The Football Teams Supported by World Leaders
By Max Cooper
It's easy to forget that people in power are just 'normal' folk, isn't it? Think back to the confusion you experienced as a child when you bumped into your maths teacher in the supermarket - not in his smart, green jumper!
'He's just a normal person, like you and me!' your mother told you, as you broke your neck in an attempt to follow his next move. Like our old school teachers, politicians are normal blokes and women too. And they're in the news at the moment, after Donald Trump threw the biggest tantrum in history and Joe Biden became the next president of the United States of America. Some of them even like football.
But which team do they support? Well, have a gander here.
8. Emmanuel Macron (President of France) - Marseille
Huge controversy surrounding this one. France president Emmanuel Macron is a big Marseille supporter - and many football experts reckon he wielded his powers to help his beloved OM last year.
Marseille were second in Ligue 1 when president Macron decided to curtail the football calendar, meaning his heroes booked themselves a place in the Champions League this season!
How's that working out for them, anyway?
7. Barack Obama (Former President of USA) - West Ham
Turns out, it's pretty hard to dig up any dirt on newly appointed president of the United States, Joe Biden. He's certainly into his soccer, and even attended the 2014 World Cup. One man who has nailed his colours to a mast is former president Barack Obama.
It is believed that the American once sat down to watch a West Ham match with his sister, who lived in East London, and he was entranced by the lights and the bubbles that awaited him.
No pressure Moyesy, but the former president of the USA is watching your every move.
Barry O also follows SV Darmstadt on Twitter for... reasons.
6. Alberto Fernandez (President of Argentina) - Argentinos Juniors
Alberto Fernandez, president of Argentina, is a Diego Armando Maradona fanboy. Who would have thunk it? Fernandez is a huge supporter of Buenos Aires based side, Argentinos Juniors, the club where the great Argentinian star began his incredible career.
El Bicho now play their games at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, and president Fernandez has also been named as an honorary member of the Juniors.
Lovely stuff.
5. Vladimir Putin (Russia) - Zenit St Petersburg
Powerful, scary man supports powerful, scary team. Nothing new here, then.
Though not much of a footy nut (he's more into martial arts and topless horse riding), Russian leader Vladimir Putin is supposedly a fan of Zenit St Petersburg, and he is not afraid to make his feelings known about the state of the team.
Putin hit out at his club for playing too many non-Russians (shock), saying, "You've got eight foreigners running across the pitch, playing for Zenit in the Europa League, well done."
Do not get on his wrong side.
4. Pope Francis (Vatican) - San Lorenzo
Pope Francis, the highest power in Catholicism, is a big-time San Lorenzo fan!
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, also known as the Pope, hails from Buenos Aires, and he has not forgotten his roots with his choice of football team.
They may not be one of the regular winners of Argentinian football, but with the Pope on their side, San Lorenzo can always call on divine intervention during their hour of need.
3. Pedro Sanchez (Prime Minister of Spain) - Atletico Madrid
A story of betrayal, this. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has confessed his undying love for the red and white of Atletico Madrid, but he once donned the white of rivals Real Madrid!
He had trials with Los Blancos, and could have been a strapping star due to his height and physique, but decided to give up the sport and move into politics.
What might have been.
2. Boris Johnson (Prime Minister of Great Britain) - All London Teams
Of course he's plonked himself nicely on the fence for this one, hasn't he?
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, supports ALL OF THE LONDON TEAMS. How does that even work? How does he keep up with all the results?
What happens when Arsenal play Tottenham Hotspur, or Chelsea host Fulham? Oh let's face it, he doesn't give a flying sausage about football, does he? Still, I'd hate to see his half and half scarves consisting of every club in London. Come on London FC!
1. Kim Jong-un (North Korea) - Man Utd
When he's not too busy sparking rumours of his own death or slipping in and out of comas, Kim Jong-un is a Red Devil! The North Korean dictator is a Manchester United fan, and he has even ordered state TV to show their matches (possibly as some form of torture, we're not too sure).
Maybe he fancies a crack in the management game. After all, this Man Utd group need to regain that fear factor, and who better to drill it into them than this guy?
If I were Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I would be very, very worried.