[Sport] Moving the goalposts: Ryan Babel's property portfolio dabble

[S e u o n g]

 

The lavish adornments of many top footballers are well documented: fancy cars, state-of-the-art houses, gleaming watches, and jeweled jewelry.

Like many of his teammates, Dutch international Ryan Babel has been there and has, but the former Liverpool star is eager to break those stereotypes and explore other inland lands.
That's why he estimates his property portfolio will span 50 affordable homes in the multifamily market valued at around $ 30 million, predominantly in Amsterdam and Miami by the end of the year.
Babel has also dabbled in becoming a stockbroker and is passing financial advice to fellow footballers, not to mention the address of his Los Angeles-based music label, Underrated Music Group.
"I feel like soccer players are much smarter than they were years ago, but still, this is really there," Babel told CNN Sport.
"It's about trying to change the narrative, because too often when you sit at the lunch table with your teammates, the conversations are about the newest car they bought or the newest watch and little by little. Little do you try to change that conversation in the type of investments they have made, what type of real estate they have bought. "
Babel was initially a reluctant investor. He bought his first property at the age of 20 after moving from Ajax to Liverpool in July 2007. Following a subsequent transfer to Germany, his agent and father encouraged him to invest in property, initially buying a house to rent every quarter. .
But with 10 properties to his name, Babel says he felt dissatisfied, like he was going through financial movements, so he considered day trading at the age of 27, enrolling in a one-year course. However, after qualifying, the time required to invest while playing professional soccer was ultimately unrealistic.
So he changed tack. Having previously been a solo cash buyer, he brought in partners and leverage from banks, inspired by the books of American businessman Robert Kiyosaki.
"I wondered what job is capable of replacing a football salary on a monthly basis," reflected Babel. "It has to be a successful business. I received a book from a friend of Robert Kiyosaki and when I read that book, my outlook changed instantly.
"I read a few more and understood different ways to invest in real estate, do my due diligence, do my homework ... what are the ups and downs.
"That's where I understood that if you invest in multi-family housing, it is quite safe and forms the right team ... Since then I have been quite successful."

 

 

'Life can come at you very hard and quick'
He estimates his portfolio will grow to 100 properties. Other investments Babel has made include American musician Ryan Leslie's Superphone, a custom text management system enabling direct interaction with fans.
He's also passionate about the idea of sharing with teammates what's he learned in trying to future proof his financial security.
He says he has shared financial advice with peers in the Dutch international set-up, at current team Galatasaray and at his original club Ajax, where he had been on loan last season when the coronavirus pandemic struck.
"I felt obligated to share this information with colleagues, especially how football players manage finances," said Babel.
"They sometimes have this idea that this lifestyle is forever so they splash money around, they're not investing, not careful and I feel kind of a little bit responsible for the young generation. Of course enjoy life, but put something aside so you can create some type of security later.
"My career is going to be finished one day of course. Maybe one of my purposes now is to teach the younger generational footballers who are getting involved very quick with big contacts.
"Get involved early to get your feet wet outside the comfort zone of football. It's going to be a tough world once you hang up your boots if you've not educated yourself in this society or economy. Life can come at you very hard and quick. "