England footballer Declan Rice has been named GQ Man of the Year and featured on the cover of the magazine.
The photoshoot and an interview with the Arsenal midfielder were published on the magazine website, showcasing the star in high-end fashion.
One of the most expensive footballers in the world posed with a mug in hand for the feature. The England international appeared before the camera wearing a Louis Vuitton T-shirt and a striped Kent and Curwen polo shirt, paired with trousers and a raincoat from the Derek Rose brand collection.
The prestigious Man of the Year title from GQ honours leading figures across entertainment, style and sport. Rice has established himself as a central figure in English football, serving as a key midfield presence for Arsenal in the Premier League and representing his country on the international stage.
Declan Rice on football wages
In his interview with GQ, the Arsenal midfielder spoke candidly about the high salaries paid to top footballers. Rice said that the sums circulating in football are simply beyond belief. He acknowledged that while such substantial earnings provide greater comfort and more opportunities, he does not wake up thinking about having piles of money, explaining that wealth is not his main purpose.
The midfielder explained that he wants his children to understand the value of money rather than taking it for granted given his wealthy circumstances. Rice said he wants to instill the right values in a child so they do not grow up spoiled, adding that it is important for children to work hard and understand what life and money are worth.
Market value and Arsenal contract
Rice ranks among the top 15 most expensive footballers on the planet and is the most expensive player at Arsenal. According to figures from the football valuation website Transfermarkt, the midfielder has a market value of 120 million euros, while his salary under his current contract reaches 250,000 pounds sterling a week.
Transfermarkt is an established database that calculates market estimates based on player performance, contract length and global transfer fees. Rice signed for Arsenal from West Ham United and quickly became an indispensable player at Emirates Stadium, anchoring the midfield and consolidating his reputation as one of Europe's premier holding midfielders.
Football stars and luxury fashion
Rice is not the only high-profile English player to make headlines in major fashion publications. Fellow England international Jude Bellingham previously posed for Vogue, stirring up significant debate across social media. Bellingham, who is regarded as one of the best footballers in the world, also generated attention after starring in an advertising campaign wearing Calvin Klein underwear.
The appearance of leading athletes in major lifestyle titles reflects a growing trend of top footballers crossing over into luxury fashion and popular culture. Bellingham, who plays in Spain for Real Madrid, and Rice have both leveraged their sporting profiles into global commercial appeal, proving that modern players now command substantial influence far beyond the football pitch.
