Kandima has been open in the Maldives since 2017
A host of sports stars from around the world have made it their go-to destination
By ALEX MCCARTHY
Published: 10:41 EDT, 26 May 2025 | Updated: 10:48 EDT, 26 May 2025
Premier League stars past and present are flocking in their droves to one resort in the Maldives for their holidays.
Kandima has established itself as one of the most in-demand Maldivian islands since it was built in 2017.
Extensive work continues to be done to expand the island resort and indeed extend to other nearby islands.
However, the clear blue waters you have to see to believe is the calling card of Kandima and plenty of stars have had to check it out.
Millions has been invested in island that is just 3km long but inhabited by just Kandima. Let’s take a look at who has taken the trip to paradise. To read our full review of why the sports stars are flocking to Kandima, you can do so here.
Ederson (Man City)
After winning the treble in 2023, Ederson celebrated in style by heading to the luxury island for his holiday.
This season ended a run of four straight Premier League title for the Brazilian, but he might well be the most decorated current pro to grace the resort. He left his gloves at home and played out on pitch during his stay!
Ederson took the opportunity to play out on pitch in the Maldives
The goalkeeper has always been famed for being good with his feet!
Joe Gomez (Liverpool)
The Liverpool defender has just picked up the second Premier League winners medal of his career and back in 2022, he also enjoyed the delights of the Maldives with Kandima.
The defender celebrated his eight-year anniversary with his partner during his trip. Still 28, Gomez still has plenty of his career in the top flight left.
Gomez found time to play some football during his romantic getaway
The Liverpool defender posed with the locals after their game
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Cucurella hasn’t actually been to the resort yet, but he is scheduled to later this year after having to cancel last year when he was included in Spain’s Euro-winning squad.
It’s understood the Chelsea star will be taking his whole family, much of whom you are able to get to know and see on Season 2 of Married to the Game.
Former Premier League stars include: Daniel Agger (Liverpool)
The Dane stayed on the island back in 2020 just before the Covid outbreak (not a bad place to go before being locked down!).
He played 175 Premier League games for Liverpool and won both the FA Cup and Champions League during his time at Anfield.
Agger playing in the searing Maldives heat
The Kandima staff is always up for playing with the superstars that arrive on the island
Wes Brown (Man United)
The 23-time England international visited the resort when it first opened back in 2017 just when he was playing for Kerala Blasters in nearby India.
As a five-time Premier League champion and two-time Champions League winner, he might be the most decorated footballer to grace the gorgeous beaches of Kandima.
Brown was playing close by in India when he decided to visit the resort, just as it opened
As you can see in the background, the resort has plenty of dining on the beach
Patrick Cutrone (Wolves, now Como)
The former AC Milan wonderkid went to the Maldives in the summer of 2022.
He went with Italian defender Davide Calabria (who is at Bologna on-loan from AC Milan). After stuttering during his time in England, Cutrone has found his feet again with Como and has 30 goals in nearly 100 games.
Cutrone has rebuilt his career in his homeland after a difficult spell with Wolves
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool)
The former Liverpool left-back now plying his trade in Serie A with Como went on honeymoon to Kandima with his wife, Lilia Granadilla back in 2021.
Judging by his socials, the Spaniard enjoys being in the Maldives but had particular praise for Kandima.
Moreno played in the Premier League with Liverpool and had his honeymoon at Kandima
Jack Butland (Stoke, now Rangers)
The nine-time England international took his family to the luxury resort in the summer of 2023 while enjoying his break from the game.
After returning form the holiday he secured a loan deal to Manchester United. He's still Rangers' number one to this day.
Other sports stars include:
Davide Calabria (AC Milan)
Lia Lewis (British freestyle football champion)
Lia Lewis is the British football freestyle champion and she took her skills to Kandima in 2024
Lewis posing on Kandima's pristinely kept football pitch
Mohamed Shami (Indian cricketer)
Ricardinho (Portuguese six-time world futsal champion)
Sean Garnier (Red Bull Freestyle champion)
Kandima is not your typical Maldives getaway as it boasts a go-kart track, art classes, a full-size football pitch, tennis and badminton courts and will soon open PlaySpace with VR gaming, a bowling alley, arcade games, escape rooms and karaoke rooms.
That’s in addition to what you’d expect - a ton of water-based activities and a top of the line kids club.
But what’s really driving the star to Kandima is sure to be the jaw-dropping views with turquoise ocean and sandy beaches. More and more sport stars seem to be heading down to the islands.