Footballers portrayed in historical uniforms in portrait exhibition

Footballers have become icons of the modern age, their achievements used to formulate legends around them, similar to those created around the great kings and military men of days and years gone by.

With their heydays consigned to history, one of the only ways to admire those historical figures is by looking at great portraits painted and hung in museums - and now that privilege has been extended to some of the best footballers ever.

A new exhibition unveiled in Russia - currently host of the 2018 World Cup - has seen the likes of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah and Diego Costa immortalised in paint and canvas, with a twist.

The art project 'Like the Gods' has opened in the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, featuring work by Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli.

The project, which opened on June 20 and will run throughout the remainder of the World Cup, presents a series of paintings of world football stars and coaches in historical uniforms, and includes more than 40 portraits.

The heads of Ronaldo, Messi and more are placed onto grand military uniforms, the sort usually seen in paintings of 18th century kings and generals.

There are several nods to the players portrayed however, in the uniforms they are painted in - Maradona has a blue and white armband, while Salah has the badge of the Egypt national team on his uniform.

Ronaldo has a medal designed to resemble the Real Madrid logo, while former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has the badge of the Red Devils large across his chest.

There is some artistic licence taken with some of the likenesses too - Costa and Jurgen Klopp are given flourishes to their facial hair, curled moustaches which do not really exist (but would be great to see in real life).

The portrait of Paul Pogba has the Manchester United and France midfielder with the tricolour flag represented in his hair. While Pogba is known for his exotic hairstyles, he has not yet chosen this ultra-patriotic design - but we wait to see what his stylist might come up with should Les Bleus progress deep into the World Cup.

The exhibition seems a success with art and football fans alike - some wore tuxedos and other smart clothing as they examined the portraits with complimentary glasses of wine.

Others showed the colours of their team - a group of Roma fans proudly unveiling a scarf of the Italian side in front of the portrait of club legend Francesco Totti.

The fascinating and unusual exhibition is sure to provide an interesting diversion for any fans in Saint Petersburg for games during the rest of the World Cup - several matches are to be held in the city, including a semi-final and the third place play-off.

Perhaps the England squad could frequent the gallery during time off - their Repino base is only a short distance from the city - to be inspired towards greatness in this summer's tournament.