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When the World Cup's biggest stars aren't chasing glory on the field, they're at home chasing their dogs around, just like any ordinary pet owner.
Connecting with soccer's elite can feel nearly impossible. The planet's finest players are extraordinary under the floodlights—delivering perfectly-timed tackles in the penalty area, orchestrating attacks from the center of the park, or unleashing thunderous shots into the back of the net.
For 90 minutes, they seem untouchable, so far removed from everyday life that any comparison feels absurd. Yet in the quiet moments away from the game—when the world's top players are walking their dogs along Merseyside or playing fetch in their Brazilian backyards—they suddenly feel more relatable than ever.
Whether it's keeping their owners active, helping them decompress, or simply offering unwavering companionship, dogs hold a special place in the lives of World Cup stars, all of whom are chasing the most coveted prize in football.
Meet the four-legged companions of six players competing at this summer's marquee event—and don't say we didn't warn you if you walk away with a sudden urge to adopt a pup.
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Neymar (Brazil)
Poker 🐶 pic.twitter.com/0ZAjI925xL
Brazilian icon Neymar is living the dream on multiple fronts. Not only did the Barcelona legend earn his call-up to represent the Seleção at this summer's tournament, but he also has three stunning golden retrievers waiting for him at home.
Neymar gave his three furry companions the names Poker, Truco, and Flush. The Brazilian has a deep passion for poker, having competed at events for the better part of a decade during his downtime away from football. It comes as little surprise that two of his dogs carry the names Poker and Flush.
Truco, meanwhile, takes its name from a beloved Brazilian card game, staying true to the theme with just a slight twist.
The golden retrievers have carved out their own corner of social media fame, regularly going viral whenever Neymar posts new photos or clips with fans—particularly when a ball is involved. The dogs love bounding after their owner, whose pace and dazzling footwork, even at 34, leaves them trailing behind.
If only World Cup defenders were so easily left behind.
Harry Kane (England)
England skipper Harry Kane shares his home with two Labrador retrievers named Brady and Wilson. NFL enthusiasts might instantly draw a connection to two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks: Tom Brady and Russell Wilson.
Though only Brady is genuinely named in honor of the New England Patriots legend. Kane is a devoted fan of the AFC East powerhouse and even had the chance to meet Brady in person following the Patriots' Super Bowl LIII victory in 2019.
Wilson's name, however, is purely coincidental and carries no real link to the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback.
Beyond being beloved family members, Kane has also spoken openly about the positive effect his dogs have on his mental wellbeing.
"I love my dogs and I'm very fortunate to have an amazing dog walk route close to home where I can go for a stroll and clear my mind," the striker shared on Instagram. "It's always good to see them off the lead and enjoying themselves and it gives me time to reset regardless of what's been happening.
"Being active is part of my daily routine as you'd expect but it's the dog walk which I find so good for a mental recharge!"
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
It feels entirely fitting that Argentina captain Lionel Messi—the undisputed headline act of the 2026 World Cup—owns one of the most imposing dog breeds around: a French mastiff. It's equally appropriate that he and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo chose to name him Hulk.
A fully grown male French mastiff typically tips the scales at over 110 pounds and stands 27 inches tall. Now picture Messi, a player of smaller stature, alongside such a formidable animal on a walk, by the pool, or lounging around the house. Even so, the two make a perfect pair—both are one of a kind.
Messi has previously revealed that his son Ciro shares the closest bond with Hulk. Each morning, Ciro would make a point of greeting the dog first thing, spending time with him in the early hours—and repeating the ritual before going to bed.
Messi welcomed Hulk into the family back in 2016, during his time at Barcelona. In the years that followed, the dog likely visited more countries than most people ever will. Unfortunately, Hulk did not make the journey to south Florida when Messi signed with Inter Miami.
Messi explained that given the dog's age, a transcontinental relocation would have placed too great a strain on him. Hulk continues to live in Barcelona, where Messi and his family visit whenever they can.
Pedri (Spain)
Nilo y yo 🐾❤️ pic.twitter.com/evTfQZxt52
Spain's midfield maestro Pedri is a relatively recent addition to the dog-owner club. The Barcelona star took in an abandoned puppy in 2024 and gave him the name Nilo.
Pedri revealed he discovered the tiny black bundle of fur discarded in the trash and stepped in to rescue him, eventually making the adoption official. Over the past two years, Nilo has transformed from a timid little pup into an energetic, medium-sized dog who loves nothing more than a game of fetch in the Spaniard's backyard.
Nilo is a mixed-breed, though his precise heritage remains a mystery given the circumstances of his early life. When Pedri found him, the pup was barely a month old—but thanks to the midfielder's intervention, Nilo is now thriving.
Bernardo Silva (Portugal)
There was something almost poetic about Portugal veteran Bernardo Silva departing Manchester City at the same time as John Stones. After all, the midfielder's French bulldog happens to share a name with his long-time teammate.
That's right. As if the two didn't already spend enough time together on the pitch, Silva wanted a John Stones at home too—except this one comes with four legs.
Silva explained his playful decision to Sky Sports: "I really liked the name, I really liked [Stones's name] and I said one day, if I have a dog, I'm going to name it after him."
He stayed true to his word, with his wife Inês Tomaz happily on board.
The couple expanded their furry family in 2022 with a chocolate-coated dog named Charles, a nod to King Charles. Silva shared that he acquired the dog from Wales and drew the connection to the then-Prince Charles of Wales.
Silva clearly drew inspiration from very different sources for each of his dogs—not unlike the contrasting styles he and Stones brought to the pitch together.
Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Germany's attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz is rarely spotted around Cheshire, where he has settled, without his cherished border collie Zoomer by his side. In fact, the two are practically inseparable. Just scroll through his recent Instagram collaboration—Zoomer's paw prints are stamped all over it.
Wirtz has said his ideal day off begins with a hearty breakfast and a leisurely walk with his dog, before heading into Liverpool or down to the beach. The 23-year-old is intentional about guarding his downtime, especially with such a major tournament on the horizon, and Zoomer plays a central role in helping him decompress and stay mentally sharp.
Occasionally, those walks demand a little extra effort from Wirtz, when Zoomer decides he'd rather be carried than walk. Who needs the gym, anyway?
