<p>After retiring, many players choose to invest in or own clubs, but in recent years stars such as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/"><strong>Lionel Messi</strong></a>, <strong>Cristiano Ronaldo</strong> and <strong>Kylian Mbappé</strong> have joined a growing group of active players holding ownership stakes while still competing. This time, another Real Madrid star has followed that trend, <strong>as </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/thibaut-courtois/"><strong>Thibaut Courtois</strong></a><strong> has become a co-owner of a European club while continuing his playing career</strong>.</p>



<p><strong>Courtois announced that he will be involved in the ownership of Le Mans FC through his investment group NxtPlay</strong>, providing capital as part of the team’s long-term project. The French side has also unveiled a major internal restructuring, with a Brazilian investment fund Outfield, that was already involved, now becoming the club’s majority stakeholder.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, NxtPlay is an investment group that also includes stars from other sports such as <strong>tennis legend Novak Djokovic and former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen</strong>. That means all of these figures, including Courtois, are now minority owners and shareholders of Le Mans.</p>



<p><strong>Le Mans have shown steady progress in France</strong>, finishing 15th last season before earning promotion to Ligue 2, <strong>where they currently sit fifth amid a 20-game unbeaten run</strong>. They also reached the Round of 16 in the Coupe de France, and with this new investment and the influence of Courtois and his partners, the club aims to push for promotion to Ligue 1.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Après <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjokerNole</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinMagnussen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KevinMagnussen</a> et <a href="https://twitter.com/MassaFelipe19?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MassaFelipe19</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/thibautcourtois?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thibautcourtois</a> monte à bord du projet LE MANS FC via son véhicule d&apos;investissement NXTPLAY 🏎️<br><br>Bienvenue Thibaut, bienvenue NXTPLAY 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllezLEMANSFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllezLEMANSFC</a> ❤️💛 <a href="https://t.co/6XjolKNpt9">pic.twitter.com/6XjolKNpt9</a></p>— LE MANS FC (@LEMANSFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LEMANSFC/status/2024450422384079073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Other active players who own clubs</h2>



<p>Depending on the country and its regulations, active players may be restricted from owning or holding shares in clubs within the same domestic system, as it could raise integrity concerns. Still, <strong>some have found ways to invest, either abroad or under permitted structures</strong>.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/barcelona-presidential-candidate-takes-subtle-swipe-at-joan-laporta-over-lionel-messis-controversial-departure/"></div>


<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kylian-mbappe/"><strong>Mbappé</strong></a><strong>, for example, became the majority investor in SM Caen in 2024 for a reported €20 million</strong>. Because he had already completed his move to Spain by that point, the arrangement did not pose a conflict within French competition rules, making him one of the youngest club owners in the sport.</p>



<p>Another notable partnership is led by Inter Miami stars <strong>Messi</strong> and <strong>Luis Suarez</strong>. Founded in May 2025, <strong>the South American icons entered the ownership arena with Deportivo LSM</strong>, a club currently competing in the fourth division in Uruguay.</p>



<p>In Saudi Arabia, regulations appear different, <strong>as </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/"><strong>Ronaldo</strong></a><strong> is reported to own 15% of Al Nassr, his current team</strong>. Other active players such as <strong>Vinícius Júnior</strong> (Alverca), <strong>Luka Modrić</strong> (Swansea City) and <strong>N’Golo Kanté</strong> (Royal Excelsior Virton) are also part of a growing trend of players expanding their influence in soccer from the ownership side while still active on the field.</p>


Thibaut Courtois follows Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappé’s footsteps, becomes co-owner of European club while still playing

