HECTOR BELLERIN

What makes a ‘cool’ footballer in 2019? Is it how they carry themselves on the pitch? Or maybe it’s the way they dress – a sign of wealth and status. Some would say ‘cool’ is a refreshing attitude; projecting individuality by refusing to hide interests in non-footballing matters. Well, Hector Bellerin is all of the above. The 24-year-old, who moved to London from Catalonia when he was 16, has made quite an impression, and not just in football.

As an outspoken vegan with a unique dress sense and vocal left-leaning sensibilities, Bellerin isn’t for everyone. North London’s swishest full-back has intrigued and annoyed supporters in equal measure across the globe, especially – and inevitably – on social media.

But as the Arsenal man explained in a recent interview with Mundial, he was shaped in a house of fashion: “My grandmother had made clothes my whole life, my mum followed her, and at home there were just materials and fabrics everywhere.” Plenty have suggested that Bellerin’s ‘obsession’ with clothing and fashion detracts from his love or dedication to his job, but the fashionista footballer rejects that idea.

“I don’t believe there’s a footballer out there who only thinks about football,” the Spaniard claimed. “I just don’t believe it. People have different passions, hobbies, lives outside their job, and nowadays it seems like the only thing we’re allowed to do is train and play football.”

He’s not wrong. Bellerin has engaged with the fashion industry in a way not seen since David Beckham. In 2018 he was strutting the catwalk at London Fashion Week in a pair of black Gucci slippers lined with lambs’ wool, and gold pyjamas from Zimmermann, who traditionally stock only women’s and children’s garb. He returned this year to take a front-row seat at the Christopher Raeburn show. “I know that a lot of people who support football teams don’t care about fashion,” Bellerin admitted to Vogue. “For them, it can be quite weird to see someone looking very different”. But, like the rock stars of the past 50 years, the Gunners’ right-back doesn’t care how he’s received; he likes how he looks and doesn’t apologise for it.

Instead, he focuses on genuinely important issues. In 2018, Bellerin became the first ever Arsenal player – and active Premier League player – to give a talk at Oxford Union. Catalan independence, leaving his family, differences between the Gunners and Barcelona and his long-term career goals were all eloquently discussed. He addressed depression in sport – an issue that’s become particularly poignant in the past 12 months. A growing number of footballers are voicing concerns about the lack of opportunities once their playing days come to an unavoidable conclusion. Bellerin is prepared. During his injury layoff, he completed his marketing diploma and then set up a marketing agency with his housemate. “I was taught that the most important thing is education,” said the full-back. “You need a backup plan.” The message? Trying is cool. For Bellerin, it seems effortless.

Mental health, the environment, world leaders, abortion law – Bellerin speaks out on all of these issues. He embodies the sentiment of a younger generation. The Arsenal defender explained, “I know it’s very comfortable to sit at home with your family, kids and friends and not worry about anything, but with the platform we have, we should be the people who scream at social issues and put them out there, so as a society we can move forward.”

Bellerin, who has openly criticised a lack of representation for young people in politics, is a voice of a generation. At a time of political unrest and disillusioned voters, he can cut through the noise and offers an alternative to the mainstream. Bellerin may be different, but in 2019, when the majority of footballers have become tracksuited PR robots, different is cool.

AT A TIME OF UNREST, BELLERIN EMBODIES THE SENTIMENT OF A YOUNGER GENERATION