Spoiler

The Euro 2008 Ugly XI

The Spoiler considers Euro 2008′s aesthetically challenged stars

If the 1997 Oscar-winning Italian World War II film Life Is Beautiful taught us anything, it’s that beauty can be found even in the darkest of circumstances. Yet sometimes, even the beautiful game is plagued by the ‘handsomely impaired’. What follows is a squad that may be described as ‘ugly’, ‘fugly’ and perhaps most harshly, ‘pug fugly’. Read on if you dare…

1. Rüştü Reçber

The war paint and ‘face art’ are distracting, but not quite distracting enough.

2. Ludovic Magnin

You know life isn’t fair when you grow up to be bald and ginger.

3. Carles Puyol

It’s not 1976 – get a haircut, hippy!

4. Philippe Senderos

Some suit the shaven look, Senderos clearly doesn’t. The Star Trek ears and ‘special’ expression don’t help his cause either.

5. Jorge Ribeiro

For the sake of his self-esteem, this Portuguese would do well not to stand next to C-Ron.

6. Franck Ribery

The French midfielder must count his lucky stars that he can play football.

7. Andrea Pirlo

Hailing from the most beautiful country in Europe is tough when you have a wonky gormless face.

8. Stephane Grichting

The Swiss midfielder’s nose is so big it has its own constitution.

9. Niko Kovac

This Croatian wouldn’t be too bad if he didn’t have a Bond villain-esque squint. Look at him, plotting the elaborate death of a fictional British secret service agent…

10. Jan Koller

Nevermind the swerve, these tournament match balls give off terrifying reflections.

11. Ruud van Nistelrooy

You’d find yourself in offside positions too if you had to wear blinkers for most of the day.

Disagree with our selections? Think we’ve missed some out? Let us know with a comment below.

• Andrea Pirlo
• Carles Puyol
• Euro 2008
• Franck Ribery
• Jan Koller
• Jorge Ribeiro
• Ludovic Magnin
• Niko Kovac
• Philippe Senderos
• R
• Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Stephane Grichting
• Ugly
• Ugly XI