4 footballers who have their fathers as agents

Agents have become such an important element in today's football
Agents have become such an important element in today's football

Agents play a crucial part in a footballer's life. From negotiating better terms in a contract for clients, to managing his off-field life, agents have a big say in the career of the players. Hence, it is important to have a good agent for a footballer to have the best possible life as a professional.

Agents have become such an important element in today's football, as most of the transfers happen only through them. In fact, a lot of money is paid to them to make their clients sign for a particular club. We have seen the likes of Mino Raiola and Jorge Mendes who have preferences with a few clubs, and in most cases, their clients secure transfers to those clubs only.

Involving family members in the professional life of a player is a rarity in any sport. However, there have been the cases of family relations becoming the agents or managers of certain players in many sports. It is prevalent in football, as we have seen a number of cases where the father is the agent of his son who is a footballer.

On that note, here is a list of 4 footballers who have their own fathers as their agents, thereby allowing them make crucial decisions regarding their careers.


#1 Neymar - Neymar Santos Sr.

Neymar and his agent father
Neymar and his agent father

One of the most famous father and son duo has been Neymar and his father. Neymar Sr. was instrumental in bringing Neymar from Brazil to Barcelona, and also secured a world-record move for his son from Barcelona to PSG in 2017.

Neymar Sr. has been a major influence in Neymar's phenomenal rise as a footballer. Neymar Santos has also been helping his son battle a few cases in court as well.

In fact, Neymar Sr. was also a professional footballer, but was not hugely successful. In fact, Neymar Santos Sr. was playing out his final years at Mogi Das Cruzes, a sprawling industrial suburb located on the outskirts of Sao Paulo when Neymar was born.

Initially, Wagner Ribeiro used to be Neymar's agent before his father started looking after his son's affairs. He has now become popular after deciding to manage his son's affairs off the field.


#2 Lionel Messi - Jorge Messi

Messi along with his father, Jorge
Messi along with his father, Jorge

Lionel Messi is one of the most popular football players in the world right now. The Argentine has won almost every possible accolade at club and individual level, and he is still in the best of form this season.

Lionel Messi has been with Spanish giants Barcelona ever since he came from Argentina. Although he was linked to a number of clubs throughout his career, Messi has not left his boyhood club. A major factor for this has been his agent father, Jorge Messi.

Jorge has been the agent of Lionel Messi, and has been responsible for securing timely contract renewals for his son. Messi has had a number of issues with tax evasion, and Jorge has stood with him all through this.

Although it is highly unlikely that Messi would leave Barca, any such move would involve Jorge as well.

#3 Juan Mata - Juan Manuel Mata Sr.

Juan Mata with his father
Juan Mata with his father

Juan Mata has been one of the few underrated players in football. The Spaniard is an excellent attacking midfielder who creates a lot of chances very often, and he is also a prolific goal scorer.

Juan Mata's off-field affairs are managed by his father, Mata Sr.

He was responsible for his son securing a big move from Valencia to Chelsea early in his career, and later to Manchester United. It should also be noted that Mata had represented Real Madrid before his stint with Valencia.

Juan Manuel Mata Rodríguez was also a professional footballer and played as a forward in the 1980s and early 1990s for hometown Burgos CF. He has been managing his son's career since then.

Mata is set to sign a new contract at Manchester United, and Mata Sr. will have a huge say in it.

#4 Eden Hazard - Thierry Hazard

Eden Hazard with his parents
Eden Hazard with his parents

Thierry Hazard has been in the news recently for his frequent comments regarding his son's future destination. Hazard is highly linked with a move to Real Madrid, and his father agent has been an influential figure in this rumour.

Eden Hazard did not have an agent for some time before his dad stepped in to fill the role. Carine and Thierry Hazard, the parents of Eden Hazard, have a football background too.

While Thierry was a semi-professional player, slogging about the midfield of La Louviere, the town where Thorgan and Eden were born, mum was a top-flight forward for 6 years. The pair then became physical education teachers.

Chelsea is hell-bent on keeping hold of Hazard, hence Thierry Hazard's role will be crucial in the upcoming days.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.