5 Young footballers who married early

Marriage is a beautiful union between two people who get together for many different reasons chief of which is lifelong companionship.

Throughout history, there are certain factors which are considered when it comes to marriage and financial stability is one of them.

For the average man in the world, it usually takes some time before they attain financial independence. Hence, marriage is usually staved off until their late 20s to early 30s. However, for footballers who get access to fame and fortune at a very young age that does not happen to be the case.

In today’s world of multimillion-dollar transfer fees as well as an ever-increasing marketing revenue in football, footballers sign contracts worth millions at very tender ages, while their fame means they are able to attract some of the most beautiful women on the planet.

It is not an uncommon sight to see players become fathers while still in their teens, while others have gone a step further by tying the knot. In this piece, we shall be taking a look at five players aged 23 and under who are already married.

#5 Nicolo Barella (Cagliari) - 22 years

Efficient in possession and highly composed, Nicolo Barella has emerged as one of the most highly sought after young midfielders in Europe following his displays in the middle of the park with hometown club Cagliari.

With extreme maturity which belies his age, the 22-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising midfielders in the Serie A and also seems to exhibit the same maturity off the field of play, as he is already married with a daughter, while a second child is also on the way.

News emerged that Chelsea were leading the race to sign the multitalented midfielder (who has been compared to Italian legend Marco Tardelli). However, the deal was said to have been complicated as Barella's wife was pregnant and he wanted to be close to her in Italy to see her through the delivery.

Having already established himself as an Italian international, Barella seems destined for the top and it is only a matter of time before one of Europe's bigger clubs snaps him up.

#4 Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta) - 20 years

The 20-year-old Nigerian international goalkeeper was one of the youngest starters at the last World Cup in France and gave a good account of himself with some solid displays in the West African country's group stage exit.

He had earlier represented the country during her victorious run to the 2013 U17 World Cup trophy held in Qatar. Although he acted as an understudy to the first choice back then.

Having starred for LaLiga outfit Deportivo La Coruna since 2017, where he became the youngest ever foreign goalkeeper to debut in the league, as well as the second youngest to debut during the 2017/2018 season (behind Real Madrid's Achraf Hakimi), Uzoho was sent out on a season-long loan to Cyprus club Anorthosis Famagusta in January 2019.

In December of last year, Uzoho tied the knot with his long-term sweetheart in his native Nigeria, with the ceremony attended by some of his international teammates. However, not much is known about whether his new wife followed him to Cyprus or remained in the country.

#3 Ramadan Sobhi (Al Ahly) - 22 years

Ramadan Sobhi broke out as an explosive forward while playing for Egyptian giants Al Ahly, which earned him comparisons with former Egyptian international Mohamed Aboutrika (which is no mean feat considering that the 40-year-old is widely considered by many to be among the best African players of all time).

His performances with Ahly earned him a transfer to Stoke City in 2016, where he continued to impress, but could not save them from relegation at the end of last season which prompted his sale to Huddersfield Town.

Things did not go as planned at the John Smith Stadium, as Sobhi struggled for game time and the 22-year-old is currently undergoing a loan spell back at Al Ahly.

In 2017, the then 20-year-old married Habiba Ekramy, sister to Sherif Ekramy who was his former teammate at both club and national level.

#2 Hamza Mendyl (Schalke 04) - 21 years

Hamza Mendyl is building a steady profile for himself in the Bundesliga as one of the fastest rising and promising left-backs, with his pace, technique and crossing ability earning him widespread acclaim.

He joined Bundesliga side Schalke 04 in the summer from Lille on a five-year deal and has continued his upward trajectory, starring in four UCL matches as the German side booked their spot in the second round of this season's Champions League campaign.

He is also a seasoned international, having starred in all of Morocco's matches in their group stage exit at the 2018 World Cup and has made 15 appearances till date for the Atlas Lions.

Earlier on, he proposed to his girlfriend Marwa Ouhaly (A 25-year-old Moroccan model) in a Casablanca hotel in a video in September 2018 which went viral on social media, before going on to tie the knot in December of last year.

#1 Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven) - 23 years

Hirving Lozano announced himself to the global stage when he scored the only goal in Group F's opening match which condemned defending champions Germany to a shock defeat against Mexico at the last World Cup.

He had earlier on starred for Pachuca in the Mexican league, which earned him a move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 2017 where he has continued to star, scoring 17 league goals and providing 11 league assists in his first season to help the Eindhoven side lift the Eredivisie title.

At international level, Lozano has also starred, having been a regular in the international team since 2016 and he has gone on to make 34 appearances for El Tri.

Popularly called Chucky (after the doll in the children's horror series), Lozano married his sweetheart Ana Obregon in 2014 aged just 19 and the pair have two children.