Former Manchester City, Liverpool, Celtic, Ajax, Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan, Leeds United and Glasgow Rangers stars all feature.
Everton’s Phil Neville shakes hand’s with brother Gary Neville
The world of football is incredibly competitive and difficult to break in to. So many youngsters around the globe want to become professional footballers and only a precious few ever get to realise such aspirations. It is perhaps surprising, then, that so many players have had fathers, uncles or brothers in the game. Eiður Guðjohnsen almost got the chance to play alongside his father for the Icelandic national team back in 1996, but instead replaced his Dad as a sub, with injury preventing the pair from ever having the opportunity to do so again.
There is also the odd case of brother and sister football players, such as Eni Aluko and Sone Aluko; Eni plays for Chelsea and England, whilst Sone chose to represent the Nigeria and plays for Fulham at club level. However, this list is in regards to the seven greatest footballing brothers.
Unsurprisingly, there is usually a superior brother who is clearly more talented. Some exceptional players have brothers who play professionally but at a much lower level. For example, Wayne Rooney is one of the most decorated players in the Premier League, whilst his brother also plays professionally for Guiseley in the National League, the fifth tier of English football. This list is in reference to the brothers’ collective ability, so preferably brothers who are both distinguished footballers in their own right.
7. Yaya & Kolo Toure
Yaya Toure of Manchester City is foiled by Kolo Toure of Liverpool
Yaya Toure is one of the most complete and distinguished midfielders of the last decade, and whilst Kolo’s career has somewhat petered out he is still on the books at Liverpool and has had a terrific career. Exceptional at Arsenal, Kolo was at the heartbeat of Arsenal’s defence in their 2003-04 undefeated Premier League title win, and when Manchester City first flexed their financial muscles they signed Kolo for £14 million. He retired from international football in 2015 with 118 caps for the Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, Yaya impressed for both Monaco and Barcelona before moving to his brother’s former club where he has been integral in establishing Manchester City as a force in English football.
6. Frank & Ronald de Boer
With most of the siblings in this seven there is one obviously superior brother, even if both are of great quality, but with these two it’s a little more difficult to split them apart. It proved equally difficult to split them apart throughout their playing careers, as they played together at Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers. As such, their list of honours is rather similar, both winning five Eredivisie titles, one Champions League, one Super Cup and one La Liga, although Ronald added an SPL title to that tally which Frank did not, joining Rangers a year later. Ronald played 67 times for the Netherlands whilst Frank picked up an even more impressive 112 caps. Frank is currently the Crystal Palace manager, whilst Ronald is part of the coaching staff at Ajax.
5. Gary & Phil Neville
Gary Neville manager of Valencia and Phil Neville assistant manager of Valencia
Gary and Phil Neville both emerged from the legendary Manchester United ‘class of 92’ and both went on to have great careers at Old Trafford. Gary was generally regarded as the more gifted of the pair and he spent his entire career with Manchester United, making over 400 appearances, and captaining the side for five years in his 19-year career. Meanwhile, Phil played 263 games for Manchester United before moving to Everton, where he spent eight years playing under David Moyes. Between them they won 14 Premier League titles, six FA Cups, three Champions League’s and two League Cups. Gary played 85 times for England, whilst Phil received 59 caps for the national team.
4. Franco & Giuseppe Baresi
Turned down by his brother’s club and major rivals, Inter Milan, Franco Baresi joined AC Milan, where he would go on to become a club legend. Giuseppe played almost 400 games for Inter Milan before spending two years at Modena, he captained Inter for four of his 16 years at the club. He was also a member of Italy’s Euro 1980 and 1986 World Cup squads, featuring alongside Franco in the 1980 tournament on home soil. Despite a prestigious career, Giuseppe became known as ‘the other Baresi’, such was the success of Franco. As AC Milan captain, Franco won six Serie A titles, three Champions Leagues and three Super Cups, making over 700 appearances for the Italian giants.
3. Bobby & Jack Charlton
England players Jack (left) and Bobby Charlton relaxing during training at the World Cup, Mexico City, May 1970.
Bobby and Jack Charlton both featured in the famous 1966 England World Cup winning team and both had equally successful club careers. Bobby, a Manchester United legend, survived the horrific Munich air disaster and played almost his entire career at Old Trafford, before a brief spell with Preston North End. Bobby won a Ballon d’Or the year England won the World Cup, as well as three First Division titles, one FA Cup and one European Cup. Jack was one-club man, spending his entire career at Leeds United where he won the First Division once, coming second five times and winning the FA Cup once.
2. Socrates & Rai Souza Vieira de Oliveira
Widely regarded as one of the finest midfield players to ever play the game, it was never going to be easy for Rai to match the dizzying heights set by his older brother Socrates. Despite this, he had an outstanding career, spending six years at Sao Paulo and five years at PSG, before a season-long return to Brazil. Rai won five Brazilian league titles, one in France and a World Cup in 1994. Socrates could not lay claim to having won a World Cup but he is still considered the more gifted of the pair. With a doctorate in medicine and an iconic look, Socrates became the image of coolness in football and scored 22 goals from midfield in 60 games for Brazil.
1. Brian & Michael Laudrup
Denmark’s national soccer team forwards Brian Laudrup, Michael Laudrup and Thomas Helveg
Brian Laudrup would be regarded as the finest player in Denmark’s history, if it weren’t for his pesky older brother Michael. Brian was named Denmark Footballer of the Year on four occasions (more than any other player), winning trophies in Denmark, Italy, Germany and Scotland in a career which saw him turn out for the likes of Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, AC Milan, Rangers, Chelsea and Ajax, he was also nominated for three Ballon d’Ors. Brother Michael though, was even more impressive, winning five La Liga titles, a Serie A title, an Eredevise title, a European Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and more. He played his best football at Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona, although he also played for Brondby, Lazio and Ajax, among others. He was in the Ballon d’Or top 10 voting on four occasions and was named the best foreign player to play in Spain between the years 1974 and 1999.
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