Move over WAGs, the boys brought Birkins!

Footballers this year are proving that the tunnel has become just as important as the touchline. Forget the days when post-match style meant a mere tracksuit and a duffel. And no, we’re not just talking about the WAGs turning the paddock into a runway. The players are holding their own, one designer handbag at a time.

What started with the likes of Harry Styles, Jacob Elordi and even Pharrell Williams normalising luxury handbags for men has officially made its way into football’s front row. Suddenly, the best Birkin alternatives, and in some cases, actual Hermès grails are slung over the shoulders of the world’s biggest athletes. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s enviable collection of Louis Vuitton and Gucci carryalls to Erling Haaland’s Hermès collection, football fashion is entering a whole new league where the real flex is what’s hanging from your arm!

David Beckham’s Hermès Haut à Courroies

Originally created in 1892 to carry riding boots and saddlery equipment, the Haut à Courroies (HAC) predates the iconic Birkin and Kelly, making it the maison’s oldest handbag silhouette. Beckham’s version is crafted in durable toile canvas, contrasted with rich golden-brown leather trim and finished with palladium hardware, offering a lighter, more relaxed interpretation of the traditionally all-leather design. This toile iteration has been favoured by collectors for its spacious proportions and equestrian heritage, and reflects the growing appeal of quiet luxury.

Erling Haaland’s Hermès HAC 50 “Endless Road”

While Haaland’s Hermes collection deserves a separate story in detail, the Hermès HAC 50 “Endless Road” caught our attention. Often mistakenly referred to as a Birkin, this is one of the French maison’s rarest limited-edition travel bags. Based on the Haut à Courroies (HAC), the original Hermès bag introduced in 1892 and the design that later inspired the Birkin, the Endless Road debuted as part of Hermès Men’s Fall/Winter 2018 collection. It’s crafted using intricate leather marquetry in Togo and Swift leathers and features a striking geometric landscape depicting a winding mountain road illuminated by car headlights against a deep blue night sky. Estimated to be worth around US$45,500 on the resale market, the HAC 50 “Endless Road” has become one of the most talked-about pieces in Haaland’s luxury wardrobe.

Pedro Nato’s Hermes Clemence & Toile H Birkin 40

The Hermès Clemence & Toile H Birkin 40 spotted with Pedro Neto is one of the French house’s most understated yet sought-after travel-ready Birkins that’s coveted for its rarity. Combining supple Taurillon Clémence leather with durable Toile H canvas, the design offers a lighter, more relaxed interpretation of the iconic Birkin The contrast of grained leather, structured canvas panels and polished palladium hardware make it feel equally at home in an airport lounge or as an elevated everyday carry.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Gucci Toiletry Web Case

Cristiano Ronaldo’s luxury bag collection has always made headlines, and one of the standout pieces in his travel lineup is the Gucci Toiletry Web Case. Crafted in Gucci’s signature GG Supreme canvas, the case features the house’s iconic green-red-green Web stripe detailing, a nod to its archival equestrian roots. It typically comes in a rectangular silhouette with a top zip closure and a spacious main compartment so you don’t need to ask your s/o to carry stuff for you.

Kylian Mbappé, the Medium Dior Normandie Tote Bag 

Kylian Mbappé, who’s also the face of Dior Summer 2026 campaign was spotted carrying the Medium Dior Normandie Tote Bag in Deep Brown Suede Calfskin. It’s made with smooth leather accents, comes with an adjustable leather strap with a CD buckle, sculptural side construction and subtle CD-branded metal feet. The spacious interior, lined in tonal cowhide leather, comfortably fits a 15-inch laptop, A4 documents and daily essentials, while an adjustable, removable shoulder strap allows it to be carried by hand, over the shoulder or crossbody. 

Marcus Thuram’s Chanel x Pharrell Williams XXL Suede Flap Bag Green

French footballer Marcus Thuram was spotted with the Chanel x Pharrell Williams XXL Suede Flap Bag, one of the most coveted pieces from the House’s 2019 collaboration with Pharrell Williams. It’s crafted from vivid emerald-green suede with signature diamond quilting, has an exaggerated XXL silhouette with gold-tone hardware, a CC turn-lock closure, and a leather-threaded chain strap embossed with Pharrell’s name. A contrasting blue suede interior adds another unexpected pop of design detail.

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