Footballers today are more than athletes. They’re brands, decision-makers, and now, club owners. A growing number of elite players are investing in football’s future not after retirement—but while still playing at the highest level.
These moves aren’t just about image. They signal intent: players planning long-term legacies, using their resources and reach to build something lasting within the game.
| Player | Club | Ownership Stake | Year Acquired | Still Active | Club Status (April 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Modrić | Swansea City (Wales, UK) | ~5% (minority) | 2025 | Yes | Mid-table Championship |
| N’Golo Kanté | Royal Excelsior Virton (BE) | 100% | 2023 | Yes | 3rd tier, improving |
| Kylian Mbappé | SM Caen (France) | 80% (majority) | 2024 | Yes | Relegated to 3rd tier |
Luka Modrić – Swansea City (Wales, UK)
Luka Modrić became a household name in England with Tottenham. Few imagined he’d return not as a player, but as an owner.
In April 2025, the Real Madrid midfielder—now approaching 40—became a minority owner of Swansea City, joining a group that includes Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, and Nigel Morris. They bought out shares from previous owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, who originally acquired the Welsh club for about $137 million in 2016.
Modrić, still competing for Madrid and hoping to captain Croatia at the 2026 World Cup, says the move does not signal retirement—only his growing vision for what comes next. “Swansea has a strong identity, an incredible fanbase, and the ambition to compete at the highest level,” he said upon the announcement. “My goal is to support the club’s growth in a positive way and help build an exciting future.”
His group aims to return the club to the Premier League while addressing its financial challenges—Swansea reported losses of over $18 million last season. As of April 2025, the club sits 11th in the Championship table, showing some form with recent wins. For fans, Modrić’s arrival offers both credibility and hope that a new chapter may be written along the Welsh coast.
N’Golo Kanté – Royal Excelsior Virton (Belgium)
In 2023, N’Golo Kanté quietly became the full owner of Belgian third-tier side Royal Excelsior Virton. The move came shortly after his transfer to Saudi club Al-Ittihad.
Kanté took over through a personal holding company. The club described him as “a person of widely recognized human qualities” and noted his intent to stabilize its operations and restore the importance of its youth academy. No press tour. No grand rollout. Just the kind of low-profile leadership that mirrors how he’s always played.
Virton, under Kanté’s ownership, has made noticeable progress. As of April 2025, they’ve won 16 matches out of 29, showing solid form and competing near the top of the Belgian First Amateur Division.
Kylian Mbappé – Stade Malherbe Caen (France)
Kylian Mbappé’s investment in Ligue 2 side Stade Malherbe Caen became public in late 2024. The French superstar, through his fund Interconnected Ventures, acquired an 80% stake in the club—valued at around $16 million.
For Mbappé, the move has personal roots. Caen nearly signed him as a youth before he joined Monaco. Now he returns with ownership ambitions, reportedly placing close confidants in operational roles at the club.
But 2025 has not gone as hoped. Caen struggled through the Ligue 2 campaign and were relegated to France’s third division. The decision-making around the club has drawn criticism, and Mbappé has faced backlash from fans frustrated with the club’s direction. Still, the project is viewed as long-term, and Mbappé’s team has indicated they see 2025–26 as the true start of the rebuild.
