Five former footballers who now own football clubs
Football is generally known to be a very lucrative sport, with players earning as high as even £500,000 in the highest stages and the biggest leagues. Deals with sports brands and the influx of other niches of the business world have made it even more lucrative. But compared to what the owners of football clubs earn, what the footballer’s earn is nothing but a foot nail, this has made many wealthy figures move to secure the ownership or shares and footballers themselves are not excluded. Below we will take a look at ten footballers and ex footballers who own football clubs.
BECKHAM, DAVID (INTER MIAMI)
It is probably well known by now that David Beckham has part ownership of MLS side, Inter Miami. The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend owns the football club alongside Jose Mas and Jorge Mas.
Beckham became a co-owner at the club after paying a sum of $25 million, the club has grown since then but remained a mid table until they did a major haul, signing players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba. They have since went on to win trophies and even broke the MLS record for most points in a season.
DROGBA, DIDIER (PHOENIX RISING FC)
Didier Drogba is the second on the list, after moving to the MLS the Chelsea legend spent a short time in the top flight before moving down to the USL to join Phoenix Rising FC in 2017.
He acquired a minority stake in the football club while playing for them, becoming the first player-owner in football history. After retiring, Drogba has continued to be a part of the club.
GERRARD PIQUE (ANDORRA FC)
This is a big one as Andorra FC or Futbol Club Andorra is the first ever and the biggest club in Andorra. Gerrard Pique acquired the club in 2018 before his retirement using his company, Kosmos Holding Group. The club has since progressed under his administration, and is currently competing in the third tier of Spanish football.
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (HAMMARBY IF)
He is not only known for his incredible goal scoring abilities and classy set of skills, but also for his imposing and confident personality. The former Barcelona and AC Milan striker acquired a 23% in Swedish club Hammarby IF in 2019, the club is not a small club as the have previously won the Swedish league.
The club is doing well as they have since won the Svenska Cupen and are currently second on the table, just behind Zlatan’s childhood club, Malmo FF.
RONALDO NAZARIO (REAL VALLADOLID)
Last but not the least on the list is Ronaldo Nazario, popularly known as R9. The two time Ballon d’or winner terrorized defenders and goal keepers in his day, winning everything but the Champions League. In 2018, R9 purchased 51% stake in Spanish side, Real Valladolid for €30 million. He became the first footballer to own a club in a major European league. His shares have since grown to over 80.
Even though Real Valladolid has been having a hard time with staying put in the top flight, they are currently back in the Laliga.
