Thibaut Courtois Invests in Le Mans FC Alongside Novak Djokovic and F1 Stars
Real Madrid and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has become the latest high-profile figure to invest in French football club Le Mans FC. The 33-year-old, who spent seven years at Chelsea, joins a star-studded ownership group that includes tennis legend Novak Djokovic and former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen.
Le Mans FC: The French Wrexham with Celebrity Backing
Le Mans FC, currently sitting fifth in Ligue 2 just three points off the top, has been compared to Wrexham due to its celebrity ownership. The club was taken over by Brazilian investment group OutField in the summer, and Courtois has now invested through his company NxtPlay. In a press release, Le Mans praised Courtois as "a two-time UEFA Champions League winner and iconic goalkeeper" who brings top-level expertise both on and off the pitch.
Footballers Turning to Club Ownership as a Trend
Courtois is not the first footballer to venture into club ownership. He follows in the footsteps of his Real Madrid teammates Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Mbappé has been a majority shareholder of French third-tier side SM Caen since July 2024, investing £12.6 million. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior is a majority investor in Portuguese club FC Alverca, which won promotion to the Primeira Liga last season and currently sits 10th.
Strategic Development and Long-Term Vision for Le Mans FC
In a statement, Le Mans FC outlined its ambitious plans under the new ownership. The club aims to accelerate structural development, with one key pillar being the construction of a training centre dedicated to developing local talent. The goal is to make Le Mans FC a national benchmark in youth development, creating a sustainable talent pool for the first team. Club president Thierry Gomez, who has led the project since 2016, will remain at the heart of efforts to build a resilient and structured club for the long term.
The statement emphasized priorities such as strengthening sporting performance and developing the club's brand locally and internationally. This strategy is rooted in Le Mans' iconic motorsport heritage, aiming to unlock the club's full sporting and commercial potential. The ownership group, including Courtois, Djokovic, and the F1 icons, is committed to supporting this growth alongside OutField and European investors.
