Cristiano Ronaldo, Francesco Totti, and Mohamed Salah: The Cats of Football Stars Who Won Over the Internet
Some live surrounded by luxury, while others conquered the internet through memes. For Cat Day, we explore the most curious stories of felines connected to football’s biggest stars.
Football stars often make headlines for their goals, titles, and luxurious lifestyles, but some of their most curious stories involve four legs and whiskers. On National Cat Day, we look back at the felines who won over footballers and, in some cases, millions of internet users.
From pampered pets and family anecdotes to viral memes, these animals have carved out their own place in the world of sports. Some of their stories sound like something out of a movie, especially when their owners are figures accustomed to living in the spotlight.
Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Cat Who Traveled on a Private Jet
One of the most remarkable cases is Pepe, the Sphynx cat belonging to Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez. The feline’s name caught people’s attention because it matches that of Portuguese defender Pepe, who played alongside CR7 at Real Madrid and for Portugal’s national team. In 2021, the cat was hit by a car in Turin, Italy, and required veterinary care. Given the circumstances, the family decided to transport him to Spain to continue his recovery.
Pepe was flown on a private jet and placed in the care of Ivana Rodríguez, Georgina’s sister. The incident drew attention because of the extraordinary measures taken to help the cat recover. He went from sharing a name with one of Ronaldo’s former teammates to making international headlines because of the special treatment he received during his recovery.
From Donna Paola to Mohamed Salah’s Cats
Francesco Totti also has a curious story involving cats. During an Instagram Live with Christian Vieri, the former Roma captain revealed that he initially did not want Donna Paola, a Sphynx cat who joined his household at the initiative of his ex-wife, Ilary Blasi. Nevertheless, Totti eventually grew so attached to her that he agreed to let her sleep near the couple.
Mohamed Salah also belongs among the footballers who share their lives with cats. The Trabzonspor star has two felines named Bose and Scrub, names chosen by his children rather than by the Egyptian forward himself. He revealed this during an interview with Star Sports, joking about his children’s choices when naming their pets.
Salah also showed his support for animal welfare in 2018, when he shared a photo with his Siamese cats to oppose a proposal related to exporting cats and dogs from Egypt for consumption.
The Cats That Went Viral for Looking Like Footballers
Not every famous cat in football belongs to a player. Marla, the cat compared to Phil Foden, became popular because of her expression and features, which reminded people of the English midfielder. The comparison circulated on social media and gained renewed attention during Euro 2024. The phenomenon was documented by Know Your Meme.
Another example is the cat wearing a black, curly wig that reminded fans of Marc Cucurella. The video went viral in 2025, inspiring jokes among football fans.
The phenomenon gained momentum again during the 2026 World Cup, as fans used the feline in jokes involving Spain’s opponents. Its popularity even reached Google, which added an animation of a curly-haired cat waving a Spanish flag when users searched for the defender’s name on July 17. Although the feline is not known to be Cucurella’s pet, its resemblance to the player was enough to turn it into an internet sensation.
Ultimately, cats have also found their place in football conversations. Some made headlines because of their adventures, while others became famous through a single viral image, proving that a feline can steal the spotlight, too.
