Today, we celebrate Friendship Day. Usually we see a very good chemistry between players on the pitch but their are some players who are not only good friends on the field but also have a great chemistry off the field. Here is a list of 11 Friendships between Footballers who are friends on and off the filed.
1. Luka Modric and Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale joined Tottenham Hotspurs in 2007. Before joining, he played as left-back for Southampton. Eventually he transformed into a right-winger because of his attacking style of football. The following season Luka Modric joined Tottenham from Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian midfielder showed a lot of promise and was signed for a club record transfer fee at that time of 16.5 million Pounds, in 2008. Since then, they both have played together for Tottenham and Real Madrid.
They have a great understanding on the field and Luka Modric is always looking to provide a ball to Gareth Bale. Later, in 2013 Luka Modric joined Real Madrid and Gareth Bale also joined in the following season for a world record transfer fee at that time of 100 million Euros. The same season Modric and Bale won the La Decima for Real Madrid. They also went on to win three UEFA Champions League in a row. They both have now played for 12 years together and winning 16 trophies together in the process.
2. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lucas Podolski
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lucas Podolski have played together for Germany. Both the players debuted for German international team in the same year in 2004. Since then they have won many trophies including the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Later, in the post match interview Podolski mentioned how 10 years ago they both drove together for Germany U-21 team. Ten years since then they are world champions. Together they have also played for Bayern Munich for three seasons, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal cup in the season 2007/08. Shortly afterwards, Podolski made a move to F.C.Koln.
3. Robert Lewandowski and Marco Reus
The Polish international Robert Lewandowski and his former teammate Marco Reus played together for Borrusia Dortmund although, they only played for two seasons. Later Robert Lewandowski moved to Borrusia Dortmund’s domestic rivals Bayern Munich on a free transfer fee. It was a dream team in the season 2012/13 when they reached the UEFA Champions League final under Jurgen Klopp. But sadly, lost in the final against Bayern Munich. Lewandowski and Reus played a very important role for their huge success. Even though they now play for rival clubs, they still remain close friends. Lewandowski was very emotional to see Reus when they first met as rivals and almost was in tears.
4. Dani Alves and Neymar JR
Dani Alves and Neymar JR are very good friends. They first played together for Brazil. Neymar was a youngster who played for Santos at that time. A few years later, in 2014 Neymar joined F.C.Barcelona from there they became very close. They went on to win every trophy for F.C.Barcelona including a treble in the season 2014/15. After eight years playing for Barcelona, Dani Alves left the club to join Juventus. But their paths crossed again in Paris. Neymar joined PSG for a world record transfer fee of 222 million Euros where they played together again for two seasons.
5. Ronaldinho and Carlos Puyol
Carlos Puyol played his entire career for F.C.Barcelona. Just after few seasons after his debut for the main team, he was named club captain. On the other hand, Ronaldinho played for eight different teams in his senior career. He joined F.C.Barcelona in 2003 and played for five seasons at the club. Both players have a great respect for each other. Ronaldinho later in an interview revealed that Carlos Puyol helped an integral part in shaping his career. After Ronaldinho left F.C.Barcelona to join A.C.Milan, he returned to Camp Nou two years later. Puyol invited Ronaldinho who played for A.C.Milan at that time to join the group photo. It was a wonderful gesture and that moment is surely one of the best moments in football history.
6. Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vazquez
Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vazquez are arguably best friends on and off the field. They are always celebrating goals together. After the season, during the breaks they both are often seen enjoying vacation together with their families. Lucas Vazquez played for Real Madrid Castilla and was later loaned out to Espanyol. He was brought back in the main squad for Real Madrid in 2015. Since then, he is constantly improved his game which gave him a chance to feature for Spain. These two set a great example of friendship on and off the field.
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Borrusia Dortmund in 2013. He was brought in from A.C.Milan to replace the void of Robert Lewandowski who left Dortmund to join their rivals Bayern Munich. Aubameyang, however, did not disappoint. He certainly filled in the void of Robert Lewandowski not only for Borrusia Dortmund but also as a friend for Marco Reus. They linked their chemistry right away. Although, Marco Reus spent a lot of time on sidelines due to his injuries. Aubameyang set himself perfectly in Dortmund. He made 144 appearances for them in five seasons he played scoring 98 goals for the club.
8. Andres Iniesta and Xavi
Andres Iniesta and Xavi have played together forever for F.C.Barcelona and also for the Spanish international team. Winning every possible trophy available. Arguably the best mid-field duo in the history of football. They together have played for 13 years. Xavi in an interview mentioned how good their chemistry is, he said he knows exactly where to pass the ball to Iniesta without even looking. Together, they have won two trebles for Barcelona. They also have won the world cup for Spain in 2010 and UEFA Euro Cup in 2008 and 2012.
9. David Alaba and Frank Ribery
David Alaba and Frank Ribery played for Bayern Munich for many years. On that left flank, they have dominated for many years at Bayern Munich. Frank Ribery befriended David Alaba despite being nine years older than the Austrian international. The duo was enjoying their chemistry on that left flank for Bayern Munich. They knew each other’s moves and intentions perfectly. Both are always seen joking around in the training, pulling pranks on each other. They set a great example of the way a friendship should be. Even after Frank Ribery left the club after 12 years they still have a close relationship and are still in contact.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo enjoyed nine years together playing for Real Madrid. Before leaving Real Madrid to join Juventus in 2018, Ronaldo had already informed Marcelo before everyone that he was leaving the club. They developed their relationship both on and off the field but their friendship didn’t start off well. When Marcelo and Ronaldo first met for their respective countries, they ended up fighting each other but later Ronaldo joined Real Madrid and these two dominated the left wings for nine years at the club.
11. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar JR
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar JR, the former front three of F.C.Barcelona famously know as MSN. After Luis Suarez joined F.C.Barcelona in 2014, the MSN trio was formed. They had an incredible first season winning the treble for Barcelona in 2015. With Neymar on left wing, Messi on right and Suarez as the forward. Their relationship is very close on and off the field. Even though, after Neymar’s transfer to PSG in 2017, they still are in contact with each other and still have a close relationship.
Happy Friendship Day to everyone. Hope you all enjoyed the article on 11 Friendships between Footballers. Whose friendship do you like the most? Comment below your favorite friendships in football.
