Gods of soccer: Ronaldo, Messi like you've never seen them

Looking regal in his Russian uniform, Cristiano Ronaldo gazes out pensively with his arms folded and "CR7" embroidered near his left shoulder.

Behind him is Lionel Messi, also snappily dressed and with the hairs of his moustache twirled up either side of his mouth. Luis Suarez, Mohamed Salah, Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Ramos — it's a gathering of soccer's most venerated players and coaches.

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 20, 2018 file photo, a woman watches a portrait of Portugal's soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, part of the "Like The Gods" exhibition at the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. It's a collection of digitally made portraits of around 40 modern soccer superstars dressed in military and royal uniforms dating back to the 19th century. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

Welcome to the "Like The Gods" exhibition at the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.

The collection includes digitally made portraits of around 40 modern soccer superstars dressed in military and royal uniforms dating back to the 19th century, intertwined among sculptures of ancient gods, made about 200 years ago.

"They just emphasize the main concept of this exhibition: modern heroes and ancient gods," says Anastasia Sergeeva, exhibition specialist at the museum. "Like some perfection or ideal that you can reach. And these people are reaching it now."

It is the work of Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli, who is both a digital illustrator and a big fan of soccer. Birimbelli was there for the opening of the exhibition June 20, while former FIFA President Sepp Blatter was a visitor two days later.

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 20, 2018 file photo, visitors speak in front of a portrait of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, part of the "Like The Gods" exhibition at the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. It's a collection of digitally made portraits of around 40 modern soccer superstars dressed in military and royal uniforms dating back to the 19th century. Intertwined among the portraits are sculptures of ancient gods, made about 200 years ago. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

"He came last week with his wife," Sergeeva says of Blatter, "and just said that he was really impressed by the exhibition and that it's really great that Russian museums are taking part in this way in the World Cup. This is just an idea of heroes in sport and football, expressed in the language of art."

Sergeeva says Ramos, the Spain captain, also has given the project the thumbs-up and was happy to be presented as a "modern hero."

Birimbelli has had some fun with the portraits, all of which he signs with "Fab."

Liverpool's larger-than-life coach, Juergen Klopp, has a cheeky grin on his face as he pulls a button on his uniform. Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns side on and looks like a warrior in his suit of armor, a Swedish flag fluttering beside him. France midfielder Paul Pogba has tricolored hair.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has long, thick sideburns on his face. Brazil goalkeeper Alisson holds a caipirinha cocktail. Eric Cantona, fondly referred to as King Eric by fans of his former club Manchester United, wears a crown and holds a ball in his right hand.

"Birimbelli has easily perceived sincerity in each portrait that is sometimes missed by professional experts," the museum literature reads.

"Birimbelli's heroes of modern football are equal to heroes of (Greek sculptors) Lysippos or Polykleitos," it adds. "Antiquity inspires modernity."

The exhibition runs until July 15, the final day of the World Cup.

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 20, 2018 file photo, a waiter carries drinks past a portrait of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, part of the "Like The Gods" exhibition at the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. It's a collection of digitally made portraits of around 40 modern soccer superstars dressed in military and royal uniforms dating back to the 19th century. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 20, 2018 file photo, visitors watch a portrait of Egypt's soccer star Mohamed Salah, part of the "Like The Gods" exhibition, at the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. It's a collection of digitally made portraits of around 40 modern soccer superstars dressed in military and royal uniforms dating back to the 19th century. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 20, 2018 file photo, visitor walks among portraits with a portrait of France's soccer star Paul Pogba, left, part of the "Like The Gods" exhibition at the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. It's a collection of digitally made portraits of around 40 modern soccer superstars dressed in military and royal uniforms dating back to the 19th century. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

Tim Howard was 10 years old when he walked into Giants Stadium's upper deck in June 1989 for a United States-Peru friendly that featured goalkeeper Tony Meola making his second international appearance.

“My earliest soccer memory,” Howard recalled last month.

Howard went on to follow Meola in a line of outstanding American goalkeepers, and on Saturday he will join Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel in the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.

