Football remains a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees. Unknown to most of us, many footballers have their siblings who are also creating legacies and building up a proficient career.
Today at NaijaVibes we will reveal to you a list of football siblings you didn’t know existed. These players have been on the pitch for some years, and believe it you would get thrilled and enticed by this revelation.
Although there have undoubtedly been many successful siblings in football throughout history, the list stands out among the many other siblings who have also shown keen interest in playing the game.
Buckle up while we present to you a list of football siblings you didn’t know existed.
1. Harry Maguire and Laurence Maguire
Jacob Harry Maguire is an English professional footballer born on 5 March 1993 he plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. Maguire came through the youth system at Sheffield United before graduating to the first team in 2011. He made 166 appearances for United and was the club’s Player of the Year three seasons in succession, also featuring in the PFA Team of the Year for League One as many times.
On the other hand, is Laurence Henry Maguire, his younger brother, born 8 February 1997, also an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Chesterfield. He will join Milton Keynes Dons on 1 July 2024.
2. Alisson Becker and Muriel Becker
Álisson Ramsés Becker, known as Alisson Becker or simply Alisson, is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as the goalkeeper for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazil national team. Alisson is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he is known for his shot-stopping, distribution and ability in one-on-one situations.
Muriel Gustavo Becker, simply known as Muriel, Alisson’s elder brother, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Vitória. Muriel was born on 14 February 1987.
Both brothers maintain the same roles in their respective careers. What a gene!
3. Toni Kroos and Felix Kroos
As we all know, Toni Kroos is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid and the German national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he is known for his vision, passing, creativity, crossing and set-piece ability. With 34 titles won, Kroos is the most successful German football player.
Felix Kroos the younger brother of German International midfielder Toni Kroos, is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Hansa Rostock, Werder Bremen, Union Berlin, and Eintracht Braunschweig and represented Germany at international levels U16 through U21.
4. Nacho and Alex Fernandez
José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias known as Nacho is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or full-back for the La Liga team, Real Madrid, which he captains, and the Spain national team.
Nacho has spent his continuous career with his club, Real Madrid after making his debut with the first team in 2011, making over 300 appearances and winning several trophies, including a joint record for six Champions Leagues, a record shared with Paco Gento, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal. Nacho has won a total of 26 trophies at Real Madrid, making him the joint most decorated player in the club’s history (alongside Luka Modrić).
His younger brother, Alejandro “Álex” Fernández Iglesias known as Alex Fernandez is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Cádiz.
5. Sami Khedira and Rani Khedira
German former professional footballer, Sami Khedira played as a central midfielder. He began his career at VfB Stuttgart, winning the Bundesliga in 2007, before moving to Real Madrid in 2010. In his five seasons in Spain, he won seven domestic and international trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2014. In 2015, he moved to Italian side Juventus on a free transfer, and won the Serie A title and Coppa Italia in his first three seasons with the club, followed by two more league titles and a Supercoppa Italiana.
His brother Rani is also a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Union Berlin.
6. Chris, Joe, and Mattew Willock
Christopher Anthony Willock is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers. Chris who played for Arsenal U19 in 2015, also lasted with the Gunners from 2016-17 before heading to Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
Joe is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Newcastle United. Joe Willock started his youth and senior career playing in Arsenal from year 2014 to 2021 before The Magpies came for him.
Matthew Anthony Willock is a former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. Born in England, he represents the Montserrat national team. He played his youth career in Arsenal and Machester United, then advanced fully to the Red Devil’s senior team in the year 2017-19 before heading to FC Utrecht on loan.
7. Florent Malouda and Lesly Malouda
Legendary football star, Florent Johan Malouda! Florent Malouda is a football coach and former professional player who played as a midfielder. Born in French Guiana, he represented both France and French Guiana at international level.
As a talented and satisfied left-winger, he spent most of his career at Lyon and Chelsea, winning four consecutive Ligue 1 titles with the former and the UEFA Champions League in 2012 with the latter, among other honours.
His brother, Lesly Marguerite Malouda is a French Guianan former professional footballer who played as a defender.
8. Romelu and Jordan Lukaku
The 31-year Belgian player, Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Roma, on loan from Premier League club Chelsea, and also a Belgium national team player.
Romelu Lukaku began his senior club career playing for Anderlecht, where he won a Belgian Pro League title and finished as the league’s top goalscorer. In 2011, he joined Chelsea in a transfer worth £10 million (€12 million), but limited playing time resulted in loans to West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
In 2021, Romelu Lukaku returned to Chelsea in a club-record transfer worth £97.5 million (€115 million), becoming the seventh-most expensive player, the most expensive Belgian player and, at the time, the most expensive player of all time in cumulative transfer fees. However, after one season, he was sent out on loan back to Italy to Inter Milan and Roma.
Romelu’s younger brother Jordan Zacharie Lukaku Menama Mokelenge, is also a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for the TFF First League team, Adanaspor. While starting his football career in Anderlecht he made nine appearances for the first team, before joining Oostende in 2013. Moreover, he was signed by Lazio in 2016, making 85 total appearances and being loaned to Antwerp and Vicenza before signing for Ponferradina.
9. Yaya Toure and Kolo Toure
One of football’s best-known rival brothers, the Toures!
Ivorian professional football coach and former footballer Gnégnéri Yaya Touré played centre defence for Barcelona in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, despite his early desire to be a striker.
Touré aspired to be a striker during his youth. However, he spent the majority of his career as a box-to-box midfielder for club and country, where he has been regarded as one of the world’s best players in his position. One of the greatest African players of all time, Touré was voted African Footballer of the Year for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. He played over 100 matches for the club and was part of the historic Barcelona team that won six trophies in a calendar year, in 2009. In 2010, Touré moved to Premier League club Manchester City, where he scored a number of key goals, most notably the only goals in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final and final. He also helped City earn their first league title in 44 years.
He is the younger brother to Kolo Touré and is currently an assistant coach for the Saudi Arabia national team.
Furthermore, Kolo Abib Toure is an Ivorian-based professional football coach and former player. They played as defenders for the national teams of Ivory Coast, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
In 2002, Kolo Touré moved to the English team, Arsenal where he made 326 appearances for the club and was a member of the 03–04 ‘invincibles’ side. In 2009, he moved to Manchester City, where he was joined a year later by his younger brother, Yaya Touré, helping City earn their first league title in 44 years. In 2013, Touré signed for Liverpool. He is one of the eight players who have won the Premier League with two clubs, having won it with Arsenal and City. He also won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup with Celtic. He remains to date the African player with the most Premier League appearances (353 in total).
He most recently managed Championship club Wigan Athletic.
10. Christian and Jonathan Benteke
Belgian footballer, Christian Benteke is a professional player who plays as a striker for Major League Soccer club D.C. United and the Belgium national team. Benteke began his career at Standard Liège, playing a part in their 2008–09 Belgian First Division triumph. Following a season at Genk he was signed for £7 million by Aston Villa. He spent a single season at Liverpool, scoring a total of 10 goals, before being transferred to Crystal Palace at the start of the 2016–17 season.
Jonathan Benteke Lifeka is a Belgian footballer who plays as a forward for UT Pétange in Luxembourg.
As we finally put the list to an end, hopefully, this thrilled your moment! Stay tuned for more interesting content.
