8 Players Who Were Rich Before Football

The general consensus is that footballers come from poor backgrounds and growing up in poverty. However, some of these players, unlike others, happened to be born with a silver spoon in their mouth. 

This list from MooreVibe.com shows eight famous footballers who were rich before their professional career's brought them wealth. 

1. Andrea Pirlo 

The Italian veteran had buoyant financial parents. His father is a self-made millionaire who set-up a metal company called Egl Steel. He had no pressure growing up. Andrea Pirlo in a press conference for the Italian national team. 

2. Mario Balotelli 

The Italian forward's family in Ghana were not rich, but he was adopted by a wealthy family from Brescia, Italy. Mario Balotelli on duty for the Italian national team. 

3. Hugo Lloris 

Totteham's first choice goalkeeper was one the footballer born with a silver spoon. His father was a banker while his mother was a lawyer. Hugo Lloris in action for Tottenham Hotspur. 

4. Mario Götze 

The German midfielder had a father who was a lecturer at Dortmund University, he was also a former member of Yale University's Scientific Computation Department. Mario Gotze in action for Bayern Munich 

5. Robin Van Persie 

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker had parents who were respected artists, they both supported him in his football career. Robin Van Persie in action for Fenabache 


6. Kaka 

The 2007 Ballon d'Or winner had an engineer as a father while his mother was a teacher. His parents were financially buoyant, unlike most Brazilian footballers. 

7. Frank Lampard 

Former Chelsea midfielder had one of the most significant families in the history of football. His father was a former West Ham player; also his uncle Harry Redknapp was the one who granted him his Premier League debut. He has also coached so many clubs in England. Frank Lampard in action for Chelsea. 

8. Gerard Piqué 

Barcelona defender had a father who was a successful legal representative and businessman, his mother, on the other hand, is the Director of a prestigious hospital in Barcelona. His grandfather was a former Barcelona manager; no mean feat. Gerrard Pique in action for Barcelona.

Credit: Naij

Top 10 Highest Paid Footballers - 2017

UPDATE: There's a new update for this list here

Graziano Pelle's move from the Premier League to China's Super League is set to net the striker an absolute fortune.

The 30-year-old will rake in a whopping £260,000-a-week at Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng, with the weekly wage packet rocketing the Italy international into the top 10 best paid footballers in the world.

So who does Pelle join as one of the world's highest-paid footballing stars? Here's the official top 10.

10. Thiago Silva - Paris-Saint Germain: £9.5m-a-Year

The first of three Brazilian internationals to make the list, PSG captain Thiago Silva keeps his place in the top 10 at the expense of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

The centre-half, who has resided in France for four seasons, has won 12 trophies with the Ligue 1 champions during his time in Paris.

The 31-year-old also happens to rake in a handsome sum, with his weekly wage currently standing at £182,000.

9. Jackson Martinez - Guangzhou: £10m-a-Year

Former Atletico Madrid attacker Jackson Martinez rebuffed advances from Chelsea and Liverpool to join Guangzhou Evergrande for £36m in February 2016.

And while the Colombian striker may not be playing on one of the world's biggest footballing stages, his £192,000-a-week contract probably keeps him warm enough at night.

Martinez has bagged three goals and two assists in 10 games so far for Guangzhou.

8. Ezequiel Lavezzi - Hebai China Fortune: £10.5m a-Year

Like Martinez, Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi could have opted to depart former club PSG for England's shores and join a Premier League side.

Instead, the allure of China's preposterous weekly wages was too good an opportunity to turn down, and the 31-year-old headed to the Far East for a mere £4.7m transfer fee.

Lavezzi is, however, yet to find the net for his new club, despite earning £200,000-a-week from Hebai.

7. Thomas Muller - Bayern Munich: £11.5m a-Year

The only Bundesliga star to make this list, Thomas Muller is one of two players here who has only turned out for one club throughout his career.

The 26-year-old forward is contracted to Bayern until the summer of 2021, and has resisted the urge to depart the club where he has amassed 14 trophies.

It's hard to see why when he earns over £220,000-a-week with them.

6. Graziano Pelle - Shandong Luneng: £12.5m-a-Year

Graziano Pelle's £13m move from Southampton to Shandong may seem low in terms of transfer fee, but the Italian won't care a jot thanks to his ridiculous wage packet.

