Good Boys: 13 Superstar Footballers Who Really Love Dogs
Lionel Messi starred in a viral video clip with his dog this week, teasing his four-legged friend with a ball as he prepares for the new season with Barcelona.
But he isn't the only famous player with a furry pal in his life.
Here's a look at Messi and 12 other superstar footballers who love dogs...
Hector Bellerin
Image by Jamie Spencer
Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin introduced his new puppy Otto to the world in January 2016.
Daley Blind
Image by Jamie Spencer
After often going on walks around Manchester, Daley Blind's canine pal will have plenty of adventures to look forward to in Amsterdam after his human rejoined Ajax this summer.
Mesut Ozil
Image by Jamie Spencer
Mesut Ozil loves his black Pug Balboa, a dog the 2014 World Cup winner has been known to dress in a number 11 Arsenal shirt. He'll need to get a new one with 10 on instead now.
Marcelo
Image by Jamie Spencer
Real Madrid hero Marcelo has as many as six dogs in his little family. His large black and hairy Newfoundland is called Lola, while he has a Labrador named Nala, and four other smaller doggos called Kiara, Ully, Thaig and Bella.
Aaron Ramsey
Image by Jamie Spencer
Aaron Ramsey's dog is a Beagle called Halo, who loves football just as much as his human.
Alex Morgan
Image by Jamie Spencer
Blue, or Blue Shaquille O'Neal Carrasco to give him his full name, is US women's national team star Alex Morgan's dog, together with husband and LA Galaxy midfielder Servando Carrasco.
James Rodriguez
Image by Jamie Spencer
James Rodriguez has needed a buddy during a couple of difficult years in his career and he has three between his Golden Retriever (pictured), Cocker Spaniel and French Bulldog.
Sergio Ramos
Image by Jamie Spencer
Sergio Ramos has three dogs by the name of Chulo, Lizzy and Jagger. He'll need to get another to redress the balance between dogs and Champions League trophies in the Ramos household.
Neymar
Image by Jamie Spencer
Neymar named his first dog Poker, with the Brazil icon since adding Flush and Truco to his happy and growing family. Can you tell that he loves card games?
Harry Kane
Image by Jamie Spencer
NFL-obsessed Spurs hero Harry Kane named his Labrador pair Brady and Wilson after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson.
David de Gea
Image by Jamie Spencer
David de Gea's chow chow Matxo is a very good dog - happy, big, fluffy and orange, and like a lion. Trust me, he once came up to me while on a walk in the park!
Lionel Messi
Image by Jamie Spencer
Lionel Messi's French Mastiff is massive, so it's little wonder the Barcelona superstar settled on the name Senor Hulk. His size didn't help him get the ball off his human in that viral video clip.
Alexis Sanchez
Image by Jamie Spencer
Atom and Humber are football's most famous dogs, accompanying human Alexis Sanchez everywhere and even having their own excellent Instagram account (@atomhumberoficia1).