Thibaut Courtois follows Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappé’s footsteps, becomes co-owner of European club while still playing - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Football is not always a beautiful game; sometimes bookings are necessary. This season was no different in Germany, even if statistically player discipline was comparatively better than in the past several seasons. While goal scorers have the Torjägerkanone (awarded by the magazine <a href="http://www.kicker.de" target="_blank" title="kicker">kicker</a>) to shoot for, no comparable trophy exists for the Bundesliga’s best/worst troublemakers. That is a need BundesligaTalk can fill. We can think of no one better than Stefan “<a href="http://bundesliga.de/en/statistik/spieler/index.php" title="Bundesliga Statistics" target="_blank">111 Yellow Cards in only 370 Bundesliga Games</a>” Effenberg after whom to name the trophy. History will remember Effenberg as so many things: the architect of Bayern’s Champions League-winning midfield in 2001,  not-so-celebrated author, and now an annual trophy’s namesake as well.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bundesligatalk.com/german-indiscipline-the-bundesligas-most-booked/8/stefan-effenberg/" rel="attachment wp-att-14" title="Stefan Effenberg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/8/files/2008/06/effe4.jpg" alt="Stefan Effenberg" align="middle" hspace="15" vspace="15"></figure></div></a></p>
<p>So who is this year’s worthy winner?</p>
<p>3. Grafite (Edinaldo Batista Líbano)<strong> </strong>– VfL Wolfsburg, Striker (9 Yellows, 1 Red)<br>
<a href="http://www.bundesligatalk.com/german-indiscipline-the-bundesligas-most-booked/8/grafite/" rel="attachment wp-att-11" title="Grafite"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/8/files/2008/06/grafite.jpg" alt="Grafite" align="right" hspace="15" vspace="15"></figure></div></a>Grafite begins this countdown, barely edging out Tomasz Zdebel for third place (who had comparable numbers, but in more games and with a less interesting name).  His 9 yellows and 1 red were earned in just 22 starts for Wolfsburg this season.  This was a significant increase from his numbers the previous year with Le Mans in the French Ligue 1.  Across the board he improved in goals, assists, and yellow cards per game.  It appears as though he’s adapted to the Bundesliga quite well.  Look for him to make a strong push for the top spot next season (and on the scoring charts as well).</p>
<p>2. Mark Van Bommel – Bayern München, Midfielder (7 Yellows, 2 Reds)<br>
<a href="http://www.bundesligatalk.com/german-indiscipline-the-bundesligas-most-booked/8/mark-van-bommel/" rel="attachment wp-att-12" title="Mark Van Bommel"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/8/files/2008/06/van-bommel.jpg" alt="Mark Van Bommel" align="right" hspace="15" vspace="15"></figure></div></a>No one does it with less class on a consistent basis than Mark Van Bommel.  An entire article full of youtube clips could be dedicated to his antics.  In the 26 Bundesliga games he started this season (undoubtedly it would have been more had it not been for the constant suspensions) he made quite an impression and online readers of the German tabloid Bild duly voted him this year’s “Stinkstiefel” (“stinking boot”).  Statistics aside, he’d likely win the Eurovision vote-in equivalent for least likeable player.</p>
<p>1. Mihai Tararache – MSV Duisburg, Midfielder (13 Yellows, 1 Red)<br>
<a href="http://www.bundesligatalk.com/german-indiscipline-the-bundesligas-most-booked/8/mihai-tararache/" rel="attachment wp-att-13" title="Mihai Tararache"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/8/files/2008/06/tararache.jpg" alt="Mihai Tararache" align="right" hspace="15" vspace="15"></figure></div></a>While a bit of subjectivity marked the decision to put Van Bommel and Grafite on the list Tararache is without doubt the only choice to win.  It would be a bit harsh to suggest that Tararache’s antics alone doomed Duisburg to drop, but his 13 yellows and 1 red certainly didn’t help.  It would not be unfair to mention that his on the field performances sealed Duisburg’s spot at the bottom of the <a href="http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga/news/2007/index.php?f=94851.php" target="_blank" title="Bundesliga&apos;s Fairplay Rankings">Bundesliga’s fairplay rankings</a>.   So while he will likely not be around next season to defend his trophy, how does he compare to the worst offenders of some of the other major European leagues?  Not well, honestly:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.laligatalk.com" title="La Liga Talk">Spain</a> – The league may be lauded for its players’ technical skill but they’re also either very tenacious or very sloppy in going after the ball.  Mihai Tararache, the Bundesliga’s poor discipline standard bearer would do no better than sixth behind Daniel Alves, Fernando Amorebieta, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Ayala, and Aitor Ocio.  Interestingly enough both Fernando Amorebieta and Aitor Ocio play for Athletic Bilbao, perhaps the Bundesliga could learn something from the Basques?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.serieatalk.com" title="Serie A Talk">Italy</a> – While not quite as outrageous a disciplinary situation as in Spain, it seems as though everyone in Serie A is required to end the season with at least half a dozen yellows.  Tararache would place third behind Manuele Blasi and Morris Carrozzieri (while a strong argument can be made for Napoli’s Maurizio Domizzi above Tararache as well).</p>
<p><a href="http://epltalk.com" title="EPL Talk">England</a> – Reliable old England.  Finally something the Germans can proudly say we do better than the English (not including World Cups, European Championships, Health care, etc.): player indiscipline.  Mihai Tararache would comfortably place first (having played in a league with fewer games to boot) ahead of Nicky Butt, Nigel Reo-Coker, and Christopher Samba.</p>


German (In)discipline: The Bundesliga’s Most Booked

German (In)discipline: The Bundesliga’s Most Booked - World Soccer Talk

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Thibaut Courtois follows Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappé’s footsteps, becomes co-owner of European club while still playing

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German (In)discipline: The Bundesliga’s Most Booked