The 31-year-old striker, who recently featured at Euro 2016 with his national side, will command £260,000-a-week.

If that wasn't mindboggling enough, Pelle is now the best paid Italian footballer of all time. Crazy, eh?

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Manchester United: £13m-a-Year

The second star to have left PSG in recent months, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival at Manchester United certainly set tongues wagging among the Old Trafford faithful.

And despite entering the twilight of his career (he is 34-years-old, after all), the former Sweden international can still command a decent wedge of cash.

The self-confessed 'living legend' will pocket £250,000-a-week. Not bad for someone in the final throes of their playing career.

4. Neymar - Barcelona: £15m-a-Year

Barcelona's Neymar has been courted by a host of the world's biggest clubs during the 2016 summer transfer window.

And whilst he may have a modest contract release clause of £85m, the Brazil superstar's wages may prove to be the biggest sticking point for any would-be admirer.

The 24-year-old earns just shy of £290,000-a-week as part of Barca's talented trio of strikers.

He probably deserves it for his club form alone, though.

3. Hulk - Shanghai SIPG: £16.5m-a-Year

Hulk was one of the first big names to join the Chinese footballing revolution, departing Zenit St Petersburg for a colossal £47m on July 1.

If that didn't prove that money was no object for Shanghai - currently managed by Sven Goran Eriksson - then Hulk's salary would certainly do that.

The 29-year-old striker earns a staggering £317,000-a-week in China's most populous city.

I don't know about you, but he could retire on that sum after one season!

2. Lionel Messi - Barcelona: £17m-a-Year

Perhaps surprisingly, Barcelona's Lionel Messi doesn't top the list of the highest paid footballers in the world.

The diminutive world-famous star has won 29 trophies during his club career, is Barcelona's all-time record goalscorer and, like Muller, has only played for one club.

The 29-year-old is rewarded for his talents and effort with a wage of £330,000-a-week, which is perhaps just recompense for what he's achieved with the La Liga giants.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid: £18m-a-Year

If it wasn't Messi topping this list, it had to be football's other world-famous star who did.

Cristiano Ronaldo's astronomical £345,000-a-week wage packet sees him come out on top as the highest-paid footballer in the world.

Portugal's captain even went one better than Messi by winning a title on the international stage last year - lifting the Euro 2016 trophy after his national side's 1-0 triumph over France.

The 31-year-old striker just needs a World Cup to complete the set, and he can bow out of the game gracefully. Well, maybe not so gracefully..

Hilarious! 7 CRAZY Photos of Antonio Conte’s Celebrations

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has personally taken goal celebration a notch further as he swung on the dugout-bar when Gary Cahill netted the winner against Stoke City on Saturday, March 18; a tie his side won 2 - 1 away from home.

The Italian tactician is highly noted for his comical display on the sidelines, an act that once infuriated Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho.

Recall that in October 2016, when the Red Devils suffered a humiliating 4 - 0 bashing at the Stamford Bridge, a match which reunited the ‘Special One’ with his former home Chelsea; Mourinho blasted Conte for ‘lacking respect’ with his form of celebration after the game.

Below are 7 photos of Antonio Conte celebrating into the heavens as Chelsea look good to winning the Premier League in his first spell at the club.

Conte almost ripped-off the reserved stand in celebration of a goal

He sometimes goes into the crowd

This will surely remind you of the late pop legend Michael Jackson

How he celebrated Gary Cahill's winning goal against Stoke

He surely knows how to party

Catch him if you can

Antonio Conte is a totally CRAZY coach, these 7 celebration photos prove just that

‘I Want To Play In English Premier League’- Neymar

Barcelona superstar, Neymar has said he would love to play for an English Premier League‎ football team at some stage in his career.

The 25-year-old, who recently signed a new five-year deal to keep him at the Nou Camp until at least 2021, said this in a chat with SunSport

Neymar hinted that a big-money offer from an English side could prize him away from Spain to England.

He also highlighted the unpredictability of the Premier League and its title race, which has seen four different champions in the last four years – including Leicester’s shock success last season.

He said: “The Premier League is a championship that amazes me.

