6 football clubs owned by famous footballers The life of a professional footballer is short. Most footballers who play in top tiers of Europe tend to start their career by the end of their teenage years and their careers fizzle out by the time they hit the mid-30s. Once their playing careers come to end, these players invest their money and time elsewhere. Some become television pundits and columnists, others go into coaching and few others venture into the business world like Cristiano Ronaldo who owns a clothing brand or Mathieu Flamini who has a biochemical company. Most players do the groundwork for their post-playing careers even before retirement. As already stated, footballers find different avenues to invest their money and one way is to invest their money in a football club. So here is a list of six football clubs you probably haven’t heard of but is owned by superstars that you’ve definitely heard of. 6 Phoenix Rising - Didier Drogba Phoenix Rising is an American club playing in the second tier the US football pyramid and it was founded in 2014 as Arizona United Soccer Club. In 2016, after a change in ownership, the club was rebranded Phoenix Rising FC. On April 12, 2017; Phoenix signed Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba on a free transfer. The Ivorian also purchased an ownership stake in the Arizona based club and thus became the first ever player-owner in football history. Among the other notable owners are baseball star Brandon McCarthy, DJ and record producer, Diplo and songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Pete Wentz. After a fantastic 2018 season in which they finished third in the Western Conference Standings just two points behind the table toppers, Phoenix Rising will now compete in the conference playoffs. Former England, Chelsea and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips played for Phoenix Rising in 2017. 5 Salford City - Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt Salford City is a football club based in Salford, Great Manchester and in 2014, a part of Manchester United’s famous Class of 92 completed a takeover of the club when they were playing in Premier League Division North which is the seventh division in England. In September 2014, the ownership team comprising of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt agreed to sell a 50% stake in the club to Singapore based billionaire Peter Lim who also owns La Liga club Valencia. The remaining 50% was split equally between Giggs, Scholes, Butt and the Neville brothers. Since the takeover, Salford City has earned two promotions and are currently playing in England’s fifth division, National League North. The team is currently top of the table and if they finish the season on top, then they will gain promotion to EFL League Two. Giggs previously stated that the aim is to bring Salford City to the Championship in fifteen years and if they move forward at the current pace, then that target should be met with time to spare. 4 Paolo Maldini - Miami FC Paolo Maldini is currently serving as sporting strategy & development director for Milan and is also the co-owner of American second division club Miami FC. Maldini owns 50% of the club and the rest is owned by Italian businessman Riccardo Silva who is also the president of the club. "Miami has been my second home for 15 years, so I look forward to spending more and more time here as co-owner of Miami FC, giving my enthusiastic contribution for its success” - Maldini Miami played its first season in 2016 with Maldini’s former Milan teammate Alessandro Nesta as the manager. In addition, Italian sportswear brand, Macron, signed as the club’s kit suppliers on a three years deal. In 2017, Miami won the Spring and Fall NASL season but after the outright cancellation of the 2018 NASL season, the club is in a limbo. However, in January 2018, Miami FC announced the creation of Miami FC 2 in the National Premier Soccer League and many of the players from Miami FC were transferred to Miami FC 2. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Maldini’s club. 3 San Diego 1904 - Eden Hazard, Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sow San Diego 1904 is another club based in the United States owned by football stars. Founded in June 2017 by current stars Demba Ba, Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sow, the club was supposed to start activities in 2018 in the North American Soccer League. However, due to the cancellation of NASL, San Diego attempted to join the United Soccer League in 2019 but an agreement couldn’t be reached in time. San Diego was later announced as the first member of a planned Division III league, National Independent Soccer Association. The club will play its home games temporarily in University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium but the plan is to build a new stadium in Oceanside, approximately 40 miles north of downtown San Diego. Demba Ba has labelled San Diego as the ‘project of their life’. “One of our goals is to sign players who have a strong passion for the game, who are competitive and love to win. All my life as a football player I lived with competition and competition is going to be good for us and for San Diego.” Eden Hazard also has great hopes on the San Diego project. “We see great things for this club and for soccer in San Diego. It’s a tremendous honour be a part of this club and to give San Diego what it deserves – professional football.” 2 Real Valladolid - Ronaldo Real Valladolid earned promotion to the La Liga at the end of the 2017/18 season after four years. On September 3, 2018, it was announced that former Brazil international Ronaldo Nazario became the majority shareholder after purchasing 51% controlling stake of the club. "The arrival of Ronaldo puts Real Valladolid on the map and will allow the club to take a leap in quality," said president Carlos Suarez. Ronaldo played in the La Liga for Barcelona and Real Madrid, and speaking at a news conference after the takeover he said: "I have gone through many stages in my training in football to prepare. Football is a passion. This new management will be defined by four words: competitiveness, transparency, revolution and social." Ronaldo’s new team is currently seventh in the league table with 12 points from eight games and is only four points behind table-toppers Sevilla. Prior to owning Valladolid, Ronaldo had a minority stake in NASL club Fort Lauderdale Strikers which was dissolved in 2016. 1 Inter Miami CF - David Beckham David Beckham’s move to the MLS in 2007 was a landmark moment in the history of the league as it thrust the relatively unknown league into the limelight. As a part of his transfer to LA Galaxy, there was an agreement which allowed Beckham to own an MLS expansion team at a discounted franchise fee. In 2014, Beckham exercised his option to buy an MLS expansion team for $25m. The initial plan was to start playing in 2016 or 2017 but it was pushed to 2020 due to delay in getting a stadium deal completed. Beckham’s business partner Simon Fuller and five other businessmen also have stakes in the club. The team’s official name is Internacional de Futbol Miami but is popularly known as Inter Miami. The club intends to build a new stadium the location of which is still to be finalised. Although the club is yet to start its operation, a host of current superstars including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been linked with a future move to the Miami based club. Hopefully, that happens and we get to see Ronaldo and Messi share the field as teammates week in week out.

