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Braschler & Fischer: The real faces of football

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Captured just moments after the final whistle, a galaxy of the world’s biggest stars pose for a remarkable set of portraits taken by Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer.

From Zidane to Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic to Figo, with a dash of  Beckham thrown in, 30 of football’s greatest names feature in an extraordinary photographic album, Faces Of Football 2006.

Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid, Faces of Football
French midfielder Zinédine Zidane (33), after Real Madrid drew with Real Betis, 0-0. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer
Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Faces of Football
Brazilian striker Ronaldo (29), after Real Madrid beat Deportivo Alavés 3-0. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer

Acclaimed Swiss portrait photographers Mathias Braschler and Monika Fischer singled out some of the greatest names on the planet for their book, as they set about trying to capture all the emotions laid bare in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle.

The work is honoured with the highest accolade in photography as the planning and technical expertise behind the portraits lands prestigious World Press Photo Award.

“Emotions are the essence of football,” say the duo as their project took them around the globe in search of the game’s biggest stars.

Didier Drogba, Chelsea, Faces of Football
Ivorian striker Didier Drogba (28), after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Portsmouth. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer
Carlos Puyol, Barcelona, Faces of Football
Spanish defender Carles Puyol (28), after FC Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 5-0. Faces of Football. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer

For these extraordinary portraits, the photographers set up a portable studio on the sidelines, its immediacy offering the greatest possible authenticity. A large format camera guaranteed their subjects no hiding place.

“Football is a game rife with dynamics, emotions and unforgettable moments,” they said. “For those involved and the fans, during ninety minutes in which two teams face one another on the field, it means the entire world.

“Players’ faces tell a thousand stories; of victory and defeat, chances missed and moments of pure luck. No drop of sweat or stirring emotions remain hidden”.

David Beckham, Real Madrid, Faces of Football
English midfielder David Beckham (31), after Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Deportivo La Coruña. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United, Faces of Football
English striker Wayne Rooney (20), after Manchester United beat Fulham 4-2. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer

Real Madrid and their own “fantasy football” Galacticos line up from that era presented the pair with some of their greatest names. There was Zinedine Zidane, pictured moments after Los Blancos goalless draw with Real Betis, Ronaldo following a 3-0 win over Deportivo Alaves and David Beckham after an even more convincing 4-0 trouncing of Deportivo La Coruna.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juventus, Faces of Football
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (24), Juventus. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer
Lilian Thuram, Juventus, Faces of Football
French defender Lilian Thuram (33), Juventus. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer
Buffon, Juventus, Faces of Football
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (27), Juventus. Copyright: Braschler / Fischer

Golden Balls Becks is not the only Englishman to make the cut. Wayne Rooney is in there, captured after Manchester United beat Fulham 4-2, Frank Lampard too, while Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba joins the glittering array of world stars, along with FC Schalke’s Gerald Asamoah, Barcelona’s Carles Puyol, and Juventus trio Lilian Thuram, Gianluigi Buffon and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Andriy Shevchenko, and Portugal great Luis Figo make up surely the greatest array of stars ever featured in one publication.

The ultimate Dream Team, brilliantly captured and preserved for all time in Braschler and Fischer’s world acclaimed Faces Of Football 2006.

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