“I like the playing style and the teams. And who knows, someday, I would like to play at it, yes.

“I admire Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool — these are the teams that are always there fighting.

“And then you have high-level coaches like [Jose] Mourinho and [Pep] Guardiola. These are coaches with whom any player would like to work.

“In the Premier League you never know who is going to win or who will be champions, it is always a surprise.”

7 Football Stars That Should Have Been Banned For Life (See Them)

Football arguably is the most followed sport around the globe; sadly as quite entertaining as the game is, some players have shown the odd side of it, and they should have been banned.

The players are the major actors in this match, but some famous footballers have done some nasty things on the field in which many pundits claimed that they should have been banned for life.

Here we take a look at some players who should have been sent away from football for their entire life.

1. Duncan Ferguson

Ferguson was one of the players who was very cruel on the field of play during his days at Everton’, and in 1995, the player was sent to three months in prison for a dangerous tackle on John McCay who was playing then for Raith Rovers.

Many claimed after the incident that he should have been banned for life after the disastrous tackle.

2. Jermaine Pennant

The former Liverpool player was in 2005 arrested and charged with drink driving and was banned for 16 months not to drive because of his off-the-pitch antics.

During questioning, Pennant gave a wrong identification of himself and was sent to 90 days in prison, although he was released on parole after 30 days.

3. Luis Suarez

The Barcelona striker is one of the players whose playing career is full of controversies as it would be recalled how the forward racially abused French left-back Patrice Evra.

His biting acts also has made many to have suggested that the player should not grace the field of play anymore.

4. Eric Cantona

The former Manchester United star is among the players whose playing career was full of gross indiscipline ranging from assaulting match officials and opponents on the field of play. Cantona would also go as far as fighting the fans watching from the stands.

5. Nile Ranger

Ranger was one of the promising strikers that were tipped for success when he featured for Newcastle United, but he was involved in many disciplinary issues which include his involvement in the armed robbery and was found guilty which decimated his career.

6. Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll is another player many pundits claimed should have been banned for the series of arrests and charges in the year 2008, 2009 and 2010 as he was involved in many off pitch embarrassing activities.

7. Joey Barton

Barton is another player who was involved in so many controversies which many claimed he should have been banned considering what he has done.

Far back in 2004, Barton angrily stubbed a lit cigar which was directly into the face of Jamie Tandy who was a player of Manchester City. Barton was also sentenced to six months in jail after punching a man 20 times.

6 Reasons Nigerian Youths Engage In Sports Betting

Well, be as it may, Nigerians have taken solace in sports betting.‎ It’s now a new normal in Nigeria to see young people, especially, on the streets and queues struggling their way to place their bets on the five top leagues in world football.

Sports Betting Agent

The English Premier League, Spanish Primera La Liga, Italian Serie A, German‎ Bundesliga and the French league. Other minor leagues are also not excluded. In short, Nigerian youths have seen sport betting as another way to make put food on their table.

Why do many Nigerian youths engage in Sports betting? Here are the reasons why.

1. Unemployment: The high rate of unemployment in Nigeria has‎ been responsible for the wild spread of sports betting in Nigeria. With so many youths pouring their money into it to get returns on investment. It is a two-way thing; others may have lost out, but a‎ lot of them have made huge cash. And it has put food on the tables of many as well.

2. Influence: Sports betting is pervasive such that it is viewed in‎ Nigerian society as ‘normal thing – ‘almost everybody around you is involved and this serve as a ready influence.

3. Love of Sports: The love of sports by many Nigerian youths is also the reasons behind sports betting. Nigerians are sports lovers.

4. More engagement in sports: Besides the money, a lot of people make from sports betting, it has also polished their participation in sports, in that they keep close tabs on games that they have staked on.

5. Economic Condition: The financial status has given way to why many Nigerian youths engage in sports betting. The‎ environment is not safe for businesses. Some don’t even have such enough huge capital to start up. They rather go for sports betting- that they don’t have to spend much on it.

6. It is a Pot of Gold: Access to fast, risk-free cash is one of the reasons many people engage in sports betting. It is stress-free, and direct access to money. Greed also comes into play. It could be tagged as a ‘business’ that you invest in as little as N50 to win as much as any amount if the predictions are correct. Who wouldn’t be enticed with such bait?

