A family of brothers who play professional football is not unusual. It’s even more uncommon to have two siblings representing different countries.
Today, we’ll take a look at several brothers who not only represent separate national teams, but also compete against one another.
Table of Contents
1. Wilson Eduardo (Angola) and Joao Mario (Portugal)
Wilson Eduardo is Joao Mario’s older brother, who plays for Benfica. Both of the brothers are Angolan. Wilson played youth football for Portugal and declined the opportunity to play for Angola’s senior team in 2013. Eduardo, on the other hand, reversed his choice to play for Angola in 2019, even scoring in his first appearance for the country. And since 2014, Joao Mario has represented Portugal. The midfielder was a member of Portugal’s Euro 2016 winning team as well as Sporting’s 2021 La Liga victory.
2. Jerome (Germany) and Kevin Prince Boateng (Ghana)
With a Ghanaian father and two distinct German mothers, the Boateng family is half-brothers. They began their careers as members of the German young squad. Kevin Prince, Jerome’s older brother, was an offensive midfielder who decided to play for his father’s homeland of Ghana. Jerome has competed for Germany in a number of international events, including the World Cup.
In 2014, he was a member of the Brazilian team that won the World Cup. Kevin Prince was a member of Ghana’s World Cup teams in 2010 and 2014. He and his brother broke the record for being the first brothers to play for two different national teams in 2014. Germany will face each country in the group stage, starting with Ghana.
3. Granit (Switzerland) & Taulant Xhaka (Albania)
The Zaka brothers both have Albanian parents. Taurant, the older sibling, plays defensive midfield, whereas Granit plays more advanced midfield. Taurant is playing for his country because his parents are there in Albania despite of being adopted in Switzerland . The siblings had the opportunity to meet in international competition when Switzerland played Albania in the Euro 2016 group stage.
4. Paul (France), Florentin & Mathias Pogba (Guinea)
Paul Pogba is a well-known player. The World Cup winner in 2018 is largely considered as one of the game’s most inventive midfielders. Few people are aware that he has a brother who, albeit for Guinea, also plays international football. Florentin and Mathias, twins, used to play for Guinea.
5.Thiago (Spain) and Rafinha Alcantara (Brazil)
The Alcantara siblings share a love of football with their father, former Brazil international Iomar do Nascimento (Mazinho). Thiago Sr. has had a more successful career and continues to represent Spain at the international level. Rafinha has only appeared twice for Brazil.
6. Steve for france, Parfait & Riffi Mandanda (Congo)
This brothers are from same family who play as goalkeepers in different nations. Steve Mandanda is a goalkeeper for Charleroi and a member of the French national team. Buffy has two younger brothers, one of whom is Steve. Riffi Mandanda and Over Mandanda are goalkeepers for Kongsvinger and Bordeaux, respectively.
