The names of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar now, during the main sports competition, are heard even by those who are not at all interested in football. But how many people know where world famous football players were born? We talk about the hometowns of the most famous players and what you can see in them.
7. Keylor Navas
Perez Celedon, Costa Rica
Photo: @keylornavas1/@alegoye/Instagram.com
Keylor Navas was born in a small town in Costa Rica. When he was four years old, Keillor’s parents went to work in the United States and left him with his grandmother. However, before this, his father took him to a match for the first time, instilling in his son a love of football – at the age of five the boy began studying at a football school.
Not far from Navas’s hometown is La Amistad International Park. This is a natural reserve that occupies the territory of two countries – Costa Rica and Panama. It offers opportunities for river rafting, hiking and bird watching. In addition, La Amistada is home to about nine thousand species of plants and about 500 species of trees—and scientists are still discovering new ones.
6. Paul Pogba
Lagny-sur-Marne, France
Photo: paulpogba/@antoinepgnd_gallery/Instagram.com
Paul Pogba’s parents moved to France from Guinea two years before his birth. At the age of six, Paul, along with his two older brothers, was sent to a football academy, where he stood out noticeably among others and beat opponents older than himself. That same year he joined the children’s team, and seven years later he moved to the capital’s club.
The football player’s hometown is a small commune in the suburbs of Paris, from where there is a direct train from the capital. The town itself has little to surprise you in terms of attractions and entertainment, but less than 10 kilometers away is Disneyland Paris.
5. Manuel Neuer
Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Photo: @manuelneuer/@jamilalyou/Instagram.com
Manuel Neuer was born in the German city of Gelsenkirchen. From the window of his house he could see the Parkstadion stadium, where the football players of the local club Schalke 04 trained – Neuer later ended up there.
In Gelsenkirchen it is worth seeing the ancient castles of Berge and Ost, going to the Ruhr Musical Theater and strolling through one of the many city parks. Neuer also opened a fund to help sick children in his hometown – the footballer donates part of his fees to charity.
4. Luis Suarez
Salto, Uruguay
Photo: @luissuarez9/@lucascaraballo/Instagram.com
Salto is the second largest city in Uruguay, while in terms of population it is 15 times smaller than the capital. In the vicinity of the city is the thermal resort of Fuente Salto, built on natural hot springs. There is also a spa complex and a water park. In the city itself you can visit Jose Artigas Square and Solaris Park, and, of course, look at the statue of Luis Suarez. By the way, Salto is the birthplace of three more famous football players: Edinson Cavani, Pedro Rocha and Jose Andrade (1930 world champion).
3. Neymar
Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
Photo: @neymarjr/@poraiemmogi/Instagram.com
The football player was born in the small town of Mogi das Cruzes in the state of Sao Paulo. Neymar loved football from early childhood, and his first coach was his father, also a professional football player. Mogi das Cruzes has a thriving industrial and agricultural sector: the city has several large factories and fruits and flowers, especially orchids, grow in large quantities. In addition, Mogi das Cruzes is famous for its parks and nature reserves – among them Leon Feffer and Neblinas. And here you can look at the Francisco Ribeiro Nogueira Stadium, where Neymar’s father played for the Uniao club.
2. Lionel Messi
Rosario, Argentina
Photo: @leomessi/@ilkaluetichpodesta/Instagram.com
Messi was born into a large family in the third largest city in Argentina. He got into football thanks to his grandmother: she brought five-year-old Leo to the amateur club “Grandoli”. In 2017, Messi played his wedding in Rosario, among the guests were many famous football players.
In Messi’s hometown, it’s worth seeing the National Flag Monument, San Martin Square and the Palace of the Lions, as well as going to the Historical Museum and taking a walk in Independence Park. In addition, Rosario is also the birthplace of Che Guevara, so many travel companies offer routes to places associated with it.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Funchal, Portugal
Photo: Getty Images/@funchalcity/Instagram.com
The most famous football player in the world was born in the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira in Portugal. Funchal is known for its large seaport and beaches, popular with tourists. Among the main attractions are the Wine Museum, the Monastery of Santa Clare, the Fortress of San Tiago and the Botanical Garden, which displays about 3,000 plants from different countries. And in 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo opened the Pestana CR7 hotel in Funchal, where grass grows everywhere, like on a football field, and various football trophies hang in the lobby. Next to the hotel is the CR7 Museum, dedicated to Ronaldo’s awards, which displays 150 awards, many photographs, letters from fans and a wax figure of the footballer.
Text author: Yana Kasatkina
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