- Huge international football events are always captivating
- Real brothers playing for their respective national teams – together or on rival teams – is captivating
- It teaches crucial lessons on tolerance
Huge international football events are always captivating; this time around, it is the story of FIFA World Cup 2022 brothers playing together.
Real brothers playing for their respective national teams – together or on rival teams – is captivating and emotionally resonant. Any footballer’s dream is to represent their nation at a World Cup, regardless.
It makes even more remarkable steps by sharing the biggest stage in sport with a brother. This article highlights FIFA World Cup 2022 brothers playing together.
THORGAN HAZARD AND EDEN HAZARD
THORGAN HAZARD AND EDEN HAZARD. Photo by Goal.com
The Hazard brothers, Eden and Thorgan, have been on the Belgium team for some time. The two brothers will actually be competing for Belgium in the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the second time.
Both Thorgan and Eden are capable of playing as attacking midfielders or as wingers. Thorgan Hazard represents Borussia Dortmund, but Eden Hazard represents Real Madrid. Both Eden, the younger brother, and Thorgan the older brother, have not been in particularly good shape lately.
VANJA MILINKOVIC-SAVIC AND SERGEJ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC
VANJA MILINKOVIC-SAVIC AND SERGEJ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC. Photo by Mondo
One of the underdogs for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 is Serbia. And one of their major players is offensive midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The 27-year-old has had a fantastic 2022–23 season for Lazio.
He has made 20 appearances for Lazio in all competitions, with five goals and seven assists. His brother Vanja Milinkovic-Savic plays goalkeeping for Torino and is also a professional in Italy. Vanja and Sergej are both on the Serbian team competing at the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Together, they participated in Serbia’s 2-0 loss against Brazil last Thursday.
NICO WILLIAMS AND INAKI WILLIAMS
NICO WILLIAMS AND INAKI WILLIAMS. Photo by ESPN
It will be the most interesting FIFA World Cup in 2022 combination. On brother plays for Ghana (Inaki), while the other (Nico) plays for Spain. Incidentally, they both play for the Spanish team, Athletic Bilbao.
Inaki is older than Nico. A lot has been written about their voyage. With an age difference of eight years, Inaki raised Nico in the sporting world.
At the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the two brothers, however, will not be playing for the same squads. Nico travelled to Qatar as a member of Spain’s World Cup squad of 26, while Inaki is representing Ghana, the nation of his birth.
Inaki has, interestingly, only ever played for the Spanish national team at the senior level. He made his debut for Ghana on September 23 of this year after deciding to switch allegiances in order to honour his ancestry.
JORDAN AYEW AND ANDRE AYEW
JORDAN AYEW AND ANDRE AYEW. Photo by Sky Sports
Jordan and Andre Ayew were selected to represent Ghana in the 26-man team for the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The Ayews are the sons of Abedi Ayew Pele, a player with Marseille who won the Champions League in 1992–1993. He has also served as the national team of Ghana’s captain in the past.
In the past, Andre Ayew has participated in the FIFA World Cups in 2010 and 2014. Jordan Ayew, his younger brother, also competed in the 2-14 FIFA World Cup. While Jordan Ayew is a forward for Crystal Palace, Andre Ayew presently plays for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League.
THEO HERNANDEZ AND LUCAS HERNANDEZ
THEO HERNANDEZ AND LUCAS HERNANDEZ. Photo by Get French Football News
Of all the Hernandez brothers on this list, Lucas and Theo are likely the most well-known at the moment. For the defending world champions, France, both players are deserving of starting positions.
Sadly, Lucas Hernandez has already been eliminated from the competition after sustaining a knee injury during France’s 2022 FIFA World Cup opening match against Australia. On the field, his brother Theo Hernandez took his position.
Theo Hernandez is an important player for defending Serie A champions AC Milan, while Lucas Hernandez plays for Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Beyond playing in the pitch, these scenes of siblings playing for their home teams are humbling. While some play for different teams, it doesn’t end their relationship as brothers. There are big lessons in tolerance from such acts.
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