Photo: The 8 ball collectors who have become planetary stars

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Nobody really knows what his life will be like. The players on this list themselves could certify it to you … Children, they were pickers of balls and dreamed to be stars of football. Time has passed, they have grown, matured, hardened, and are now cracks of the ball!

Patrick Kluivert

Kluivert began as a ball collector and was still taking pictures with Van Basten, then became one of the legends of Ajax and Barca.

Andrés D’Alessandro

One more who has achieved his dream. He began his career picking up River Balls and eventually became one of the greatest talents in Argentine football.

Mateo Kovacic

He is today one of the pillars of Real Madrid’s squad, but it has not been easy. The player also started as a ball-gatherer before experiencing triumph.

Carlos Tévez

A young Carlos Tévez posed with his idol, Juan Román Riquelme, while he officiated collector during meetings. Who could have warned this young boy that he would find his idol on the grounds?

Wesley Sneijder

Raúl

This is perhaps the best-known story. He started young running behind the lost balls of Atlético de Madrid. Then he entered the training center ‘Colchoneros’ and from there he joined the other big club of the city: Real Madrid.

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Nobody really knows what his life will be like. The players on this list themselves could certify it to you … Children, they were pickers of balls and dreamed to be stars of football. Time has passed, they have grown, matured, hardened, and are now cracks of the ball!

Arda Turan

This is perhaps the best-known story. He started young running behind the lost balls of Atlético de Madrid. Then he entered the training center ‘Colchoneros’ and from there he joined the other big club of the city: Real Madrid.

Guardiola

And our dear Pep Guardiola comes to close this list. The Catalan dreamed while being on the side of the pitch to be an internationally renowned player, and he perfectly managed his boat: not only did he have a great playing career, but his coaching career was as important.

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