Footballers are no longer just athletes dazzling on the pitch; many have emerged as savvy investors, eager to secure a lasting stake in the game they love by owning football clubs. This shift reflects a blend of financial acumen and a deep-rooted passion for the sport, as these icons transition from scoring goals to steering clubs toward success. From Kylian Mbappé’s bold acquisition of Stade Malherbe Caen to David Beckham’s high-profile venture with Inter Miami, these players are rewriting their legacies as owners.

Kylian Mbappé - Stade Malherbe Caen (France)

Kylian Mbappé, the French superstar and Real Madrid forward, acquired a majority stake in Stade Malherbe Caen in July 2024 through his family’s investment fund, Coalition Capital. The purchase, reportedly costing around €15-20 million, saw him take an 80% share of the Ligue 2 club based in Caen, Normandy, France. Mbappé, who had trials with the club as a youth, aimed to stabilize its finances and push for a return to Ligue 1, where it last competed in 2019. The deal included clearing part of the club’s debts, previously estimated at over €9 million. 

Ronaldo Nazário - Real Valladolid (Spain)

Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário became the majority owner of Real Valladolid on September 3, 2018, purchasing a 51% stake for €30 million. The club, based in Valladolid, Spain, plays in La Liga 2 after a history of fluctuating between Spain’s top two divisions. Ronaldo, a former star for Barcelona and Real Madrid, later increased his stake to 82%, serving as club president. His tenure has been marked by a yo-yo pattern, with promotions in 2018 and 2022, and relegations in 2021 and 2023. Despite financial struggles and fan criticism, Ronaldo has emphasized competitiveness and transparency.

Héctor Bellerín - Forest Green Rovers (England)

Héctor Bellerín, the Spanish full-back known for his environmental activism, became the second-largest shareholder of Forest Green Rovers in September 2020. Based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, England, the club competes in League Two and is renowned as the world’s first carbon-neutral football club. Bellerín, a vegan and former Arsenal player, invested alongside chairman Dale Vince, drawn by the club’s sustainability ethos. 

N’Golo Kanté - Royal Excelsior Virton (Belgium)

N’Golo Kanté, the humble French midfielder, purchased Royal Excelsior Virton on June 29, 2023, becoming its chairman. The club, located in Virton, southern Belgium, plays in the Belgian National Division 1, the country’s third tier. Kanté, then transitioning from Chelsea to Al-Ittihad, acquired the club from Flavio Becca, aiming to preserve its legacy after a 10th-place finish in the prior season. Known for his exemplary character, Kanté’s ownership is seen as a altruistic move to support football development rather than a profit-driven venture. His involvement has brought global attention to the small club, though significant on-field progress remains a work in progress as he balances his playing career with this new responsibility.

Ryan Giggs - Salford City (England)

Ryan Giggs, a Manchester United legend, co-purchased Salford City in 2014 alongside his “Class of ‘92” teammates. Based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, the club now competes in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Initially in the eighth tier, Giggs, with Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and later David Beckham, partnered with Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, who owns 50%. 

Wilfried Zaha - AFC Croydon Athletic (England)

Wilfried Zaha, the Ivorian winger, became a co-owner of AFC Croydon Athletic in 2023, though exact dates remain unclear. Based in Croydon, South London, England, the club plays in the Southern Counties East League Division One, part of the ninth tier of English football. Zaha, a Crystal Palace star, joined forces with musician Stormzy and former Palace head of care Danny Young to revive the club after its 2019 dissolution due to financial issues. 

Didier Drogba - Phoenix Rising FC (United States)

Didier Drogba, the Chelsea icon, joined Phoenix Rising FC as a minority owner and player in April 2017. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the club competes in the USL Championship, the second tier of U.S. soccer. Drogba’s investment made him the first player-owner in football history, contributing both on and off the field until his 2018 retirement. The club, founded in 2014, has aimed for MLS expansion under his influence, though that goal remains unmet due to high costs.

Gerard Piqué - Andorra FC (Spain)

Gerard Piqué, the former Barcelona defender, acquired FC Andorra in December 2018 via his Kosmos Holding Group. Located in Andorra la Vella, Andorra, the club competes in Spain’s Segunda División despite being from a separate principality. Piqué’s takeover rescued the club from financial distress, propelling it from the fifth tier to the second by 2022. His vision blends business acumen with football passion, leveraging Andorra’s unique status within the Spanish system. 

Zlatan Ibrahimović - Hammarby IF (Sweden)

Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Swedish football icon, acquired a 23.5% stake in Hammarby IF in November 2019 through a deal with AEG, later increasing it to nearly 50%. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, the club plays in the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top division. Zlatan, a Malmö native, stirred controversy with fans due to rivalries, but his investment reflects a desire to shape Swedish football. 

Gary & Phil Neville - Salford City (England)

Gary and Phil Neville, alongside their “Class of ‘92” peers, bought Salford City in 2014. Located in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, the club now plays in League Two after a rapid ascent from the eighth tier. The brothers, with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and later David Beckham, partnered with Peter Lim, who holds 50%. Gary, a prominent pundit, and Phil, a coach, have driven Salford’s professionalization, including a color change to red and white. Their hands-on approach, documented in a BBC series, has yielded Football League entry by 2019, with aspirations to reach the Championship, showcasing their Manchester United-honed expertise in club-building.

David Beckham - Inter Miami (United States)

David Beckham exercised a 2007 MLS contract clause to buy Inter Miami for $25 million in 2014, launching the club in 2018. Based in Miami, Florida, it debuted in Major League Soccer in 2020. Beckham, a former LA Galaxy star, co-owns the franchise, which soared in value to over $1 billion after signing Lionel Messi in 2023.