Top 10 Most Popular Football Brothers

March 10, 2016

Having your sons break into the first team of a club is a moment of great pride for every father…I guess. (Not that I would know, since I’m only in my mid-twenties at this stage and without any children.) But anyhow, there are plenty of examples of football brothers in our beloved game, so check out the list of the most popular ones.

(Image credit: BBC Sport)

 

Gary and Phil Neville

(Image credit: The Times)

The duo is the most iconic bro-players to have graced the top flight of English football. They both started out as youngsters for Manchester United and easily transitioned into the first team when their time came. Gary, the older of the two, was part of the celebrated “Class of 1992,” while Phil made his full debut three years later. Together, they conquered everything in their sights – winning countless trophies both domestically and abroad – and shared the dressing room until 2005, when Phil decided to join Everton.

 

Hamit and Halil Altintop

(Image credit: DFB)

The twin football brothers started out their playing career with Wattenscheid 09, playing for the side together until 2003 when each of them joined other clubs – Hamit transferred to Schalke while Halil joined Kaiserslautern. They were reunited again when Schalke acquired Halil in 2006, although their playing time together was brief because Hamit was transferred to giants Bayern Munch the following season. The twins didn’t play again together, as they each went their own way. Despite being born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, both of them decided they were better off with the Turkish national side. Halil represented Turkey until 2011, while his brother is still going strong, having appeared in over 80 games.

 

Gabriel and Diego Milito

(Image credit: Gentside Sport)

These two Argentine brothers have three Champions League medal between them, each of them exchanging the title three years in a row, from 2009 until 2011. Gabriel, the younger of the two, was a fearsome defender playing for Real Zaragoza in La Liga. Later, Barcelona bought him, however he struggled with serious injuries during his four-year stay and never managed to replicate his form. He still managed to collect three La Liga titles and two CL medals while sitting on the bench. Not bad, right? His brother started doing really well when Jose Mourinho bought him for Inter in 2009, as they won all the biggest trophies the following season, including the Serie A title and the Champions League.

 

Yaya and Kolo Toure

(Image credit: Mirror)

Yaya spent a few years switching through clubs until he settled in Barcelona and become a fearsome midfielder. Now he plies his trade for Manchester City, where he is rumoured to receive in excess of £200,000 per week. Kolo, on the other hand, quickly joined Arsenal in 2002, where he spent a full seven seasons before being transferred to Manchester City in 2009. The football brothers were fortunate to play together for three years, until Kolo was sold to Liverpool in 2013.

 

Jerome and Kevin-Prince Boateng

(Image credit: African Celebs)

Staring out with Hertha Berlin, the football brothers quickly became starts and were both moved on to other clubs in 2007. The younger, Jerome, joined German rivals Hamburg where he excelled, while Kevin-Prince was signed by Tottenham where he struggled to find his form. After short spells with other clubs, Jerome now plays for giants Bayern Munich and Kevin-Prince has decided to re-join AC Milan after a year-and-a-half with Schalke. Despite both of being born in Berlin, only Jerome represents the German national side. The older brother used to play for Ghana for four years (2010-2014), before being suspended for disciplinary reasons.

 

Fabio and Rafael da Silva

(Image credit: Football News)

These two were a real sensation when they were youngsters in Brazil, however like many other players from their nation, they seem to be suffering from the “Brazilian Factor” – becoming an overnight sensation and then losing form shortly after. Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson quickly snapped up the twins in 2008, and both showed great promise for the future. However, Fabio is now plying his trade in the Championship with Cardiff City, while Rafael has been signed by French side Lyon in the summer of 2015.

 

Eden and Thorgan Hazard

(Image credit: Chelsea Season)

The Hazards are among the most talented football brothers in the world. Eden made his name in Lille before being transferred to Chelsea in 2012, while the younger brother Thorgan played for Lens before also being snapped up by Chelsea in 2012. Unfortunately, the two haven’t played together for The Blues, as the club loaned his out to Zulte Waregem for two seasons. Now he plays for German side Monchengladbach, where he’s performing brilliantly. Eden, on the other hand, will likely transfer to another club in the summer, which might see him wave goodbye to his four-year stay at Chelsea.

 

Rio and Anton Ferdinand

(Image credit: Fox Sports)

Rio was the undisputed best defender in the world during his prime at Manchester United, a club for which he played a total of 12 seasons. He won six Premier League titles and Champions League medal among other accolades while playing for the Red Devils. Unfortunately, his younger brother Anton, who is seven years Rio’s junior, didn’t achieve as much as the former Man United defender. Like Rio, Anton Ferdinand started his career with West Ham, and then went on to represent Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers among other clubs, where he didn’t win anything significant.

 

Ronald and Frank de Boer

(Image credit: STV)

Unlike all the other football brothers, where one brother is more popular and accomplished, the Dutch twins serve as an exemption to that element. Both of the brothers played for a number of sides together: Ajax, Barcelona, Rangers, AL Rayyan and Al-Shamal. While playing for Ajax, they won multiple national leagues and even lifted the coveted Champions League crown in 1995. Ronald was a talented midfielder that made close to 70 appearances for the Dutch national side, while Frank’s defensive prowess saw him called up a total of 122 times to represent the Netherlands in official games.

 

Michael and Brian Laudrup

(Image credit: BT)

Between them, they have made nearly 200 appearances for the Danish national team, but it is the older brother Michael that is remembered as one of the most iconic players of his generation. He has played for some of the biggest sides (Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid) and won tons of trophies in the process. Brian on the other hand wasn’t as successful, although he still made a mark, it’s just that it wasn’t as big enough as his brother’s. Some would say that if it weren’t for Michael, Brain would have been hailed as Denmark’s finest player, but I would genuinely dispute that claim as I believe there is no player more deserving of glory than Nicklas Bendtner.