When folks discuss footballers success tales, they usually lean into the traditional “rags to riches” story. the drill, gamers who grew up with nothing, kicking balls barefoot, grinding their approach from dusty streets to international stardom. 

And sure, these tales are inspiring. However there’s one other facet that doesn’t get informed as usually, some footballers had been already residing the great life lengthy earlier than their first skilled contract.

Not each footballer performed to flee poverty. The truth is, just a few of them might’ve comfortably lived off household fortunes or pursued different comfortable careers. However they selected soccer, not out of desperation, however ardour. Listed here are some gamers who had been born into privilege and nonetheless made it to the highest.

Gerard Piqué

Piqué didn’t simply develop up in Barcelona, he grew up with Barcelona. His grandfather was as soon as the membership’s vice-president, his father was a profitable lawyer and businessman, and his mom ran a spinal damage hospital. He studied at a top-tier faculty, and later earned a grasp’s diploma from Harvard. With that sort of pedigree, Piqué might’ve been something. However he nonetheless selected soccer, and made it work.

Gianluca Vialli

How wealthy was Vialli’s upbringing? Attempt rising up in a 60-room fort in Italy. His father was a self-made millionaire, and their household proudly described themselves as bourgeois. Even after attaining soccer fame, Vialli nonetheless holidayed within the household property. Some youngsters dream of castles – Vialli grew up in a single.

Andrea Pirlo

Class on and off the pitch, Pirlo got here from cash. His father ran a affluent metal firm in Italy, and Pirlo himself nonetheless holds shares in it. Lengthy earlier than lifting World Cups and Champions League trophies, he was already sipping wine from his household’s winery. Pirlo as soon as mentioned, “I don’t discuss cash,” and that is sensible – while you’ve by no means needed to stress over it.

Mario Götze

The person who scored Germany’s World Cup-winning purpose in 2014 had greater than soccer going for him. His father was a revered engineering professor, who even frolicked instructing at Yale. They lived in Texas for some time throughout his dad’s educational profession. So whereas Götze carved out his personal identify, the household brainpower and stability undoubtedly helped form his early path.

Gianluca Vialli

How wealthy was Vialli’s upbringing? Attempt rising up in a 60-room fort in Italy. His father was a self-made millionaire, and their household proudly described themselves as bourgeois. Even after attaining soccer fame, Vialli nonetheless holidayed within the household property. Some youngsters dream of castles, Vialli grew up in a single.

Kaká

Whereas many Brazilian footballers needed to struggle their approach out of favelas, Kaká’s story was totally different. His father was a civil engineer, and his mom a instructor. They lived in a rich neighborhood, and he attended personal faculty. Kaká had each training and alternative and used each to full impact, ultimately profitable the Ballon d’Or.

Robin van Persie

Soccer might have introduced him fame, however artwork constructed his basis. Van Persie’s father is a famend sculptor, whereas his mom is a painter and jewelry designer. Rising up in a inventive and comfy family in Rotterdam, Van Persie had all of the help and freedom – to discover his skills, each on canvas and on the pitch.

Julian Brandt

Germany’s Julian Brandt isn’t simply recognized for his silky footwork – he’s additionally acquired a stable household base. His father, Jürgen Brandt, is a revered youth coach and sports activities director. With steering, stability, and entry to high quality services from a younger age, Julian’s path into skilled soccer was paved with help and construction.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai comes from a household closely concerned in soccer and enterprise. His father, a former participant turned coach, helped construct an academy for younger skills, with Dominik because the standout star. Mix that with monetary backing and correct connections, and also you’ve acquired a younger participant whose journey was fastidiously mapped out from day one.

Hugo Lloris

Lloris, France’s World Cup-winning keeper, had a golden begin. His mom was a lawyer, and his father labored as a high-flying funding banker in Monte Carlo. Every day tennis classes? Yep. Non-public training? Completely. Lloris would possibly’ve regarded just like the everyman goalie on the pitch, however his off-field life was something however strange.

Frank Lampard

It’s no secret that soccer runs deep within the Lampard household. Frank’s father, Frank Lampard Sr., was a West Ham legend, and his uncle, Harry Redknapp, was a Premier League supervisor. However past soccer, Frank additionally grew up in affluence. He attended personal faculty and later earned spectacular educational {qualifications}, together with an A* in Latin. Good, wealthy, and soccer royalty? Verify, verify, and verify.