Growing up as a passionate football fan, it can be almost unimaginable to see yourself playing for your boyhood club’s biggest rival.
The fierce rivalries in football can be so intense that many supporters would refuse to wear the jersey of their team’s greatest adversary, let alone play for them.
However, the world of football is often full of surprises, and for some players, the biggest opportunities come from clubs they could not have envisioned themselves joining as youngsters. For these ten footballers, the chance to advance their careers led them to switch allegiances and join their boyhood clubs’ fiercest rivals.
Dominic Solanke
Boyhood Club: Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur’s newest signing, Dominic Solanke, is making a return to London after a standout season with Bournemouth. Solanke, who scored a career-best 19 Premier League goals last season, has been brought in to fill the void left by Harry Kane’s departure to Bayern Munich. Despite his ties with Chelsea, where he was developed, Solanke’s early support lay with Arsenal. He even admitted to attending a few Emirates Cup games as a child, revealing his boyhood allegiance to Spurs’ cross-town rivals.
Harry Kane
Boyhood Club: Arsenal
Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer, Harry Kane, was also an Arsenal fan during his youth. Before becoming a legend at White Hart Lane and then Bayern Munich, Kane was on Arsenal’s books. However, he struggled to secure a regular spot and was eventually released in favor of other talents like Benik Afobe. Kane’s journey from being a young Arsenal supporter to becoming Spurs’ talisman highlights how football loyalties can shift dramatically.
Jamie Carragher
Boyhood Club: Everton
Jamie Carragher is synonymous with Liverpool, having spent his entire professional career at Anfield. Yet, Carragher grew up as a fervent Everton fan. His devotion to Everton was so strong that he admitted he would have preferred the Toffees to win the double rather than England winning the World Cup in 1986. Despite his deep-rooted Evertonian passion, Carragher’s career was defined in Liverpool red.
John Terry
Boyhood Club: Manchester United
John Terry is widely regarded as the epitome of Chelsea, known for his leadership and legendary status at Stamford Bridge. However, as a youngster, Terry was a Manchester United fan, inspired by the success of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. Terry’s childhood allegiance to United makes his career at Chelsea even more remarkable, especially considering his pivotal role in the club’s history.
Luka Modric
Boyhood Club: Barcelona
Luka Modric, the Croatian maestro who has achieved tremendous success with Real Madrid, once harbored a deep admiration for Barcelona. Despite his monumental success with Los Blancos, including winning six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles, Modric’s boyhood dream was to support Barcelona. This support was revealed by former teammate Ivan Rakitic, adding an interesting layer to Modric’s illustrious career.
Raheem Sterling
Boyhood Club: Manchester United
Raheem Sterling’s career has seen him play for Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea—three clubs that are fierce rivals. Despite his high-profile stints at Liverpool and Chelsea, Sterling admitted to being a passionate Manchester United fan in his youth. His early support for United, combined with his successful career at their rivals, highlights the often unexpected nature of football careers.
Matt Doherty
Boyhood Club: Arsenal
Matt Doherty’s early career saw him make a significant impact at Wolverhampton Wanderers, which led to his move to Tottenham Hotspur. Before joining Spurs, Doherty’s social media history revealed his support for Arsenal, a fact that did not go unnoticed by fans. The humorous transfer announcement by Tottenham embraced his past fandom, adding a unique twist to his move across North London.
Kevin De Bruyne
Boyhood Club: Liverpool
Kevin De Bruyne, one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders, grew up as a Liverpool fan. He used to sleep in Liverpool bed sheets and admired players like Michael Owen. Despite his strong childhood support for Liverpool, De Bruyne’s career has seen him play for Manchester City, where he has been instrumental in numerous successes, often thwarting Liverpool’s title ambitions.
Paolo Maldini
Boyhood Club: Juventus
Paolo Maldini is a symbol of AC Milan, having spent his entire playing career at the Rossoneri. His loyalty and legendary status at Milan are well known, but he grew up as a Juventus fan. Maldini’s transition from a Juventus supporter to an icon of Milan is a testament to the unpredictable nature of football allegiances and careers.
Gareth Bale
Boyhood Club: Arsenal
Gareth Bale, one of Tottenham Hotspur’s most exciting players, grew up supporting Arsenal. His admiration for Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp as a child was well-documented. Despite his childhood support for Arsenal, Bale became one of Tottenham’s most electrifying players before his move to Real Madrid and subsequent return to Spurs.
These ten players exemplify how football careers can lead to surprising twists, with players often finding themselves playing for clubs they once supported or considered rivals. Their journeys highlight the unpredictable nature of the sport and the complex relationships between players, their boyhood clubs, and their careers.
