‘Look at David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo!’ - Alisha Lehmann defended for wearing makeup for Aston Villa and Switzerland as comparison made with male stars’ haircuts

The 24-year-old was targetted by trolls following Switzerland's 7-1 loss to Spain in a Nations League encounter for wearing makeup. Several nasty comments popped up on her Instagram post after the defeat, including one that read: "All that makeup just to lose 1-7 on home soil". Another posted: "Ever feel like a muppet being the only one with makeup on to play a sport."

Lehmann has been defended by Vicki Blomme, from Nordic outlet C More, as the TV presenter likened her love for makeup to male players' affinity for trendy haircuts.

While speaking to the Soccer Sisters podcast, Blomme said (via Mundo Deportivo): "Yes, she plays with her sexuality, but they have done it many times. Look at Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. I think makeup and personal grooming are seen differently than if a boy does his hair.

"A lot of people think it's vanity, but it's also feeling. The feeling of feeling confident and strong, there's something to that. I think it's good that we're different and that we look however we want. You take some of the attention away from football, but that's how it happened also with Beckham. There is nothing wrong with playing football with makeup, we have to stop blaming them".

The likes of Beckham and Ronaldo have been style icons for their fans across the world, recognised for their sense of fashion and funky hairstyles. When Beckham sported a mini mohawk in the early 2000s to rebel against Sir Alex Ferguson, it became all the rage among school-going students in the UK, which forced authorities to ban it among students. Furthermore, 'noodle-hair' Ronaldo is still a craze and was even imitated by Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. while he was holidaying during the 2021 season break.

Lehmann will be in action against West Ham in the WSL on Sunday. Whereas, Ronaldo will be hoping to add to his tally of 128 international goals when Portugal take on Iceland on the same day.