trip to the famous theme park.
Hoping to avoid the usual fan frenzy that surrounds his public appearances, Messi opted for a relatively low-key disguise during a visit in March 2017.
He donned a heavy hoodie pulled up, a cap, and large sunglasses, aiming to look unrecognisable.
However, his attempt at anonymity was spectacularly short-lived. According to reports, he was detected in seconds.
The moment one eagle-eyed fan spotted the Argentinian maestro, it was over. Instead of enjoying the magic of Disney with his family, Messi found himself posing for photos for almost the entire outing.
Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi
)
Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi tried a team effort at anonymity in New York in January 2023.
Having been spotted and greeted enthusiastically at a Brooklyn Nets NBA game just days earlier, the duo opted for a more robust approach to disguise for a night out in Manhattan.
Both players wore hoodies, but crucially, they also donned full face masks — Mbappe reportedly in white, Hakimi in black — rendering them barely recognisable.
The look even drew comparisons to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from amused fans online.
Their disguises proved effective, as they successfully blended into the thronging crowds, anonymously enjoying the street entertainment alongside countless others.
People stood right next to them, completely unaware they were in the presence of two of football's biggest stars.
Nevertheless, while they enjoyed their temporary freedom, security personnel remained discreetly nearby, ready to intervene should their cover be blown.
Franck Ribery, David Alaba and Rafinha
)
While some players use disguises seeking privacy, others do it purely for the fun of the prank.
A classic example involved Bayern Munich teammates Franck Ribery, David Alaba and Rafinha during their time playing together for the German giants.
Seeking a few laughs, possibly during a Bundesliga winter break, the trio decided to visit a local park disguised as ordinary individuals.
Their transformation involved costumes and possibly altered hairstyles, making them almost unrecognisable.
)
Initially, the Bayern stars deliberately played poorly, pretending to be terrible at football and enduring taunts from their unsuspecting opponents and the gathering crowd of spectators.
Then, suddenly, they turned the switch on, and the trio began showcasing their world-class abilities, showing their superior technical skill.
After a few minutes of demonstrating their true prowess and leaving no doubt that they were professionals, the players revealed their identities.
The realisation dawned on the crowd and the young opponents, leading to amusement and understanding.
Dimitar Berbatov
)
Dimitar Berbatov once participated in such a prank for the popular YouTube channel "Shoot for Love".
The premise involved transforming the former Premier League Golden Boot winner into an elderly gentleman.
Through what appeared to be elaborate makeup and costuming, Berbatov adopted the persona of an old man.
In this guise, he joined a local seven-a-side football match, likely playing into the frailties expected of his character initially.
Instead of fumbling when he began to play, the Bulgarian started showcasing his sublime skill instead.
The culmination was the reveal, where Berbatov shed his disguise, unveiling the former Premier League forward.
The reactions highlighted everyone’s astonishment and admiration.
Robbie Savage
Perhaps one of the most elaborate disguise stories involves Robbie Savage, the energetic former Premier League midfielder and well-known pundit.
Savage agreed to participate in a segment for the BBC's 'The One Show' aimed at celebrating grassroots football.
The plan involved him secretly playing for Bradley Park, his childhood club, in a Wrexham Sunday League Division Two fixture against The Turf FC.
To ensure secrecy, the production employed a high level of professional disguise.
A makeup crew arrived early on Sunday morning to fit Savage with a convincing prosthetic mask, complete with a wig and beard.
Under this elaborate cover, the former midfielder played the entire match, even showcasing a glimpse of his professional past by scoring with a 30-yard free-kick, even if Bradley Park ultimately lost the game 6-3.
The real drama unfolded after the final whistle. Savage removed his disguise, revealing his true identity to the stunned players of The Turf FC.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)