Some great footballing families have changed the face of the game forever, with the likes of the Charltons, the Laudrups and the Maldinis leaving indelible marks on the beautiful game.
However, these footballing relatives don't share a surname, and in certain cases, don't share a nationality. Here are ten sets of footballers you (perhaps) never knew were related:
Mark Viduka and Luka Modric
It truly is a small world. Ex-Australian international Mark Viduka and Ballon D'Or winner and Croatia captain Luka Modric are cousins. Now, we're well aware that those two countries are very far away from one another, but hear us out. Viduka is of Croatian descent, with his father Joe moving to Australia from Yugoslavia in the 1960s. Interestingly, Viduka moved to Dinamo Zagreb in the mid 90s, the same club where Modric began his professional career.
Carl Cort, Leon Cort and Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Now, you may have guessed from Carl and Leon's surnames that they're related. In fact, they're brothers, surprisingly. However, what may shock you is the fact that Ruben Loftus-Cheek is their half-brother on their father's side. Although nearly 20 years the junior of his half-brothers, Loftus-Cheek has surpassed their standing in the game, having played 10 times for England at senior level. Although Carl scored eight goals in 14 appearances for the England U21s, he never got a senior cap. Instead, him and Leon have 6 caps each for Guyana.
Johnny Giles and Nobby Stiles
Two rhyming names and two excellent footballers. Stiles and Giles were teammates at Manchester United for three years, during which time Nobby was introduced to Johnny's sister, Kay. The two married in June 1963, meaning Stiles and Giles became brothers-in-law. The wedding occurred around the same time as Giles left Manchester to join Leeds United. Both marriages turned out well in the long-run.
Diego Maradona and Sergio Aguero
What a footballing family this is. Diego Maradona and Sergio Aguero were formerly in-laws, with Aguero having a son, Benjamin, with Maradona's youngest daughter, Gianinna, in 2009. Unfortunately, Sergio and Gianinna split in 2012. However, Benjamin quite clearly has the footballing gene. Never mind his father and grandfather, his godfather is Lionel Messi.
Mario Balotelli and Obafemi Martins
Two strikers who burst on the scene at Inter Milan, Balotelli and Martins are brothers-in-law. Martins is married to Balotelli's sister, Abigail Barwuah. However, several media reports have stated that Balotelli isn't happy about the relationship. Either way, just enjoy this Ugandan report of Barwuah's pregnancy in 2012.
Terry Butcher and Pat Nevin
One was a brutish centre-half and the other was a diminutive winger, yet Terry Butcher and Pat Nevin are blood-related, the very same blood that poured from Butcher's head in that famous photo. The two are cousins, with both playing international football for England and Scotland respectively. Although their love of football brings them together, their musical tastes set them apart. Butcher is an Iron Maiden fan, writing about Steve Harris for Classic Rock Magazine. Nevin, on the other hand, prefers the likes of My Bloody Valentine and the Cocteau Twins.
Jason Byrne and Robbie Keane
Goals runs through this family's veins. Jason Byrne and Robbie Keane are cousins, with the two honing their goalscoring skills in Tallaght during their childhoods. Whereas Keane took the international stage by storming, becoming Ireland's record goalscorer, Byrne was a darling of the domestic game, becoming the second highest goalscorer in League of Ireland history.
Jay-Jay Okocha and Alex Iwobi
Jay-Jay Okocha is the uncle of Everton's Alex Iwobi. Iwobi, who was born in Lagos, originally began playing international football for England. However, he then made the switch to Nigeria in order to emulate his uncle's success. He has a long way to go if he wants to match Okocha's haul of seven Nigerian Footballer of the Year awards, an African Cup of Nations winner's medal and an Olympic gold.
Michael Owen and Ritchie Partridge
Partridge never made the grade at Liverpool, playing only three League Cup ties for the Reds. However, during that time, he met Michael Owen's sister, Lesley. The two subsequently married, meaning the former teammates became brothers-in-law. Partridge is now back at Liverpool as first-team physio, whereas Owen is probably flying over Dubai at this very moment.
Nani and Angel Gomes
Nani, for all of his flaws as a footballer, has carved out an excellent professional career. It's even more impressive when you find out that he was abandoned by both of his parents as a child and was brought up by his aunt. Nani is the godfather of former Manchester United wonderkid Angel Gomes, now of Lille, with Gomes' father being former Portugal U21 international, Gil.
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