Le Mans FC have been compared to Wrexham due to their celebrity owners – and the French side, who sit fifth in Ligue 2, have now added another big name to their ranks
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has become the latest big name to invest in French club Le Mans. The Belgium international has joined tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, and former F1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen in becoming co-owners of the Ligue 2 side.
Le Mans were taken over by Brazilian investment group OutField in the summer and Courtois has now got involved via his company NxtPlay. The club sits fifth in the French second division, just three points off the top, and have been compared to Wrexham, who are owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, due to their celebrity owners.
In their press release, Le Mans said of Courtois: “A two-time UEFA Champions League winner and iconic goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois brings top-level expertise, both on and off the pitch.”
The 33-year-old, who played for Chelsea for seven years, is far from the first footballer to become involved in club ownership. In fact, he is following in the footsteps of two of his Real team-mates, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
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Mbappe has been a majority shareholder of French side SM Caen for nearly two years, having invested £12.6million in July 2024. Caen play in the third tier of the French football pyramid, one below Le Mans.
Meanwhile, Vinicius is involved at a even higher level as a majority investor in Portuguese club FC Alverca. They won promotion to the Primeira Liga last season and currently sit 10th in the table.
Le Mans said in a statement: “Having acquired a stake in Le Mans FC this summer, the Brazilian group OutField is now taking another step forward by finalizing the acquisition of the club alongside a strengthened group of world-renowned athletes and European investors.
“This increased commitment aims to accelerate and consolidate the structural development of Le Mans FC. Working alongside Thierry Gomez, the club’s president, OutField will provide the necessary resources to support and amplify the project’s growth.
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“One of the project’s pillars is already underway: the construction of a training centre dedicated to developing local talent. In the medium term, the objective is to make Le Mans FC a national benchmark in youth development, making it a strategic driver of growth and a sustainable talent pool for the first team.
“As he approaches his tenth year as president, Thierry Gomez will remain at the heart of the project he initiated in 2016: building a structured and resilient club for the long term.
“For nine years, extensive work has been carried out to strengthen the club’s organization, develop youth training, support the growth of the women’s section, and unite all stakeholders of Le Mans FC: players, staff, employees, volunteers, partners, and supporters.
“The ambition is to build an ambitious and sustainable football club, rooted in the city’s iconic motorsport heritage and a globally recognized brand identity. The priorities are strengthening sporting performance and developing the club’s brand, both locally and internationally, in order to fully unlock the sporting and commercial potential of Le Mans FC.”
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