Top 5 Football Players and Their Business

Football players often capture our attention with their exceptional skills, mesmerizing performances, and unrivaled dedication to the game. There is a fascinating dimension to these sporting icons that extends far beyond the boundaries of the pitch, they often discover their entrepreneurial spirit and venture into the world of business, showing their talent beyond the sport.

From Food & Beverage to fashion or even hospitality. They have harnessed their fame, financial resources, and personal interests to build successful enterprises. While their on-field exploits garner widespread acclaim, it is their endeavours off the pitch that provide a glimpse into the diverse and dynamic personalities behind the jerseys.

1. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has expanded his horizons beyond spots and ventured into numerous business endeavours. In 2020, Messi launched a brand “Messi” that focused on lifestyle and fashion products. This brand reflects his personal lifestyle and values, which showcases his influence and appeal off the field.

Messi has also made significant investments in real estate, especially in Rosario, Argentina, and other locations, among which is the development of luxury residential projects. Messi co-owns a luxury hotel, “Azahares del Parana” with his childhood friend and business partner, Diego Vallejos. The hotel offers an exclusive and elegant experience for guests.

The next venture is not a business in the traditional sense, as the Leo Messi Foundation focuses on providing access to education and healthcare for vulnerable children worldwide. Messi shows his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the football field through involvement and support in various charitable initiatives.

Lionel Messi was born on June 24, 1987, born in Rosario, Argentina. Messi is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, his career in FC Barcelona, where he spent a majority of his career and has won numerous championships. He was awarded a record-breaking seven times, the FIFA Ballon d’Or as of 2021. Known for his playing styles, which consists of exceptional dribbling, close ball control, agility, and quickness. He is known for incredible vision, precise passing, and creating scoring opportunities. These have made him a standout player throughout his career, due to his goal-scoring ability and him producing moments of individual brilliance.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo launched his own brand, CR7 which is involved in multiple industries, including lifestyle, fitness and hospitality. His lifestyle brand contains various product lines, including clothing, footwear, and fragrance. On the hospitality side, he collaborated with Pestana Hotel Group to own a chain of luxury hotels, Pestana CR7. They are located in various cities, such as Lisbon, Madeira, Madrid, and New York.

Ronaldo has also ventured into the food and beverage industry, with investments such as Zela Restaurant in London. It offers a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. He has also opened CR7 Corner Bakery & Cafe in Lisbon, providing a cozy atmosphere and a range of delectable treats.

CR7 fitness centred are state-of-the-art gyms that provide premium facilities and personalized training programs. Ronaldo also has a museum showcases significant moments from his life and career, called CR7 Museu. It is located in his hometown of Funchal, Madeira, showcasing numerous individual awards, trophies, memorabilia, and highlights from his football journey.

Showing an interest in aviation, Ronaldo partnered with Seven Air to establish the SevenAir Ronaldo Flight Academy. It is located in Portugal, offering pilot training programs, to inspire aspiring aviators.

Christiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. He began his professional career at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, before moving to Manchester United in 2003. Ronaldo is known for his exceptional speed, agility and aerial prowess, which earned him many accolades and records. He is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Ronaldo is also known for his philanthropy and charismatic personality. He has been involved in various charitable endeavours and has used his platform to make a positive impact on society.

Advertisement

3. David Beckham

David Beckham as invested in a range of businesses sine rising to fame. Some of the most notable businesses include Inter Miami CF, where Beckham is the co-owner of. They are a professional soccer team founded in 2018 based in Miami, Florida before competing in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2020. In 2020, Beckham also became a co-owner and global ambassador for Guild Esports, who competes in esports tournaments and leagues.

Beckham manages his business interests and investments through his company, DB Ventures. It oversees all projects and partnerships, including Haig Club. Haig Club was launched in partnership with British liquor company, Diageo and British entrepreneur, Simon Fuller. Haig Club is known for its distinctive square blue bottle. Seven Global was co-founded by Beckham, and it focuses on developing and commercialising brands in the sports, fashion, and entertainment sectors. Beckham is a global ambassador and co-owner Kent & Curwen, a British heritage fashion brand. He played a significant role in reviving the brand's image and modernising its designs.

David Beckham was born on May 2, 1975, in Leytonstone, London, England. He gained worldwide fame for his exceptional skills as well as iconic fashion sense and celebrity status. His professional football career has spanned over 20 years, where he played in several top clubs, such as Manchester United and Real Madrid. He primarily played as a midfielder, known for his accurate passing, long-range free kicks, and crossing ability.

He has been involved in various charitable endeavours, and he co-founded Soccer Aid, a charity football match held to raise funds for UNICEF annually. The match features a mix of former professional football players and celebrities.

4. Neymar Jr.

Neymar owns a company, Neymar Sport Marketing, that manages his personal brand, where it plays a role in shaping Neymar’s image and commercial partnerships. It handles endorsements, sponsorships and licensing deals. Neymar Sports is his line of sports equipment and apparel, it offers a range of products such as football boots, clothing and accessories.

Neymar ventured into the gaming industry with Neymar Gaming, focusing on developing and promoting esports events, content and partnerships. This is due to his passion for gaming and participation in various esports competitions. He also partnered with Panini, a comic book publisher to create Neymar comics. It aims to project Neymar’s passion for football and storytelling on comic books, where he is the main character. It incorporates elements of his life and career. Neymar also collaborated with Gagà Milano, a luxury watch brand to create a limited edition line of watches. The watches feature his personal branding and design elements.

He has been involved in various charitable endeavours, and he founded Instituto Neymar Jr., a non-profit organization based in Brazil. It focuses on providing education and social support to underprivileged children and families, providing help in areas such as health, education, and social assistance.

5. Andrés Iniesta

In 2010, Iniesta collaborated with Bodegas Iniesta, a winery based in his hometown of Fuentealbilla, Spain. The winery was originally established by his family and Iniesta has been actively involved in the promotion and marketing of the winery's products. Under the brand name "Corazón Loco”, Bodegas Iniesta offers a range of wines, including red, white, and rosé varieties. The winery focuses on combining traditional winemaking techniques with modern practices to produce high-quality wines. This showcases his personal interest in the wine industry and his desire to contribute to his hometown's local economy.

Iniesta co-founded MiM Sports, a sports management agency based in Barcelona. They represent and manage the careers of professional athletes, providing services such as contract negotiations, marketing, and endorsements. Iniesta has also ventured into the film production industry with Sardar films. It is a production company that aims to support and produce quality films, documentaries, and audiovisual projects. Working with former Spanish national teammate Fernando Torres, Iniesta has invested in real estate development projects. Iniesta & Torres Desarrollos Inmobiliarios focuses on constructing residential and commercial properties.

Andrés Iniesta was born on May 11, 1984 in Fuentealbilla, Spain. He is a retired Spanish professional football player widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He possessed exceptional technical skills, vision, and a detailed understanding of the game. He was known for his close ball control, precise passing, and ability to dictate the tempo of matches, and was admired for his quick decision-making, agility, and ability to navigate through tight spaces.

Iniesta spent the majority of his career at FC Barcelona, where he became an integral part of the team's midfield.

Advertisement