The 10 players who were rich before they became footballers

Many players come from very poor families and have worked hard to realise their dream of becoming professional footballers. Others, on the other hand, grew up in well-off families and were simply looking for moral support.

Here are the 10 players who were rich before they became footballers

10. Andrea Pirlo

Italian star Andrea Pirlo has said on several occasions that he didn’t play football for the money, but for the passion – he never needed the money.

9. Mario Balotelli

Another Italian who was very rich before becoming a footballer. After seeking help from social services because his family’s situation in Ghana was too delicate, Mario Balotelli was adopted by a very wealthy family in Brescia.

8. Hugo Lloris

Lloris comes from a wealthy family in France. His mother is a lawyer and his father a banker.

7. Marcelo Bielsa

Marcelo Bielsa was born into a family of lawyers in Rosario, but his passion for football was greater. One of his brothers is even Chancellor of the Republic of Argentina.

6. Mario Götze

The 2014 World Cup winner arrived in Borussia Dortmund’s youth ranks at the age of 8. Some say it was his father’s money that helped him become a professional footballer.

5. Mido

Born in a country where not everyone has the means to succeed, Mido’s father was a footballer who showed him the way.

4. Robbin Van Persie

He always wanted to become a professional footballer. Van Persie received moral and financial support from his parents.

3. Ricardo Kakà

The Brazilian was lucky enough to be born into a very wealthy family in Brazil. Kakà also has two brothers who play football.

2. Frank Lampard

From a good footballing family, Frank Lampard’s father was a West Ham player and his uncle Harry Redknapp was a famous English football coach.

1. Gerard Piqué

Piqué was rich long before football. The Spaniard was born into a very wealthy family and studied at one of Spain’s top grammar schools.