This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Five Footballers Who Became Parents in Their Teenage Years ¶
Life as a professional footballer can be a whirlwind experience, filled with both excitement and challenges. For some, the transition from being an academy player to a top-flight footballer can be particularly daunting. However, for a select few, this transition also brings new responsibilities, including becoming a parent at a young age.
According to various reports, several high-profile footballers have become parents before they turned 20. In this article, we take a closer look at five such footballers who have navigated this journey.
Eden Hazard
Chelsea and Belgium forward Eden Hazard became a father at the age of 19. He met his partner, Natasha Van Honacker, at the age of 14, and the two got married in April 2012. They have three children together, with their first child, Yannis, born on December 19, 2010. Their second son, Leo, was born in 2013, and their third child, Samy, was born in 2015.
Jack Wilshere
Former Arsenal and England international Jack Wilshere became a father at the age of 19. His ex-partner, Lauren Neal, gave birth to their first child, Archie, in September 2011, and their second child, Delilah, in September 2013. The couple later broke up due to Wilshere's infidelity.
Neymar
Paris St Germain superstar Neymar had a son, David Lucca da Silva, with ex-girlfriend Carolina Dantas in 2011. Lucca was born on August 24, 2011, when Neymar was just 19 years old. The couple split up due to unknown reasons, but Neymar continues to visit his son regularly.
Raheem Sterling
Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling has one confirmed child, Melody Rose Sterling, who was born in 2012. However, there have been various rumors and allegations about Sterling having more children with different women.
Anthony Martial
Ex-Monaco man Anthony Martial became a father at the age of 19. He met the mother of his children, Samantha, when he was 17 years old, and she was already pregnant with their first child, Peyton, by the time they were 19. The couple later split up due to Martial's infidelity, leaving him to pursue his Manchester United career as a single man.
