Many players come from very poor backgrounds and have worked tirelessly to achieve their dream of becoming professional footballers, while others grew up in more affluent families.

Here are the 10 players who were rich before they became footballers accoridng to Givemesport.

Robin van Persie

Van Persie grew up in Rotterdam with the advantages of a wealthy, artistic family. His father, Bob, is a well-known artist and sculptor, while his mother, Jose Ras, is a painter, teacher, and jewelry designer.

Despite this privileged background, Van Persie struggled with rebellious behavior as a teenager, diverging from his parents’ hopes that he would follow in their artistic footsteps.

Gerrard Pique

Former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué has built his fortune, but his early life was marked by privilege. Growing up in Catalonia, Piqué enjoyed a comfortable existence with a stint at Manchester United during his youth.

His father, Joan, is a successful attorney and businessman, while his mother, Montserrat, is a hospital director in Barcelona. Additionally, his grandfather, Amador Bernabéu, was well-known as a former director of the La Liga champions, adding to the family’s notable background.

Hugo Lloris

World Cup winner’s name was inspired by Victor Hugo, the author of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Born in Nice, he grew up in an affluent environment, with his father, Luc, working as an investment banker and his mother, Marie, being a successful lawyer.

As a child, he led an upper-class lifestyle, initially taking daily tennis lessons before transitioning to football.

Andrea Pirlo

An elegant footballer both on and off the pitch, Andrea Pirlo was introduced to the finer things in life early on. His father, Luigi, established a steel company in Brescia in 1982—a venture in which Andrea still holds a stake.

After ending his career in MLS, Pirlo embraced a life of luxury, including owning a vineyard, a mark of his affluent lifestyle.

Patrick Bamford

Patrick Bamford stands out from the typical footballer with his diverse talents and academic achievements. A skilled violin and piano player, he attended the fee-paying Nottingham High School, where he earned five A*s at GCSE and studied French, history, and biology at A Level. His academic excellence even earned him a scholarship offer from Harvard.

Contrary to some claims, Bamford is not related to JCB founder Joseph Bamford. 

Will Hughes

Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes attended the prestigious Repton School in Derbyshire, the same alma mater as Jeremy Clarkson and Roald Dahl. While details about his upbringing are sparse, it’s evident he enjoyed a privileged background.

Despite this, Hughes has established himself as a tough, no-nonsense player. He’s built a solid career with Derby County, Watford, and now Crystal Palace.

Mario Gotze

Mario Götze’s father, Professor Jürgen Götze, is a respected academic currently at Dortmund University of Technology. In the 1990s, he held a research position at Yale University’s computer science department.

While Mario Götze’s talents are widely recognized, some have suggested that his father’s influence and resources may have played a role in his development at Borussia Dortmund.

Faiq Bolkiah

Former Leicester City player Faiq Bolkiah now plays for Chonburi in Thailand. He is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, whose fortune is estimated at £15 billion. His father, Jefri Bolkiah, is a brother of the Sultan, making Faiq a royal family member with a promising inheritance.

To celebrate his 50th birthday and impress Faiq, Jefri Bolkiah hired Michael Jackson for a private performance just for them.

Michael Doughty

Michael Doughty, who had stints with clubs like QPR and Swindon Town before retiring at 27, is the son of the late Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty. In 2011, Nigel Doughty, co-chairman and co-founder of a European private equity firm, had an estimated net worth of £130 million, making him the 537th wealthiest person in the UK.

Gianluca Vialli

Chelsea hero Gianluca Vialli was the son of a self-made millionaire and grew up in the grand Castello di Belgioioso in Cremona, a mansion with 60 rooms, as reported by The Guardian. Despite his luxurious upbringing, Vialli’s passion for football remained undiminished.

He enjoyed a legendary career as both a player and manager, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. Tragically, Vialli passed away in January 2023 at the age of 58 due to pancreatic cancer.