Do you agree with Us? – Kindly Join the Conversation and Let us know from your point of View why you think Nigerian youths engage in Sports Betting?

Drop your Comments.

Check Out The Four Reasons Lionel Messi Is The Greatest Footballer Ever (No. 2 Awesome)

No doubt Barcelona star Lionel Messi could be considered the best player to have on planet earth colors of their achievements in the game is easy to reconcile.

Argentina international has been at the forefront of outstanding achievement for the Catalan club and has increased its value as a player with his perfect performance in the field.

Messi

At 29, few players have been able to meet their standards when he does what he does best.

Here are four reasons Messi is the best player in history:

1 in accordance shooter

One of the reasons for the 29-year-old has become the best thing that happened in the round leather game that continues year after year to knock the goals of the club and country.

Messi had 89 goals in the Champions League, League 253 strikes and 399 goals for Barcelona and scored 56 goals for Argentina.

2. Record Breaker

The fact is that the band plays Argentina's results many of these objectives and come with attached files. In 2012, Messi scored more goals in a calendar year, with 91 hits.

Also, it remains the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi and Golden Boot in the same season.

3. quality of leadership

Despite many goals to his name, Messi is a team player - it is better to build attacks with what his teammates in the game and the division of defense through the first opposing defense cuts.

Messi, Suarez, Neymar (MSN) is a combination of evidence of the direction of Argentina in Barcelona attack, which produced 126 goals between them.

4. Laureles

In total, Messi has won 29 trophies for Barcelona, ​​which include; Eight titles four trophies Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup trophies September 4 champion three European Super Cups and three World Cup football club.

Portuguese Legend, Luis Figo Says Cristiano Ronaldo Is Not Portugal’s Best Ever (See Why)

Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Real Madrid and Barcelona winger, Luis Figo has said Cristiano Ronaldo is not at par with Portuguese legend Eusebio, even though he never saw the striker play.

Figo insists Ronaldo cannot yet be considered the best player Portugal has ever produced even though the 31-year old have won the Ballon d’Or thrice, scoring 488 goals in just 674 matches and won 12 major honours during his career with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, he said: “I admire Cristiano and enjoy seeing his achievements.

“He just gets better every year. He’s making football history.

“But even though I never saw Eusebio play, I would put him at number one for everything he stands for, for the love he showed me, his friendship and his advice.

“Everyone will say that I say that for this reason or that reason but ultimately it’s just about respect. Everyone makes history in their own time.”

On the international level, Ronaldo has won 133 caps scoring 61 goals more than any other Portugal player.

However, Figo believes the Real Madrid star has not done enough to be termed as the best player, even in Portugal, pitching Eusebio ahead of CR7.

Eusebio who died 2014, scored 733 goals in 745 matches, won the Ballon d’Or in 1965 and also led Benfica to win 11 major trophies in his 15 years at the club.

But Luis Figo who himself could be regarded as a Legend said that football is more than just about statistics.

Manchester United Coach, Jose Mourinho Blames Referee For Manchester Derby Defeat... Do You Agree??

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho accused referee Mark Clattenburg of denying Manchester United two clear penalties as he suffered his first defeat of the season in the Old Trafford derby. According To Dailymail.

Mourinho was adamant that Clattenburg should have sent off Claudio Bravo and awarded United a spot-kick after Manchester City’s new goalkeeper lunged into a challenge with Wayne Rooney in the second half shortly before the official rejected United’s claims for handball against Nicolas Otamendi.

‘We were punished by Mark with his bad decisions in the second half,’ said Mourinho.

‘I know the rules of the game. It’s obvious that it’s a penalty and a red card for Bravo. If it’s outside the box, it’s a direct free kick and a red card.

‘Inside the box it has to be the same. Even the best referees can make mistakes, and he made a big one.

‘It’s a big possibility of 2-2 with a long time to go, and we’re talking about a completely different story.

‘The second penalty is Otamendi’s handball. Some of you will say it’s not a penalty. I say 100 per cent. Otamendi tries to stop the cross in the face of the goal, but the cross comes behind him. He knows and he brings the second arm back. Clear penalty.’

