Forget Messi’s goal tally or how many pints it takes for Scotland fans to get rowdy. The real debate that’s been simmering through this World Cup finally has a winner.
AI has spoken, and the most handsome player in the tournament is Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul. According to a study from DreamGF, reported by RMC Sport in France, the midfield bulldog scored a 74.18% match with the golden ratio — that’s the mathematical standard for facial symmetry, balance, and proportion.
The study started with the 150 most Google-searched players at the tournament and then ran their faces through whatever algorithm spits out a handsome score. De Paul came out on top, but it was tight.
Germany’s Kai Havertz finished second with 74.10%. That’s barely a hair’s breadth behind. England’s Noni Madueke took bronze at 73.29%, while Mohamed Salah (73.27%) and Brazil’s Endrick (73.25%) rounded out the top five. So if you’re keeping track, Argentina has the best player on the pitch and apparently the best-looking one too.
De Paul hasn’t commented on the AI ranking yet, but fans online are split. Some are arguing the algorithm clearly has a bias toward stubble and intense stares. Others are wondering how Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t crack the top five. (Spoiler: the study didn’t say where he landed, but the golden ratio can be a harsh critic.)
This is the kind of research that exists for no other reason than to settle bar arguments and generate headlines. But it also says something about how we consume sports now. The same fans who obsess over xG and defensive positioning are also running face-comparison algorithms on their phones. It’s just part of the deal in 2026.
Anyway, if you’re Argentina, you take the win. De Paul can now add a golden ratio trophy to his locker next to the actual World Cup hardware he might lift this summer. Not bad for a guy whose job is mostly chasing down opponents and breaking up attacks.
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