Son Heung-min Ranks 6th on AI-Selected World Cup Handsome List... Ronaldo an 'Unexpected' Result

Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, the Only Asians in the Top 20
The Top Spot Goes to Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul

Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, the star players of the South Korean national football team for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, have drawn attention after ranking high on an AI-selected list of the most handsome players of the tournament. Notably, the two players were the only Asian athletes included in the top 20.

On the 11th (local time), Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in are preparing for a free kick during the first match of Group A between South Korea and Czech Republic at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup held at Zapopan Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. Photo by Yonhap News

The British media outlet Daily Mail recently reported the results of a facial analysis conducted by the AI analytics company DreamAI SRL, which evaluated players participating in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. The study selected 150 players with high Google search volume and analyzed their facial symmetry and proportions, the balance of their jawline and cheekbones, and the arrangement of their eyes, nose, and mouth in a comprehensive manner.

The primary evaluation criterion was the "golden ratio (1:1.618)," considered the ideal standard of beauty since ancient Greece. The AI quantified how closely each player's facial structure approached the golden ratio and ranked them accordingly, emphasizing that the results were based solely on mathematical and scientific analysis, rather than subjective impressions or public popularity.

According to the analysis, the top spot went to Argentina national team midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul scored highly for his distinct facial features, balanced proportions, and well-defined jawline. As a key player for Argentina—a leading contender for the World Cup—he has managed to stand out both on and off the field.

Argentina national team midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. Screenshot from Rodrigo De Paul's Instagram

South Korean players also made a notable showing. Team captain Son Heung-min ranked sixth overall, the highest position among Asian players. Son was recognized for his sharp facial shape, balanced proportions, and trademark bright smile. Lee Kang-in also made the list at 15th place, credited for his refined features and gentle impression, which helped him break into the upper ranks.

By contrast, Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo landed at 45th. Given Ronaldo’s longstanding reputation as one of football’s most handsome icons, the result was unexpected for many.

However, it is worth noting that these rankings are based on AI analysis of facial proportions and structure according to mathematical and scientific standards. As such, there may be differences from actual attractiveness or fans' preferences, making these results an intriguing point of interest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.