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Sam Borden
Multiple Authors
IRVINE, Calif. — Is Malik Tillman a fashion icon?
The midfielder for the U.S. men’s national team is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, starting Friday against Paraguay. Recently, he has been the talk of the team due to a series of eye-catching photos featured in Flaunt, a fashion magazine.
“It’s been shared in the group chat multiple times,” laughed Chris Richards on Wednesday. “Some of the pictures are quite questionable.”
Among the standout photos, one features Tillman wearing a peculiar couture hat resembling an elongated mushroom, while another showcases him in a jacket, shirt and tie paired with very short shorts, dress socks, and leather shoes—symbolizing his genuine passion for high fashion.
Other teammates like Weston McKennie and Alex Freeman also participated in features and photoshoots with Flaunt, but none displayed outfits quite as avant-garde as Tillman’s.
“Fashion is a significant way for me to express my creativity,” Tillman remarked in the interview. “To stay trendy in the fashion scene, you need some financial means. Once I signed my first professional contract, I truly delved into it.”
He’s not the only one on the team with a keen interest in fashion. Despite the lighthearted teasing from his teammates, the camaraderie is evident.
“You may get teased for it,” noted Mark McKenzie, “but embracing such experiences is ultimately about visibility. I’m all for expressing ourselves in unique ways. It doesn’t bother me at all.”