5 ball boys who went on to become famous footballers

#1 Wesley Sneijder

Frank Rijkaard with a young Wesley Sniejder

Another athlete who worked his way from a ball boy to becoming a famous footballer is Wesley Sneijder. The Netherlands legend has enjoyed so much success in his career that people easily forget his humble beginnings.

The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid midfielder developed at the famous Ajax academy. In the years he spent there, Sneijder was often used as a ball boy, before he eventually made the step up to the senior team.

Since his breakthrough, though, the veteran attacking midfielder has gone on to make a name for himself in the football world. He boasts 131 caps for the Netherlands national team, having played a key role in the country’s journey to the World Cup final in 2010.

Sneijder was also an integral part of the Jose Mourinho’s all-conquering Inter Milan side that won the Serie A, Italian Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2010. Such a distinguished career for a man who was a ball boy at age seven.