He Ain’t Heavy…
Which footballers shoulder the burden of a more famous brother
There have been plenty of footballing brothers over the years, many of whom have shared similar success as teammates and rivals. But there have also been the brothers who have had to live in the shadow of a more famous footballer in the family. These are the modernday equivalents of Hugo Maradona, Joel Cantona and Carl Hoddle.
Plenty of players are in this position. Whatever happens over two legs between Manchester United and Saint-Etienne, Florentin Pogba will remain in the shadow of his younger brother Paul, the world’s most expensive footballer.
So which other footballers live in the shadow of a more famous brother? It turns out you could get a decent squad – at least if people only took a glance at the players’ surnames. Here’s our starting XI of overshadowed siblings.
John Rooney – Guiseley
While his brother looks to extend his Manchester United goal record, John has been top scorer at Wrexham in the National League this season. Rather than continue his run at the Racecourse Ground, the 26-year-old has just moved to Guiseley on loan for the rest of the season because he was one start from triggering a contract extension.
Felix Kroos – Union Berlin
While Toni stars at Real Madrid – scoring against Napoli in this week’s Champions League – younger brother Felix is a fellow midfielder but now plies his trade for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga II, Germany’s second tier, after six seasons with Werder Bremen in the top flight.
Steeven Ribery – US Boulogne
At only 21, time is on Steeven’s side but he has a long way to go to emulate his brother, France and Bayern Munich star Franck. Steeven was part of the Bayern reserve setup – where he had been likened by coaches to Arjen Robben – until his release last summer and joined US Boulogne in the French third division in January.
Rani Khedira – RB Leipzig
Sami’s younger brother has spent the last two and a half seasons with the controversial upstarts who now sit second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. However, he’s been a bit part player during this season’s remarkable rise and is out of contract in the summer.
Thorgan Hazard – Borussia Monchengladbach
Once a clubmate of his brother at Chelsea, Thorgan was allowed to leave for Germany on a permanent move in 2015 after a successful loan. Chelsea included a buyback clause so perhaps one day he may rejoin Eden – and in the Belgian national side if he can add to his two caps.
Rodney Sneijder – Jong FC Utrecht
A fellow graduate of the Ajax Academy and also a midfielder, that’s where the comparisons end between Rodney and Wesley. After a career wandering around the Dutch divisions, the 25-year-old is back in his native Netherlands with Jong FC Utrecht, the FC Utrecht reserve side.
Pol Busquets – UE Llagostera
It was always going to be tough for Pol: He had to follow in the footsteps of brother Sergio and in the gloves of father Carlos, both bona fide Barcelona legends. Goalkeeper Pol was in the Catalan club’s youth setup before spells at Atletico Madrid’s and Sporting Gijon’s second strings. The 22-yearold is now at UE Llagostera in the Spanish third division.
Johan Martial – Troyes AC
The elder of the Martial brothers has scored as many league goals as younger sibling Anthony has this season, even though Johan is a center back. When not defending his younger brother on social media, the 25-year-old plays for Troyes in Ligue 2 and has made 13 appearances this season as they look to gain promotion to the French top flight.
Jordan Lukaku – Lazio
He’s a Belgian international who plays for Lazio, but even if he had played for the Biancocelesti more than 10 times this season he would still find himself in the shadow of elder brother Romelu, one of the most coveted strikers in Europe. Romelu has admitted that is his dream to play with his brother at club level but a move this summer might postpone that further.
Fabian Gotze – Free agent
Mario Gotze missed out on Borussia Dortmund’s trip to Benfica in the Champions League this week but at least he has a club, unlike older brother Fabian who has been a free agent since leaving SpVgg Unterhaching in the summer of 2015 after they were relegated to the German fourth tier. Both Fabian and World Cup winner Mario may yet be outshone by their youngest brother Felix: The 19-year-old is in the Bayern Munich Champions League squad.
Alfredo Donarumma – Salernitana
The 30-year-old journeyman striker is at Serie B’s Salernitana, where he has scored five league goals this season as his side wallow in mid-table. A division above, his 17-year-old brother Gianluigi is having another season in goal for AC Milan and adding to his growing reputation. Meanwhile, middle brother and also a goalkeeper Alfonso is also mid-table with Greek side Asteras Tripolis.