10 sets of players you didn't know were related
Take a look at ten sets of players whose familial ties extend into the world of football.
Nemanja Matic and Nikola Ristovski
The famous Serbian midfielder who plays for Manchester United has a relative who plays for Kosice in the Slovakian league two. His name is Nikola Ristovski, he also plays in midfield, and he arrived at Kosice after being recommended by his cousin.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Alex Harlley
The already legendary Togolese striker has a nephew in football. The Istanbul Basaksehir forward is the uncle of Alex Harlley, a midfielder for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Like his uncle, he has strength on his side, and imposes himself physically on the pitch.
Andre-Pierre Gignac and Yohan Mollo
The powerful Tigres forward has a cousin who plays in Russia and who, back in the day showed great promise for French football. Mollo is immensely skilful and like Gignac, is a great dribbler.
Bafetimbi Gomis and Nampalys Mendy
The extravagant French forward Gomis has a cousin in the Premier League. Mendy plays for Leicester as a defensive midfielder, but is on loan at Nice.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Royston Drenthe
The Liverpool star has achieved in the Premier League what his cousin Drenthe could not. The former Real Madrid winger is now retired. Wijnaldum is also the half-brother of Huddersfield player Rajiv Van La Parra.
Daniel Wass and Nickie Bille Nielsen
The Danish international, who plays for Celta Vigo, has a very well-known cousin in La Liga. Fellow Denmark international Nielsen went through Villarreal, Elche and Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league.
Luka Modric and Mark Viduka
The Real Madrid midfielder, who is one of the best players on the planet, carries the footballing genes. Before him came his cousin, Viduka, who was born in Australia. Despite their familial ties, the pair do not have a very close relationship.
Fabrice Ondoa and Andre Onana
The two Cameroonian goalkeepers not only shared equipment at the Barcelona youth academy for many years, but also share a family bond. The duo are cousins, although Ondoa plays for Sevilla Atletico, whilst Onana plays for Ajax.
Romelu Lukaku and Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo
The family network behind the Manchester United striker extend beyond his brother Jordan, who plays for Lazio. Romelu's cousin plays for SK Rapid Wien. He is also Belgian, although of Congolese origin.
Samuel Eto'o and Ulrich Bapoh
A legend of the game, Eto'o is already joined by one of his nephews at the professional level. Bapoh plays as an attacking midfielder in the youth levels of Bochum. His level, apparently, is very high, since he has already played for Germany in the U18s on a regular basis. The pair play in different positions, but considering their genes, it seems a new star is coming.