9 handsome world leaders: Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky is setting social media alight, but Canada’s Justin Trudeau, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Spain’s Pedro Sánchez are strong competition

Mar 13 , 2022

These political leaders have influenced the world with their political power, but they may have also done it with their dashing looks. Photos: @kingjigmekhesar, @justinpjtrudeau, @karl.nehammer, @jguaido/Instagram; AFP

TikTok and other social media users have been thirsting after the lionhearted Zelensky, but Macron, Sánchez and Austria’s Karl Nehammer have their fans too

Before becoming Liberia’s president, George Weah was a footballer for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, even being named one of the best by Fifa

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky caught a lot of attention last week, but not for the reasons you might think. After a TikTok user posted a video of her thirsting over him, the clip went viral, prompting thousands of others to confess their secret crush on the 44-year-old married father.

And, to be honest, we get it. A young leader in the prime of his life, showing strong leadership, unrelenting bravery and a DGAF attitude (remember when he told the US he needed “ammunition, not a ride”) – what’s not to like?

A video grab of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivering an address in Kyiv on March 6. Photo: Ukrainian presidency press office/AFP

A new generation of world leaders is taking office – and if President Zelensky is anything to go by, we like what we see.

Here are some other surprisingly handsome politicians who have caused a stir online as unlikely heartthrobs.

1. Canada: Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Photo: @justinpjtrudeau/Instagram

The son of famous Canadian prime minister Pierre and former actress and “it” girl Margaret Sinclair, it’s clear that Justin Trudeau inherited some pretty enviable genes. His chiselled jawline, piercing blue-green eyes and thick head of hair has set him apart from other world leaders since his inauguration in 2015.

2. France: Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron smiles during a summit at Nato headquarters in Brussels in 2017. Photo: AFP

When Emmanuel Macron became the French president elect in 2017, the internet erupted in fierce debate over who was the hottest world leader: Macron or Trudeau. Regardless of who won that argument though, it goes without saying that Macron gets full credit for making sideburns sexy again.