“Obviously, it is the honor of my life,” Howard said.

Josh McKinney, captain of the U.S. seven-a-side Paralympic team, also was elected from the player ballot. Midfielder Tisha Venturini-Hoch was chosen from the veteran ballot and United Soccer Leagues founder Francisco Marcos was picked from the builder category.

Now 45, Howard started at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and made 121 international appearances from 2002-17, most among American goalkeepers. His 16 saves in a 2-1, second-round extra time loss to Belgium in 2014 was a zenith. Howard's finale was the nadir, the 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago that ended the Americans' streak of seven straight World Cup appearances.

"U.S. Soccer needed a wake up call," Howard said, looking back.

He played with Major League Soccer’s New York/New Jersey MetroStars from 1998 to 2003, then in England for Manchester United (2003-06) and Everton (2006-16). He returned to MLS with Colorado from 2016-19 and finished in 2020 with second-tier Memphis, where he is a non-controlling owner and sporting director.

No top successor has emerged at the national team.

Zack Steffen failed to get regular time at Manchester City and returned to Major League Soccer this year. Matt Turner lost his starting job in the Premier League after a series of soft goals, and Ethan Horvath is in England's second division.

“We had it locked. We had this goalkeeping thing figured out for a long time, didn’t we? Going all the way back. And, yeah, it just seems like we’ve had a little bit of a rut,” Howard said.

“The game has continued to evolve, and I don’t know if our young goalkeepers are getting pushed as hard as they need to, to that breaking point,” he continued. “One of the things that Kasey Keller said to me when I signed with Manchester United, and it stuck with me forever, he just said, look, in order to be judged as a goalkeeper you have to play 100 games at the highest level. And right now, our young guys aren’t getting those games to even be able to judge them.

“I like Zack, and I like Matt. I do like Matt’s wherewithal, fortitude and mental toughness," Howard added. “Zack’s talent is unmatched and I’ve always said about Zack he could be the greatest U.S. goalkeeper of all time because of the physical tools that he possesses.”

In his fourth season as an analyst for NBC's Premier League coverage, Howard faulted the American preparation system.

“The goalkeeping coaching has dropped a level, as well, if I’m being brutally honest,” he said, “because when you look at some of these top goalkeepers that we’ve produced through the years, they’ve always had high-level goalkeeping coaches. And I can say that because I’ve seen the worst of the worst, and I’ve seen the best of the best in my career. And I think high-level goalkeeping coaching is down.”

Howard was open early in his career that he had Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder causing involuntary, repetitive movements. He became an advocate and fundraiser for those afflicted.

“I just wanted to kind of get ahead of it and put it out there before anybody could really scrutinize and criticize me for it, knowing that I was climbing that ladder and going to be in the spotlight had I become a starter,” he said. “I appreciate the sensitivity with which people have covered my journey with Tourette syndrome throughout the course of my career because, quite frankly, I’m being brutally honest with you, I can handle it. There’s nothing anyone can throw at me that I can’t handle.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Everton's American goalkeeper Tim Howard celebrates their victory against Arsenal during their English Premier League soccer match at Goodison Park Stadium in Liverpool, England, March 18, 2007. Tim Howard will join Tony Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel on Saturday as modern-era American goalkeepers in the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, File)

FILE - United States' goalkeeper Tim Howard dives to make a save on Germany's Thomas Mueller during the group G World Cup soccer match between the USA and Germany at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. Tim Howard will join Tony Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel on Saturday, May 4, 2024, as modern-era American goalkeepers in the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File)

FILE - United States goalkeeper Tim Howard talks to reporters before a training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 28, 2014. Tim Howard will join Tony Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel on Saturday, May 4, 2024, as modern-era American goalkeepers in the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

FILE -Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard celebrates as time runs out in the team's MLS soccer match against the Portland Timbers on Saturday, June 17, 2017, in Commerce City, Colo. The Rapids won 2-1. Tim Howard will join Tony Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel on Saturday, May 4, 2024, as modern-era American goalkeepers in the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)