The sports stars who captured our hearts in the 80s and 90s

The 80s and 90s were special times for sports fans, with icons who left their mark on history. These athletes stole our hearts, both inside and outside sports.

Kournikova reached world number 8 in tennis, but perhaps it was her beauty that stood out above her tennis abilities. She became an icon in the late 20th century.

'Il Capitano' seemed to float over the San Siro pitch and is a true AC Milan and Italy legend. Maldini arguably had the most beautiful eyes the football world has ever seen.

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Everyone remembers Monica Seles for the stabbing incident she suffered during a match, but it is unfair to forget how good she was on the court. She had magnetic appeal back then and still does to this day.

In a formal and quite serious sport, Andre Agassi embodied the Rock 'n Roll, anarchy and rebelliousness of the 80s. His long hair and casual style made him a much sought-after athlete.

Before falling into disgrace due to doping, Marion Jones was an admired, desired and sought-after athlete. The once fastest woman in the world won as many hearts as track meets in her heyday.

Rodriguez played for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners during his career, signed a historic contract and made half the world fall in love with his bright eyes. He had a 4-year relationship with famous singer Jennifer Lopez.

Comaneci was the first gymnast to score a perfect ten in an Olympic artistic gymnastics competition. She was 14 years old when the world fell in love with her, and the infatuation only grew as she got older.

It's hard to say whether David Ginola was better looking during his career or now. When he was still playing, he looked like a Tommy Hilfiger model; today, he's a silver fox with eyes to die for.

The former Swiss tennis player of Czechoslovakian descent had an appeal that was hard to explain, but was primarily focused on her tennis career.

Being in the conversation for being the greatest athlete of all time surely helps to turn admiration into infatuation. In Michael Jordan's case, the admiration of millions of people was endless.

When your Hollywood biopic is played by Margot Robbie, you must be very beautiful. Skating made Harding world-famous, but what she did to Nancy Kerrigan made her infamous.

The most popular footballer in history and a guy who looks good with every hairstyle, every look and every hair colour. What's more, Becks seems to get better with age.

A pioneer in beach volleyball, Reece also balanced her professional sports career with modeling.

Woods revolutionised golf by combining talent with brute force. This, coupled with his reputation as a good boy, made him the world's perfect son-in-law, until certain events came to light.

Griffith Joyner had the makings of an action movie superheroine and won three gold medals at the 1988 Olympics. She was a true 1980s icon.

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A legendary striker with a disarming smile. His gaze graced millions of teenagers' bedrooms all over the world for much of the 90s.

Golf requires a lot of strength, which Nancy Lopez brought to the table. With her a powerful presence, she drove fans all over the world crazy.

Sampras was the opposite of Agassi, his great rival and friend. He was serious, manly, hairy, muscular and always proper and elegant, both on and off the court.

One of the best skaters in history, Witt knew how to seduce the camera with her eyes, her smile and her graceful movements on the ice. Watching her skate was absolutely hypnotic.

With or without hair, Cannavaro was one of those sportsmen who could stop time with his eyes. Strong on the pitch but extremely elegant off it.

One of the best in history, Piccinini was featured on the cover of Men's Health and Playboy. This revealed that her beauty caused her more than a few problems in the locker room, due to colleagues who fell in love with her.

The Miami Dolphins legend was the perfect son-in-law and the dream husband of an entire country and half the world.

Considered one of the greatest female footballers of all time, she was one of the pioneers in taking women's football to another level, which brought her fame and much admiration around the world.

'The Golden Boy of boxing' was liked and adored the attention. His powerful physique and his soap opera actor's face elevated him to dandy status in the 1990s.

Graff won 22 Grand Slams and the hearts of fans around the world. Her ageless, imposing 175 cm, perfect hair and endless legs delighted tennis fans in the 1990s.

The only athlete in the Hall of Fame in two sports was as talented as he was desirable, with highly masculine features and an attractive smile.

The Oscar-winning actress was once one of the most sought-after sportswomen, thanks to her famous aerobics videos that took the 80s by storm. For many, Jane Fonda in leggings and working out was absolute perfection.

A New York Yankees icon whose beguiling smile could disarm anyone. Jeter had the face of a rebel, but was good-hearted and could easily have featured in a teen series in the 90s.

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