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Behind the trophies, fame, and roaring crowds, many football legends began with nothing but grit, talent, and a dream. From selling bottled water in Lagos traffic to playing in France’s fourth tier, their paths to glory prove that greatness often starts far from the spotlight.
You won’t believe where they started 
Didier Drogba
Started his professional career late at age 21 in France's Ligue 2 with Le Mans, after moving from Ivory Coast as a child and facing injuries and adjustment issues as a teenager. He went on to become a Chelsea legend, winning the Champions League and using his fame to promote peace in his home country.
Riyad Mahrez Began in France's fourth tier (CFA) with Quimper in 2009, moving there at age 18 while earning a modest living in amateur football. His talent propelled him to Leicester City, where he won the Premier League, and later to Manchester City and international success with Algeria.
See also: 6 times African teams shocked world football
Victor Osimhen Grew up in poverty in Lagos, Nigeria, selling bottled water to cars in traffic and newspapers at Ojota to support his family before being spotted at the U-17 level. He rose to stardom at Napoli, winning Serie A and becoming one of Africa's top strikers.
Jamie Vardy Played non-league football with Stocksbridge Park Steels while working 12-hour shifts in a carbon-fiber factory to make ends meet, after being released by Sheffield Wednesday at 16 for being too small. He broke into the Premier League with Leicester, setting goal-scoring records and winning the title in one of football's greatest underdog stories.
Victor Osimhen Grew up in poverty in Lagos, Nigeria, selling bottled water to cars in traffic and newspapers at Ojota to support his family before being spotted at the U-17 level. He rose to stardom at Napoli, winning Serie A and becoming one of Africa's top strikers.
Jamie Vardy Played non-league football with Stocksbridge Park Steels while working 12-hour shifts in a carbon-fiber factory to make ends meet, after being released by Sheffield Wednesday at 16 for being too small. He broke into the Premier League with Leicester, setting goal-scoring records and winning the title in one of football's greatest underdog stories.
See also: 10 Footballers Who Lit Up the World… Then Disappeared
N'Golo Kanté Started in France's lower divisions, debuting in Ligue 2 with Boulogne and spending years in the third tier, while training as an accountant and facing rejections from bigger clubs for his small stature. His relentless energy led to back-to-back Premier League titles with Leicester and Chelsea, plus World Cup glory with France.
Luka Modrić Lived as a refugee in hotel camps during the Croatian War of Independence after his grandfather was killed, honing his skills in car parks at age 6 amid hardship. He became Real Madrid's midfield maestro, winning multiple Champions Leagues and the Ballon d'Or.
N'Golo Kanté Started in France's lower divisions, debuting in Ligue 2 with Boulogne and spending years in the third tier, while training as an accountant and facing rejections from bigger clubs for his small stature. His relentless energy led to back-to-back Premier League titles with Leicester and Chelsea, plus World Cup glory with France.
Luka Modrić Lived as a refugee in hotel camps during the Croatian War of Independence after his grandfather was killed, honing his skills in car parks at age 6 amid hardship. He became Real Madrid's midfield maestro, winning multiple Champions Leagues and the Ballon d'Or.
See also: 8 Football Moments That Literally Broke the Internet
Alexis Sánchez Grew up in extreme poverty in Tocopilla, Chile, washing cars and performing street acrobatics for coins from age 6 after his father left the family. He starred at Arsenal and Inter Milan, earning fame as "El Niño Maravilla" and leading Chile to Copa América triumphs.
Cristiano Ronaldo Came from a modest, crowded household in Madeira, Portugal, sharing a room with siblings and traveling alone at 12 to join Sporting CP's academy despite financial struggles. His dedication turned him into a record-breaking goalscorer with multiple Ballon d'Or awards across Manchester United, Real Madrid, and beyond.
Alexis Sánchez Grew up in extreme poverty in Tocopilla, Chile, washing cars and performing street acrobatics for coins from age 6 after his father left the family. He starred at Arsenal and Inter Milan, earning fame as "El Niño Maravilla" and leading Chile to Copa América triumphs.
Cristiano Ronaldo Came from a modest, crowded household in Madeira, Portugal, sharing a room with siblings and traveling alone at 12 to join Sporting CP's academy despite financial struggles. His dedication turned him into a record-breaking goalscorer with multiple Ballon d'Or awards across Manchester United, Real Madrid, and beyond.
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