Football is a sport that has provided people from all walks of life with the opportunity to overcome poverty and achieve the life they have always dreamed of. Although these players have proven that talent is a God-given gift to escape poverty, they have not only escaped hardship but also become some of the wealthiest people in the world. Perhaps you are wondering, curious about who Wintips admin is referring to? Let's take a look at the list of football players who grew up poor below.
List football players who grew up poor ever
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
One of the greatest footballers of his generation, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a past that may explain his "me against the world" mentality. Born in the tough neighborhood of Rosengård, Malmö, to a Croatian mother, Jurka Gravic, and an alcoholic Bosnian father, Sefik Ibrahimovic, Zlatan had to endure all the hardships that immigrants often face in a foreign land.
Things became even more challenging when his parents separated, leaving Ibra at just 2 years old. Ibrahimovic later admitted to frequently stealing things as a child—growing up in a destitute slum left him with little choice. It was on a small, dusty field in the same slum that he learned the tricks and skills of the game with his friends.
2. Luis Suarez - Among football players who grew up poor
Luis Alberto Suarez Díaz's earliest memory is of playing football barefoot at the age of six on the rugged streets of Salto, a city located on the banks of the Uruguay River. Born into a family of seven children to Rodolfo and Sandra Suarez, his family migrated to Montevideo the following year, where his father, a laborer, hoped to find work.
In a city known for its high crime rates and pollution, Suarez experienced the struggles of poverty—he didn't even have shoes to play football. However, football became a refuge for young Luis. At just nine years old, he caught the attention of Nacional scouts after scoring a hat-trick for a local club.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo was nearly aborted, as revealed by his mother in her autobiography. This revelation was shared by his mother, Dolores, in her book Mother Courage. Ronaldo grew up in a devout Catholic family and later revealed that he experienced poverty, sharing a room with his mother and two sisters.
Expelled from school at the age of 14 for throwing a chair at a teacher who disrespected him, Ronaldo was on the verge of working to support his family when his mother intervened, urging her son to focus on the sport he loved. Ronaldo built a reputation as a prodigy when he signed with the local club Andorinha at the age of 8, where his father worked as a kit man.
4. Alexis Sanchez - One of the football players who grew up poor
Alexis Sanchez, also known as El Niño Maravilla, was born in the Chilean suburb of Tocopilla, a mining town which is known for its large port area. His father left the family when Sanchez was a child, and he grew up with his mother, who worked as a cleaner at the school he attended.
A great talent from an early age, Sanchez had to work several part-time jobs to support his family. While earning a living by cleaning cars, he realized that football could offer him a way out of hardship. In a recent HBO documentary, Sanchez said that his mother didn’t like him working to support the family. However, for Sanchez, football was likely his only viable option.
5. Dani Alves - Football players who grew up poor
Dani Alves was born on May 6, 1983, in Juazeiro, Brazil, to his father, Domingos, and his mother, Dona Lucia. His mother was a housewife, while his father was a farmer, whom he worked alongside. He would wake up at 4 a.m. to accompany his father to the fields about 30 km away, working tirelessly to help him.
However, the fields in Salto often experienced seasonal rain and drought, making agriculture an unreliable means of livelihood. Nonetheless, he found time to play football with other kids in nearby fields, helping him realize his greatest dream of becoming a professional footballer and one of the greatest full-backs in football history.
6. Angel Di Maria
One of three children born to Miguel and Diana, Angel Di Maria grew up in the city of Pedriel in Mendoza, western Argentina. Hyperactive as a child, Di Maria once fell into a well and was fortunate to survive. He helped his parents with their work at a local coal yard, along with his two sisters, Vanesa and Evelyn.
Despite being a talented player from an early age, he could not afford to buy football shoes, to the disappointment of his parents. While playing for Torito, scouts from Rosario Central spotted him. The transfer fee of the winger, who was later sold to two of the biggest clubs in the world, was 35 footballs at the time! At that time, he was just four years old.
7. Neymar Jr. - One of the football players who grew up poor
Neymar is a professional footballer from Brazil, playing as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian national team. He grew up in a small district in southern Brazil, near a landfill and a few rows of houses. They lived a very difficult life, lacking even enough money for prenatal ultrasound scans.
With Neymar's passion for football, he signed his first contract at the age of 12, a move that caught the attention of top clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid. He made his debut at the age of 17, marking a brilliant start to a career that would go on to make history in the sport.
8. Roberto Firmino
Like many South American players, Firmino grew up in poverty. For them, football was not just a passion but also a pathway to change their lives. Firmino's full name is Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira. He was born and raised in Maceio, a coastal city in Northeast Brazil. The city is famous for its beautiful beaches and notorious crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Firmino was born into a poor family, and his childhood was marked by hardships and struggles. Firmino's former teacher, Mrs. Adriana Leite, shared a touching story about the Brazilian forward. One day, she asked Firmino about his home life. With complete honesty, the boy revealed that his house had been without electricity the previous week.
9. Sadio Mane - Among the football players who grew up poor
Sadio Mané is a professional footballer from Senegal who plays as a forward for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He grew up in Bambali, a small town in the Sédhiou region of Senegal. Due to his family's background, Mané never attended school. His father forbade him to play football, as he wanted Mané to focus on religion.
However, the boy still found ways to play with the neighborhood kids. Thanks to this, a French scout discovered him and brought him to France to showcase his incredible talent, where he began playing for Metz. Sadio Mané's career is closely tied to his childhood, and he always strives to help those in need in society. Unlike other sports stars who flaunt cars, jewelry, and lavish lifestyles.
10. Diego Armando Maradona
Considered by many to be the greatest footballer in history, Maradona was born in Villa Fiorriotio, on 30 October 1961. They live in the harsh slums of Villa Fiorito outside Buenos Aires, but Maradona still envisions himself as a great footballer. His father, Don Diego, struggled as a mason and factory worker to support seven children and a stay-at-home wife.
Maradona still gave his best on the pitch and signed his first professional contract at the age of 15 and supported his family afterwards. He had a successful career and at the age of 21, he joined Barcelona for a world record fee. Maradona died in November 2020 at the age of 60 due to cardiac arrest.
Conclude
Poverty can be a powerful motivation to achieve greatness even though its nature is heartbreaking. The world has witnessed magnificent stars rise from the toughest educational backgrounds to become football deities and earn a place among the greatest players. Hopefully, the information provided by the trader bookmaker website will bring you additional motivation in life. Thank you.
See also: What are the best Croatian soccer players in history?
