Football Stars Turn Club Owners: A New Trend in Indian Football?
Famous Players Investing in Football Clubs
From the pitches of Europe to the United States, football superstars are making a name for themselves off the field by becoming club owners. This new trend has seen players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe invest in football clubs, raising questions about the future of football ownership.
- Kylian Mbappe: The French striker acquired 80% of Ligue 2 team Caen in 2024.
- Luka Modric: The Croatian midfielder joined the ownership group of Swansea City in 2025.
- N Golo Kante: The Chelsea midfielder became chairman of third-tier Belgian team Royal Excelsior Virton.
Investing in Community and Football Development
Many players are not just interested in the financial side of club ownership but also in giving back to the football community. Thierry Henry, for example, bought a stake in Como 1907 with the goal of investing in the community and fostering a connection with locals.
- Thierry Henry: The Arsenal legend bought a stake in Como 1907 with the goal of investing in the community and fostering a connection with locals.
- Jamie Vardy: The Leicester City striker co-owns Rochester New York FC with the aim of helping the club regain its popularity.
Relevance to North East India and India
While the trend of footballers owning clubs is not yet prevalent in North East India, it is a growing trend in Indian football. With the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League attracting top players and investment, it is possible that we may see Indian players investing in clubs in the near future.
Looking Ahead
The trend of footballers owning clubs is a testament to the commercial success of the sport. As more players retire and look for new ventures, we can expect to see more investment in football clubs. It will be interesting to see how these players use their influence and resources to shape the future of football.