Ex-Premier League winner and World Cup finalist now sells supercars for a living
Former Manchester City star Nigel de Jong is selling luxury cars after calling time on his football career a couple of years back.
The former Dutch international, who was part of the team that lost to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final, confirmed his retirement in 2021 following stints in Turkey, Italy, Germany and Qatar. He started working with the Dutch FA in 2023 but has been running a side business selling posh cars since 2007, with ex-footballers among his clientele.
He revealed in a 2018 interview that his love for motors comes from his grandfather, a former CEO of Ford in Holland, whom he admired greatly. "I looked up to him, and off the pitch, I wanted to be like him," the ex-midfielder said.
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"God gave me the talent and the strength to become a football player, which gave me the financial resources and empowerment to improve in other areas. I think it's so important for football players to be smart with what they do with their salaries, because it can become an investment or be gone before you know it."
"It is very tempting in our industry to live for now to buy the expensive cars and live a flashy lifestyle but you have to plan so you're able to do that in future too. This is an education players should get from a very early age to help them deal with the money they'll make."
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De Jong's business is stationed in Hamburg, where he used to play his club football before moving to Manchester in 2009. His clientele includes German football stars Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil, as well as sheikhs and other loaded individuals, according to the Mirror.
"Some people say footballers are thick and not bright enough to be entrepreneurs," De Jong shared with Bundesliga.com during a stint back in Germany with Mainz. "But when I see that a company has potential, I move the borders and go all the way for it."
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After hanging up his boots in Qatar, De Jong has had more time to focus on things outside football. However, in 2023, he made a comeback to the game when he was offered the role of technical director with the Dutch national side.
"I want to help improve Dutch top football, for men and women," De Jong shared when his new role was revealed. "The Netherlands has always had the ambition to belong to the absolute world top. The talent we have at present and our past history justify that ambition. Working in top football requires specific knowledge and experience. In my years as a player I have gained this at various clubs in the Netherlands and abroad and I can use it now."
Since De Jong's arrival, the Dutch men's team has achieved their first goal by securing a spot in Euro 2024. Despite losing against France, they won their other six games to clinch second place.
The Netherlands women's team also put on a strong show at the 2023 World Cup, but were defeated by Spain in the quarter-finals. However, they've bounced back with three victories in four Nations League matches, giving them a solid chance of reaching the finals.
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