Six footballers who own football clubs - as Alexander-Arnold launches Nantes bid

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 20 Sept 2024 09:39 BST
• 4 min read

Trent Alexander-Arnold is attempting to purchase French outfit Nantes through his father.

L’Equipe reports that talks have already been opened between Liverpool and the club.

The defender's interests are managed by his father Michael, who is looking to broker the deal via an investment fund based in London. Fans are currently unhappy with Nantes owner Waldemar Kita and discussions are underway.

But what other players, past and present, have owned football clubs? FootballTransfers takes a look at six notable examples.

David Beckham - Inter Miami

David Beckham's involvement in Inter Miami began in 2014 when he exercised an option in his MLS contract to acquire a franchise. He worked hard and eventually, the Florida-based team joined the MLS in 2020.

The club has gone from strength to strength since then. Superstar Lionel Messi joined last year and now the club has reached new heights.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Hammarby

Former AC Milan and Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced he would be a part-owner of Swedish club Hammarby.

But the news irritated fans of Malmo, the club where Ibrahimovic started his professional career in his home country and rivals of Hammarby.

A statue of the striker outside their stadium was vandalised countlessly and eventually removed altogether.

Ronaldo - Real Valladolid

Ronaldo Nazario might be popular at Real Madrid but fans at Real Valladolid are not so warm to the Brazil legend. He has owned the club since 2018, overseeing a tumultuous period.

This year, despite reports that the he was looking to sell, Valladolid confirmed that Ronaldo will continue as president and owner. He will also pay money to increase the club’s salary cap.

🎥💜 @Ronaldo, siempre con una sonrisa en la boca, revolucionó ayer Valladolid#pucela #RealValladolid pic.twitter.com/t5lm940vh6

— Real Valladolid C.F. (@realvalladolid) September 4, 2018

Kylian Mbappe - Caen

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe made two spectacular moves this summer. Not only did he join Los Blancos, but the World Cup winner also completed a takeover of Ligue 2 side Caen.

Interconnected Venture has bought a majority stake in the French club through Coalition Capital.

The Frenchman put some €15 million of his own money into the move as he made the switch from France to Spain.

Gary Neville and the Class of '92 - Salford City

Salford had been very much non-league fodder. That was until 2014 when the Project 92 Limited consortium, a group consisting of former Manchester United players Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, and Paul Scholes, (the Class of '92) bought a 50% stake in the side, with businessman Peter Lim owning the other half.

In August of this year, Sky Sports pundit and commentator Neville became the majority share owner after acquiring Lim's stakes.

N'golo Kante - Royal Excelsior Virton

Last year, Kante purchased Belgian third-tier club Royal Excelsior Virton. His move there came at the same time as he joined Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al-Ittihad from Chelsea. In the Middle East, the midfielder is on a contract worth €86m a year, which works out as €1.6m a week.

Excelsior Virton said in a statement after Kante took over from then-chairman Flavio Becca: "Flavio is obviously extremely happy to be able to hand over the keys of the club to N'Golo Kante.

"[He is] a player of great class, not only for his footballing qualities but also and above all for his unanimously recognised human qualities."