Anton del Rosario

Anton Del Rosario was the one who literally got the (foot)ball rolling in Philippines. As football became popular, Anton was there helping push the movement forward. The American-born Filipino, inspired by brother Armand Del Rosario and fellow footballer, has played for national team the Azkals, making his debut at the 2004 Tiger Cup. The defender has gone on to score a few international goals, including the 2007 AFF Championship against Malaysia. He has also played for clubs like Kaya (1999 – 2014 and as captain), Loyola Meralco Sparks (2014 – present). He has dedicated most of his life to developing the country’s passion for football whether on or off field, as a businessman, host and model. For example, he has set up F7’s Football League (7’s FL), the country’s first seven-a-side football league, which he intends to spread nationwide and across Asia. He is instrumental to bringing the World Cup Seven-A-Side 2019 to Philippines. Additionally, he is the CEO of the application called LARO, which is described as Tinder for sports. In his personal life, he married and started a family with Samantha Bolkiah, daughter of Brunei Prince Jefri Bolkiah.