When Liverpool and Napoli meet in the Stadio San Paolo on Wednesday, one man could be forgiven for wondering what might have been. Piotr Zielinski could, had things worked out differently, have been wearing red instead of blue. He could have been part of Jurgen Klopp’s fast-emerging side, dreaming of Champions League glory and a Premier League challenge. Instead, the Poland international will be looking to stop the Reds in their tracks in Naples. It is more than two years since Zielinski was on Liverpool’s radar, two years since he was close to a move to Anfield. Much has changed since then, of course, but the story is worth revisiting. Klopp arrived on Merseyside in October 2015, replacing Brendan Rodgers, whose once-promising reign had disintegrated rapidly following the title challenge of 2013-14. Liverpool’s feeling was that Rodgers was failing to get the most out of a talented, expensively-assembled group of players. A divide between the management and his recruitment team had done little to help matters, with the Reds operating almost a ‘one for you, one for us’ transfer policy. The club backed Rodgers with signings such as Christian Benteke, while asking him to give ‘committee picks’ such as Roberto Firmino and Emre Can an opportunity. Rodgers, unfortunately, struggled to fully trust those who had been signed for him. Klopp’s first impressions of the squad he inherited were simple; it was talented but imbalanced, lacking pace in attack, depth at centre-back and dynamism in midfield. It was a view shared by Michael Edwards, then the club’s technical director but who would later be appointed to the wider role of sporting director. The January 2016 window, Klopp’s first, saw only one arrival – the emergency short-term signing of defender Steven Caulker – but deals for Schalke defender Joel Matip and Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Grujic were arranged, to be completed that summer. Zielinski, too, was targeted. He had been looked at the previous summer, when Rodgers was still in charge. At that point, he was 21 and in the middle of a two-year loan from Udinese to Empoli. HD Piotr Zielinski Liverpool’s scouts had been alerted to his impressive performances with the Tuscan minnows. Their reports, fed back through Edwards and head of recruitment Dave Fallows, were glowing. Zielinski was two-footed, had terrific awareness and excellent running power, he moved the ball quickly and he had scope for improvement too. He had also, it seemed, flown under the radar of most top clubs; he had made his senior debut for Poland as an 18-year-old in 2013, but would not become a regular for his country until 2016. Initial enquiries were positive, with the player and his representatives keen on a move to England. A fee of around €10 million (£9m/$12m) was suggested, though Liverpool were informed that both Napoli and AC Milan were keen on the player. Liverpool opted to wait that summer, instead bringing in the likes of Benteke, Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings and Nathaniel Clyne at significant cost, but continued to track Zielinski’s form at Empoli as Rodgers’ era ended and Klopp’s began. And by January 2016 they were ready to make their move. Zielinski, who was unsure as to his future, would later claim to have met Klopp at this point, discussing a potential move to Anfield for that summer. “I saw a different world and after returning my head was an even bigger mess,” he said. At Empoli, though, he continued to impress. Liverpool, though, found negotiations difficult. Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo informed that due to the interest in Zielinski being reported in the media – the player was even pictured wearing a Liverpool shirt on Polish television - the price would be going up. Ian Ayre, then the Reds' chief executive, met with Pozzo on numerous occasions to try and finalise a fee, but was told that Liverpool would have to pay a lot more to secure the player, as much as double the initial €10m quoted. An initial offer of €11m (£10m/$13m) was lodged in June 2016, but immediately rejected by Pozzo. Liverpool were also informed that Napoli were close to agreeing a deal with Udinese – crucially, one which would involve one of their players, Juan Camilo Zuniga, as a makeweight. Juan Camilo Zuniga Watford The idea was that once Zielinski signed for Napoli, Colombia international Zuniga would be loaned immediately to Watford, the English arm of the Pozzo family’s football portfolio. Liverpool still felt they were in pole position, with even Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli president, appearing downbeat about his chances of landing Zielinski. De Laurentiis told reporters the player was doing “everything he could” to avoid moving to Naples, joking that “maybe he just loves The Beatles.” Liverpool, meanwhile, were offering a higher price than Napoli but getting no joy out of Pozzo. The Reds had missed out on other targets that summer – Mario Gotze rejected a reunion with a disappointed Klopp, joining Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich, while moves for Ben Chilwell and Christian Pulisic failed to materialise. A midfielder, Klopp insisted, was vital. Liverpool looked at another young talent, Mahmoud Dahoud of Borussia Monchengladbach, but were told it would take in excess of £30m ($39m) to land the 20-year-old and backed away. The following spring, Dahoud moved to Dortmund for £10.5m ($14m). Ayre, Edwards and Klopp worked hard to clear out the deadwood that summer, raising substantial funds through the sales of the likes of Benteke, Jordon Ibe, Joe Allen, Martin Skrtel, Sergi Canos and Brad Smith, and releasing high earners such as Mario Balotelli, Kolo Toure and Jose Enrique. They could have gone back for Zielinski and/or Dahoud. The money was there. Instead, it was proposed that they target a more established midfielder, one who would need no time to adapt to the Premier League, and who could be an immediate fixture in the first team. Gini Wijnaldum was the man, signed from recently-relegated Newcastle in a £25m ($33m) deal as Klopp’s squad headed off on their US tour in July 2016. Georginio Wijnaldum Liverpool Premier League Team of the Week Wijnaldum’s role since joining has evolved somewhat – he arrived with a reputation as a gambling, goalscoring midfielder but has settled as more of a continuity player under Klopp, protecting the ball well, recycling possession and using his football intelligence to make a positive impact defensively. He was Liverpool’s last signing of that summer window, with Zielinski eventually completing his move to Napoli two weeks later. The reported fee was €16m (£14m/$19m) – lower than Liverpool had been willing to pay. Zuniga, incidentally, had moved to Watford on loan a month earlier. In Naples, Zielinski has made an impact, albeit in moments rather than any sustained period of brilliance. He has made more substitute appearances than starts for Napoli in Serie A, though under new boss Carlo Ancelotti he looks like he will be a permanent fixture, starting seven of the first eight games of this campaign. Under Ancelotti’s predecessor, Maurizio Sarri, he was used almost as the ‘12th man’ dipping in and out without ever nailing down a place. Think of Pedro or Willian at Chelsea under Sarri now, perhaps? The expectation is that he will soon pen an extension to his Napoli contract, complete with a buy-out clause of €100 million (£89m/$116m). His current deal expires in 2021 and has a clause worth €65m (£58m/$75m). Chelsea, predictably, and Arsenal were both linked during the summer. Those close to Zielinski, and those who have tracked his career closely, still believe he can go on to become one of the best players Poland has ever produced. The talent is there, the attributes are there; now it’s about putting it all together, taking his opportunities. Zielinski Feyenoord Napoli Champions League As for the long-term future, who knows? Dreams of one day playing in England remain – Klopp and Liverpool continue to track his progress from afar – and at 24 time is very much on Zielinski’s side. For now, though, his aims are simple; stay in the Napoli team, make his presence felt under Ancelotti. And in the short, short term, show Liverpool what they could have won.

