| LLORIS | Hugo, France's most-capped men's football player who captained the 2018 World Cup-winning team (6) |
| LILIAN | ...... Thuram, in football, France's most capped player (6) |
| YHURAM | France's most capped soccer player, Lilian ... (6) |
| RONALDO | Shared record for most wins in Ballon d'Or as world men's football player of year until Lionel Messi went one clear in 2019 (7) |
| ODRISCOLL | Brian ___, rugby player who captained the British and Irish Lions on their 2005 tour of New Zealand |
| KYLEOKPOSO | Nigerian American NHL player who captained the Buffalo Sabres from 2022 to 2024: 2 wds. |
| MCBRIDE | Willie John ---, ex-Ireland rugby union player who captained the British and Irish Lions side in South Africa in 1974 (7) |
| HAKIMI | Moroccan defensive player who played for Real Madrid and Inter Milan, before joining Paris Saint-Germain. He played on Morocco's national team in the 2018 World Cup. (6) |
| RUSSIA | Team knocked out of the 2018 World Cup quaner-finals by Croatia (6) |
| MARTIN | ___ Johnson former English rugby player who captained England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup |
| STYLES | Nobby, late Manchester United midfielder who played in England's 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning team (6) |
| STILES | Nobby _. midfielder who played in England's 1966 FIFA World Cup winning team (6) |
| NAMATH | Joe, American Football player who led the New York Jets to victory in the 1969 Super Bowl (6) |
| ASHLEY | ____ Williams, TV football pundit and ex-player who captained Wales at Euro 2016 (6) |
| PUNTER | Football player who kicks the ball downfield to the opposing team |
| FLORES | Tom ___ American former football player who won the Super Bowl as a player assistant coach and head coach |
| TRAVIS | ____ Kelce, U.S. football player who is the partner of Taylor Swift (6) |
| SERGIO | Ramos who played for Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning team |
| MODRIC | Luka, Real Madrid midfielder and 2018 World Cup Golden Ball winner for Croatia (6) |
| ROONEY | Surname of a US actor and an English football player who has turned to management (6) |
