The Legacy of Footballing Brothers
Football has its share of iconic brother duos who have each made their mark on the beautiful game. Bobby and Jack Charlton, for instance, were instrumental in England’s 1966 World Cup victory, while Kolo and Yaya Toure both scored crucial penalties in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations shootout to secure Ivory Coast’s triumph. These legendary pairs are just a few of the many brother duos who have left an indelible impact on the sport.
Modern Duos: Neville and Da Silva
Gary and Phil Neville are among the most famous pairs of footballing brothers. They came through the ranks at Manchester United together, but their paths diverged when Phil became captain at Everton, leading to an infamous awkward tunnel moment. The Neville brothers are not the only siblings to play as full-backs for the Red Devils; twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva also donned the Manchester United jersey. The Premier League has seen other notable pairs, such as Rio and Anton Ferdinand, Jordan and Andre Ayew, and Kevin-Prince and Jerome Boateng, each leaving their unique imprints on the game.
High-Profile European Duos
Other high-profile footballing duos include Filippo and Simone Inzaghi, Rafinha and Thiago Alcantara, Frank and Ronald de Boer, Michael and Brian Laudrup, Franco and Giuseppe Baresi, and Brazilians Socrates and Rai. These brothers have not only shared the same pitch but have also contributed to some of the most memorable moments in football history. The Hazard brothers—Eden, Thorgan, Kylian, and Ethan—are another well-known quartet, though their success has varied. Despite this, they are not the only Kylian and Ethan siblings in the world of football.
The Most Valuable Footballing Brothers
Using Transfermarkt figures, we can rank the most valuable footballing brothers by their combined worth. Topping the list are Jude and Jobe Bellingham, worth a staggering £164m combined. Jude, now at Real Madrid, has already made a significant impact, helping his team secure the Champions League title. His younger brother, Jobe, is showing immense promise at Sunderland and is attracting attention from top clubs.
Highly Valued Sibling Teams
Second on the list are Kylian and Ethan Mbappe, with a combined value of £133.7m. Kylian, a Real Madrid and France superstar, has achieved remarkable success, including multiple Ligue 1 titles and a World Cup. Ethan, though younger, has also shown potential, having played for PSG’s academy. The Thuram brothers, Marcus and Khephren, come third with a combined value of £91m. Marcus has enjoyed a stellar career, winning Serie A with Inter and reaching the World Cup final, while Khephren, a holding midfielder, has made his mark at Juventus.
Brothers in the Upper Ranks
Nico and Inaki Williams, worth £75m combined, are fourth on the list. Inaki, a long-time Athletic Bilbao legend, has been a consistent performer, while Nico, eight years his junior, is quickly making a name for himself. The fifth position is held by the Mac Allister brothers—Alexis, Kevin, and Francis—with a combined value of £71.3m. Alexis, a Liverpool star and World Cup winner, has Irish descent and is known for his dynamic play, while Kevin and Francis have also found success in their respective teams.
Iconic Full-Back Duo
Theo and Lucas Hernandez, worth £67m combined, round out the top six. Both have represented some of Europe’s biggest clubs and have more than 35 caps each. They even faced off against each other in the 2023-24 Champions League. The Diaz brothers, Luis and Jesus, are seventh with a combined value of £70.1m. Luis, a Liverpool forward, is one of the most valuable players in the Premier League, while Jesus plays for a second-tier club in Colombia.
In conclusion, the world of football is rich with the legacy of brother duos, each contributing their unique talents and achieving remarkable success in their respective careers. From the legendary Charltons to the promising Bellinghams, these brothers have not only shared the pitch but have also captured the hearts of football fans around the world.