Do you agree with Mourinho?

Manchester City Defeats Manchester United At Old Trafford, See Match Analysis #ManchesterDerby

Rooney

came out on top in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford as he renewed hostilities with managerial nemesis Jose Mourinho.

City threatened to humiliate United in a dominant first-half display, racing to a 2-0 lead through goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho.

But a mistake by City keeper Claudio Bravo, making his debut following his move from Barcelona, allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to pull a goal back for United.

Mourinho threw on young striker Marcus Rashford after the break, and the 18-year-old had the ball in the net, but the goal was disallowed after coming off Ibrahimovic, who was offside.

Getty

Welcome to Manchester: Guardiola and Mourinho pre-match

Reuters

Bagged the opener: De Bruyne celebrates putting City in front

Bravo, brought in to replace England keeper Joe Hart, endured a jittery debut and was lucky not to concede a penalty and be sent off for a reckless lunge on Wayne Rooney after the Chilean had lost control of the ball inside his own area.

De Bruyne nearly made it 3-1 to City when he burst through on goal in the second-half, but his shot cannoned off the inside of David De Gea's near post and scurried across the goal-line to safety.

It mattered not, as City held on to preserve their 100 per cent start to the season and consign Mourinho to his first defeat as United boss.

Here's five things we learned:

1. City show depth of attacking options

Getty

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring City's second goal

The enforced absence of star striker Sergio Aguero, serving the first of a three-game ban for violent conduct, was seen as a major disadvantage for City.

But Pep Guardiola showed the range of attacking options he has at his disposal by picking young forward Kelechi Iheanacho to lead the line.

The teenager justified his manager's decision with an assist and a goal, before coming off early in the second half for tactical reasons. City proved they are not reliant on Aguero.

2. Mourinho got his team selection wrong

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Jose Mourinho reacts as his side toiled

With only 24 minutes gone, and United trailing 1-0, Mourinho instructed Martial, Mata, Rashford and later Herrera to warm up, knowing he had picked the wrong starting-line up and change was needed.

Selecting Mkhitaryan and Lingard for their first competitive starts under him backfired, the former looking like he was still feeling the effects of a rib injury, while Lingard, making his return after injury, was also off the pace, although they were by no means alone, with none of United's players justifying their selection.

Marcus Rashford should have started, his introduction after the break bringing fresh impetus to United's play.

3. De Bruyne comes back to haunt Mourinho

Troublesome: De Bruyne had an excellent first half, scoring and making another

Not deemed good enough by Mourinho at Chelsea, De Bruyne came back to haunt his former boss, scoring City's opener and having a hand in their second, after his angled shot came back off a a post, into the path of Iheanacho for the simplest of finishes.

De Bruyne was afforded so much freedom by United and took full advantage, punishing United for their slack defending and lack of focus at the back.

De Bruyne should have claimed his second goal and made it 3-1 deep into the second-half, but his low shot struck the inside of David De Gea's near post in a let-off for United.

4. Blind and Bailly defensive partnership exposed

Reuters

David Silva rides a challenge from Eric Bailly

Mourinho kept faith with Bailly and Blind in central defence, after their impressive start to the season and the understanding they had developed as a pairing.

But both endured afternoons they will want to forget, particularly Blind, who let De Bruyne through for City's opener, then played Iheanacho onside for the visitors' second goal.

Bailly was also at fault for the first goal, failing to jump with Iheanacho, whose glancing header found De Bruyne. Blind has always been a temporary solution in defence for United and showed why United need to bring in another centre-half of stature.

5. Bravo fails to justify his inclusion

Reuters

Wayne Rooney down after a challenge with Claudio Bravo

Having jettisoned Hart, Guardiola handed his replacement, Bravo, his City debut, but the former Barcelona keeper was at fault for United's first goal, clashing with John Stones and dropping the ball, allowing Ibrahimovic to pull one back with an exquisite finish.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores for Manchester United after Bravo's mistake

It was a big call to hand Bravo his debut in a game of such significance and intensity, and the Chilean was lucky to escape a red card for a reckless lunge on Rooney when he mis-controlled the ball inside his own area.

Wonder what Hart would have made of such an error-strewn debut by his replacement?

Credit: UK Mirror