When Football Stars Become Art Lovers

Hobbies of Our Favorite Athletes

We might think that the hobbies of our favorite sports stars are all about things like cars or buying houses. For example:

• Alexia Putellas (player for London City Lionesses) has bought property.
• Iker Casillas (the unforgettable goalkeeper of the Spanish National Team) has also bought property.

But guess what? Among the top elite of football (soccer), there is also a group of true fans of contemporary art (modern art made recently).

Sergio Ramos: The Surprising Art Fan

The case of Sergio Ramos is probably the most surprising of all. This footballer and businessman from Seville keeps a close relationship with the art world. Many times, he has shared some of his art buys, such as:

• "Ciegos que guían a ciegos" by Manuel León Moreno
• Pieces by artists like Jaume Plensa
• Works by Banksy (a famous mystery street artist)

During his visit to the TV show El Hormiguero in 2019, the then-captain of Real Madrid explained this passion he shares with Pilar Rubio (his wife) by saying:
"We are very linked to the art world, because there is no better way to invest than in art or culture."

Important Point: Sergio Ramos believes buying art is one of the best ways to invest your money.

One cool piece in his big collection is ‘Lineage of Continuum’ by artist Phil Frost. It is:

• A 3D two-panel artwork (called a diptych)
• 3 meters tall (about 9.8 feet) and over 4 meters wide (about 13 feet)
• Made with weird materials like cans, nails, and a gasoline pump

Ramos added this work to his collection in 2019 after studying it for months and even talking on the phone with Frost to learn about it.

‘Lineage of Continuum’ de Phil Frost. Foto: Lopez de la Serna

His Favorite Piece: A Giant Bull

Even with all his art, one of Sergio Ramos’s favorite pieces is always ‘El espejo en que te miras, te dirá como tú eres…’ (which means "The mirror in which you look will tell you how you are…") by Manuel León, another artist from Seville.

It is another big painting. Ramos showed it during the 2020 lockdown (when people had to stay home) and called it "one of my preferred works."

‘El espejo en que te miras, te dirá como tú eres…’ de Manuel León. Foto: Manuel León

Art Collecting Among Football Elite

Besides Sergio Ramos (a key player on the Spanish National Team that won the World Cup in 2010), other footballers have said they love art too:

• The Beckham family — they have been gifting each other art pieces since the early 2000s.
• Leo Messi — one of the stars of the 2026 World Cup.

So, sport, art, and culture seem more connected than ever!

Important Point: Football stars like Ramos, the Beckhams, and Messi show that soccer and art go hand in hand.

Summary

To sum it up:

• Famous footballers have many hobbies, from houses to art.
• Sergio Ramos is a big surprise as a contemporary art collector.
• He owns works by Banksy, Jaume Plensa, Phil Frost, and Manuel León.
• His favorite piece is a large bull-themed painting by Manuel León.
• Other stars like the Beckhams and Messi also love art.
• Ramos thinks art is a smart way to invest.

FAQ

1. Who is Sergio Ramos?
He is a Spanish footballer and businessman from Seville who used to captain Real Madrid and played on the 2010 World Cup-winning Spanish team. He also collects modern art.

2. What is ‘Lineage of Continuum’?
It is a giant 3D artwork by Phil Frost that Sergio Ramos bought in 2019. It uses everyday objects like cans and nails and is over 3 meters tall.

3. Why does Ramos like buying art?
He says there is no better way to invest money than in art or culture, and he is closely tied to the art world with his wife Pilar Rubio.

4. Which other football people collect art?
The Beckham family (gifting art since the 2000s) and Leo Messi are also known to be into art and culture.