Football, also known as soccer, is considered one of the most popular sports worldwide. The sport has garnered an enormous following with millions of fans cheering on their favorite teams from around the world. The sport has also become a lucrative industry, with owners of clubs investing billions of dollars each year to keep them competitive in various major football leagues worldwide. Among these club owners, there are billionaires who have made their fortune through different enterprises and have invested in football clubs over time. But who is the richest football billionaire?
The richest football billionaire is Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), with a net worth of $194 billion, according to Forbes. Arnault has significant assets such as Christian Dior, Sephora, and, most notably, Louis Vuitton, which made him one of the wealthiest people globally, topping Forbes’ list as the world’s richest person in May 2021.
In addition to his fashion empire, Arnault is also the owner of the Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The French billionaire purchased the club in 2011 through his investment firm, Groupe Arnault. The club has since undergone extensive restructuring, including upgrades to its stadium, Parc des Princes, and signing world-class players such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. PSG is now considered as one of the most valuable football clubs globally, with Forbes valuing it at $2.5 billion.
The club’s enormous success has been linked to Arnault’s commitment to investing in the team and creating a global brand. Arnault’s personal net worth has allowed PSG to attract high profile players from Europe and other continents, making PSG a force to reckon with, both domestically and internationally. In 2020, the club won its seventh Ligue 1 title and reached the Champions League final for the first time in its history.
Aside from PSG, Bernard Arnault also co-owns the Belgian football club R.S.C. Anderlecht with his fellow billionaire Marc Coucke. The club has a rich history and is regarded as one of the most successful clubs in Belgian football. The club has won 34 Belgian championships, nine Belgian cups, and twice reached the final of the UEFA Cup.
In conclusion, Bernard Arnault is the richest football billionaire in the world, with a personal net worth of $194 billion. His impact on the sport is significant, evident through his ownership of PSG and R.S.C. Anderlecht. His investments in PSG have turned the club into one of the most valuable clubs globally, attracting the world’s best players and creating a football brand across the world. Arnault’s impact on football extends beyond PSG, with his co-ownership of one of the most successful Belgian clubs demonstrating his influence within the sport.
