The likes of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Eden Hazard have decided to allow their family members to become their agents, going against signing up super-agents who have developed a less-than-impressive reputation in world football over the last 20 years.
Scroll through the gallery to check out 10 of the world’s best players how are represented by their family members.
With relatives forming a crucial part of contract negotiations and big transfer moves, here are some of the most high-profile players who decided to stay close to home regarding their financial and contractual advice, according to ESPN FC.
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Six-time Ballon d’Or winner and FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has been represented by his father, Jorge Messi, from the day the Argentina international gained promotion to the Catalan first team in 2004.
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Real Madrid’s most recent marquee signing Eden Hazard, who joined Los Blancos in 2019 for £88million (R1.9billion), is represented by his father Thierry Hazard. The Belgian international’s father also oversees his younger son, Thorgan who plays for Borussia Dortmund along with many other players professionally as well.
Brazilian international Neymar Jr employed his father to be his main representative in some of his largest deals, chief among which was his world-record transfer from Barcelona to Les Parisiens for £198 million (R4.3billion). Neymar Sr. has reportedly earned £100 million (R2.9billion) from these and various deals.
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Ronaldinho's older brother, Roberto Assis, became the 40-year-old’s manager and advisor during his early years at Gremio as a young teenager, however, both have recently been placed under house arrest in Paraguay after being found guilty of identity fraud.
Do you believe that having a family member represent you is better than having a super-agent or sports agency represent you? Have your say in the comments section below.
