Footballers with modest cars, from Bruno Fernandes driving a Mini Cooper to Granit Xhaka’s £9k Smart car

ITS not often you see footballers budgeting on their motors. The world’s top stars are often spotted driving into the training ground in Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Mercedes… or whatever luxury car they fancy that particular week. Joao Neves arrives at training for PSG in a Peugeot van Credit: Grab Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes has proven to be humble with his car choice in the past Credit: Alamy Live News. Fernandes has a Mini Cooper JCW in his garage Credit: Mini Case in point, Joao Neves was spotted arriving to training with PSG this week in a £7,000 2021 Peugeot Panther. The Portugal star rocked up in a van packed with hundreds of gifts which he donated to the PSG foundation to help disadvantaged and sick children. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! And there are more humble ballers who have gone for a more modest runner. From a £9,000 Smart car to a second-hand Mini Cooper, these lads are keeping it real. Bruno Fernandes The PFA Players’ Player of the Year might be earning around £300,000-per-week at Man Utd, but he isn’t flash. Sure, Fernandes has a Porsche Panamera in his car collection. Who wouldn’t? But, back in 2020 he was pictured arriving at Carrington in a Mini Cooper. It was a slightly modified version by John Cooper Works, but at only £33,000 it was still an affordable everyday motor. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Granit Xhaka Granit Xhaka’s modest motor caught the eye of Arsenal’s stars at the training ground Credit: MI News/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Xhaka told former team-mate Cedric Soares he loved his Smart ForTwo in All or Nothing Credit: Grab When Swiss star Xhaka was at Arsenal, the cameras were rolling for their Amazon doc All or Nothing. One funny scene in the club’s training ground car park saw defender Cedric Soares rib Xhaka for his car choice, a £9,000 Smart ForTwo. Soares asked Xhaka: “What is this s*** car?!” The Swiss midfielder replied: “”Bro, they are the best car ever.” Phil Foden Foden is very much a family man, given his choice in the Toyota Vellfire. Phil Foden’s family man status shines through with his car choice Credit: EPA Foden is said to own a Toyota Vellfire minibus Credit: Stock It’s a motor that’s not sold by the Japanese car maker on our shores, but used models can be found from £8,000 to £30,000 online. It’s a seven-seater, perfect for the Man City ace’s three children and Wag, Rebecca Cooke. And the seats are dead comfy too, ottoman-like in design, they come heated. Juan Mata Mata, who played in the Premier League for Chelsea and Man Utd, is currently plying his trade in Australia for Melbourne Victory. As he weighs up his future, he can do so in the knowledge that he’s one of football’s good guys. Juan Mata is one of football’s good guys Credit: Getty Images Mata showed off his vintage Volkswagen Beetle on social media in 2015 Credit: Instagram And not only is he famed for his charity work, the 38-year-old has opted for a low-key vintage Volkswagen Beetle in the past as his car of choice. In 2015, he shared his car on Instagram. It would have cost him no more than £20,000 online in mint condition second-hand. Bernardo Silva With his new club Real Madrid sponsored by BMW, you can imagine Silva would’ve been given a brand new electric motor upon his arrival at the Bernabeu. Bernardo Silva was praised by former manager Pep Guardiola for his no-fuss attitude Credit: Europa Press via Getty Images Silva was also a fan of Smart’s For Two budget-friendly car costing around £9,000 Credit: Alamy Stock Photo But, that might’ve been a bit too flashy for the Portugal midfielder. Like Xhaka, Silva is also a fan of Smart’s budget-friendly ForTwo, which costs around £9,000. His former boss Pep Guardiola reportedly praise Silva’s no-fuss lifestyle off the pitch, and that just highlights it. Josko Gvardiol City’s stars have remained grounded over the years. And that includes current defender Gvardiol, who has been seen behind the wheel of a £30,000 Volkswagen Golf. Man City defender Josko Gvardiol also lives a modest life Credit: Alamy Live News. Gvardiol is believed to own a VW Golf similar to this one Credit: Volkswagen An image of the Croatian’s motor was shared on socials, with fans declaring him the “Humble King”. It certainly made a change from the six-figure luxury supercars and SUVs like Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces. Christian Pulisic Pulisic is another man who likes to keep it simple. Christian Pulisic has been a lifelong fan of Volkswagen too Credit: AC Milan via Getty Images Like Gvardiol, Pulisic also drives a Golf and is an ambassador for Volkswagen Credit: Alamy Stock Photo In 2021, the USA winger was made brand ambassador in the States for Volkswagen. That came after he declared a life-long love for the brand, and was seen driving their cars. His go-to, like Gvardiol, is VW Golf. N’Golo Kante The Leicester City and Chelsea midfielder was one of the finest players of his generation. And he has earned a mint in his later years, thanks to huge contracts with Saudi side Al-Ittihad and now Turkish giants Fenerbahce. N’Golo Kante is one of football’s most frugal characters and shuns luxury items Credit: Getty Images Kante drove a second-hand Mini Cooper when he played for Leicester and Chelsea Credit: JIM BENNETT But, Kante is not one for spending. In fact, in interviews he’s regularly said he was never one for flashy things, like expensive watches and designer clothes. That also extends to luxury cars. In 2015, when he moved to Leicester, he famously bought a second-hand Mini Cooper. He kept it for years, even continuing to drive it after bumps and repairs. Comment now