14 Football Players who Grew up Very Poor

Football is one of the most lucrative sports in the world. Thanks to this beautiful game, many people across the world improved their finance and are ranked among the richest on the globe today. In this article we are going to look 15 players who were very poor but changed their social class thanks to football.

14. Adriano

Adriano

Before Adriano ever kicked a ball for the Inter Milan, he was a young boy stuck in poverty stricken Rio de Janeiro favela Vila Cruzeiro. The 34 year-old is now playing in the United States’ fourth tier at Miami United.

13. Yuri Zhirkov

Yuri Zhirkov

For the Saint Petersburg star, football was initially a way to escape an extremely poor life at his home that saw the six members of his family crammed into a one-bedroom apartment in their home town Tambov, Russia.

12. Alexander Hleb

Alexander Hleb

At his young age, Hleb couldn’t afford even a single pair of worn-out boots and spent his time playing on concrete pitches in Minsk. He has played for nearly 13 clubs up to today, including Arsenal and FC Barcelona

11. Robinho

Robinho

Robinho spent his childhood honing his skills on the streets of Sao Vicente. It was Pele himself who swooped to bring the young talent to Santos. He is now playing in his home club Atlético Mineiro.

5. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria

Like many South American footballers, Di Maria grew up in a poor family but managed to improve his live thanks to his football skills.

4. Neymar Jr.

Neymar Jr.

The FC Barcelona star grew up in a cramped room in his grandfather’s house, shared with his sister and parents.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan’s parents divorced when he was only two. The Manchester United striker was left to steal what he needed – at times, a bike to ride to training.

2. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez

The former Ajax and Liverpool striker spent first years of his life playing shoeless football in the streets. He is now displaying his incredible football skills in La Liga at FC Barcelona.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was born from a modest family in Madeira, a small city in Portugal. Ronaldo and his three siblings grew up in a devoid of toys and Christmas presents because his family couldn’t afford them.