In many ways this was exactly the kind of fixture Manchester United needed. After the week from hell which culminated in a pathetic 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Saturday, the visit of an under-performing Valencia to Old Trafford on Tuesday could have been hand-picked.

But their inability to create anything of any note in a tense and tepid 0-0 draw emphasised the state of things right now in M16. Paul Scholes claimed before kick-off that Jose Mourinho’s management of the club had reached “embarrassing” levels, and the events on the pitch will have done nothing to alleviate the pressure on the under-fire Portuguese.

For the opening 10 minutes it looked like United were ready to throw everything at the cause, with their attacking tempo being high and their football smart. Yet that quickly evaporated and thereafter United’s performance was lacking in confidence, belief and creativity.

Aside from a couple of moments of individual intent from Marcus Rashford there were few signs that the home side were going to cause serious issues for a Valencia side boasting only one win in eight matches this season. United’s build-up was far too slow, far too predictable, and the result was a bore-fest for much of the night.

Things could easily have been worse for them, as Goncalo Guedes proved time and again to have the beating of Antonio Valencia but on almost every occasion he managed to waste the opportunity to cause United serious damage.

Right now United need to be much, much better than this. There are rifts in the camp, with the manager barely speaking to many of his players, and all the while the football has become as tedious as at any stage in the 55-year-old’s reign.

They needed more than anything to work up the supporters tonight, subsequently generating the kind of vociferous atmosphere which has dragged Manchester United kicking and screaming over the line in many a Champions League night for years gone by. But instead they sucked the life out of the whole occasion.

And that is exactly where we are with United at this moment in time. Mourinho is questioning his players’ desire at every turn, the players are questioning the manager’s tactics, and the rest of the world has been forced to pick a side. Add in the fact the game had to be delayed because United arrived late for a home game and the club's slow slide into the realms of ridiculousness are there for all to see.

All the while, their football is every bit as anxious and uncertain as is every supporter of a red, white and black persuasion.

With the likes of Ryan Giggs, Denis Law and David Beckham in attendance this should have been a night to remind the United greats of some of the wonderful Old Trafford nights of yesteryear. Instead, every time they were caught on camera they looked as though they would rather be anywhere else, and their mood reflected that of the whole stadium. As a neutral it was hard not to feel embarrassed on their behalf given the turgid rubbish being served up in front of them.

There was a flicker of late drama when Rashford drove a left-wing free-kick onto the far corner of the Valencia woodwork, but like so many United performances of late they never really looked likely to grab a winner.

But neither did they really deserve one. When your football is too slow, your passing too indecisive and your every move carrying signs of nervousness, 0-0 draws are about the best you can hope for.

This mess is not about to end quickly, and could get far more embarrassing yet.

Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia has apologised for inadvertently 'liking' an Instagram post calling for manager Jose Mourinho to be sacked.

Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia has apologised for inadvertently 'liking' an Instagram post calling for manager Jose Mourinho to be sacked.

The Red Devils manager came under increasing pressure on Tuesday following a 0-0 draw with Spanish club Valencia at Old Trafford in the Champions League, prior to which club legend Paul Scholes had said that he was "embarrassing the club".

Fuel was poured on the fire by the 33-year-old, who liked an Instagram post criticising the manager after the draw.

"I'm not even surprised about the outcome of this game," the user posted. "I always look forward to our games but recently Mourinho has made watching us a punishment now. Something needs to change. It's time for Mourinho to go."

Valencia was spotted as having 'liked' the post and was forced to post a hasty apology online.

Posting on Twitter, he said: "Yesterday, I liked a post on Instagram without reading the text that accompanied the picture. These are not my views and I apologise for this. I am fully supportive of the manager and my teammates. We are all giving our everything to improve the results."

Yesterday, I liked a post on Instagram without reading the text that accompanied the picture. These are not my views and I apologise for this. I am fully supportive of the manager and my teammates. We are all giving our everything to improve the results.pic.twitter.com/bMEsrAwMkh

— Antonio Valencia (@anto_v25)October 3, 2018

In the aftermath of the game, Valencia had pledged his support to the former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Inter boss amid reports of a falling out between the duo.

"No, I have never had any problem with anyone, thank God," Valencia said. "The decision [about the captaincy] is for the coach to make, now we need to see the positives. We played an important game and got a point, now we have a game against Newcastle and we need to fight.

"What I can say from the inside is that the lads are calm, working every day with a good attitude. We haven't got good results and that's why rumours arise."

The Ecuador international right-back played his fifth match of the season for the Old Trafford side on Tuesday. He had missed the opening couple of fixtures of the season due to a calf strain, meaning Paul Pogba took the captain's armband, and was also rested for last weekend's surprise 3-1 defeat at West Ham.