Football stars like Luka Modric, Kylian Mbappe, and Cristiano Ronaldo are showing interest in owning or investing in football clubs. Modric recently became a minority stakeholder in Championship side Swansea City, joining a growing trend of players exploring club ownership over managerial roles. Ronaldo has expressed a preference for club ownership post-retirement, aiming to own multiple clubs.
Other players like Mbappe, Sadio Mane, and Juan Mata have also invested in football clubs, preparing for life beyond playing. David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who have had disagreements with managers, have opted for ownership and advisory roles. The move towards club ownership reflects a shift away from the stresses of coaching and management.
Investing in football clubs can be risky, as seen with Mbappe's Caen facing relegation and Villa's Queensboro FC yet to debut. However, players are actively seeking business knowledge through courses like football business management, bridging their playing experience with boardroom skills. The trend highlights a desire among players to stay connected to the game in a different capacity post-playing career.