WAGs? No, they’re Gatas Belissimas*
* That’s what Brazilians call England’s World Cup girlfriends (it’s slang for ‘hot cats’). And the new line-up look as if they’ve been in training for this moment their entire lives
WITH a new generation of England players comes a new generation of WAGs, or Gatas Belissimas, as they call them in Brazil. That’s Portuguese slang for ‘hot cats’.
Despite concerns they might prove distracting to Rooney and Co, many of the footballers’ wives and girlfriends are likely to find Rio irresistible.
Expect to see plentiful pictures of World Cup beauties on Copacabana Beach – even if their young lions are likely to be elsewhere.
For, while he is more tolerant of WAGs than predecessor Fabio Capello, England boss Roy Hodgson has warned players their spare time is limited.
The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that Roy’s Boys include 20-year-old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley. His girlfriend, Faye Ayers, was only 12 when Coleen Rooney, Alex Gerrard, Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole hit Germany for the 2006 World Cup.
At 20, Faye is the youngest of the current WAGs but may well replace Coleen, 28, as their unofficial queen, having won the Miss Liverpool title and starred in Hollyoaks.
Until a few days ago it was thought catwalk model Jourdan Dunn, 23, would be joining the Rio party, but her romance with 24-year-old Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge seems to have foundered after he was seen on a Florida beach with someone else.
However, Apprentice winner Leah Totton, 26, may be Brazilbound after rekindling her romance with Celtic goalie Fraser Forster, 26.
Sam Cooke, the girlfriend of Manchester United’s Chris Smalling, 24, was crowned ‘Best Boobs in Britain’ in 2006, but last year gave up modelling for photography and DJing. The 28-year-old is set to be joined in Rio by business student Kaya Hall, 22, sweetheart of Manchester United’s Phil Jones, 22.
Meanwhile, dedicated Southampton captain Adam Lallana, 26, brought forward his wedding to 25-year-old Emily Jubb by six months to Christmas Eve to avoid a clash with the cup.
Along with Coleen, Alex Gerrard is the only other 2006 WAG with a partner still on the team, but she is unlikely to travel as husband Steven finds having family close a distraction. Other prominent WAGs will include goalkeeper Joe Hart’s beautician partner Kimberly Crew, 30, and Lauren Neal, girlfriend of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.
The squad are due to fly to Miami on June 1 for their warm-up matches.
‘In Miami, we have… suggested to the players that their wives could come for the later part of the stay,’ said Hodgson.
‘When it comes to Brazil, we haven’t made any hard-andfast rules. It will be up to the players to decide.’