Faiq Bolkiah: football's €15 billion player is looking for a new club

For Faiq Bolkiah, money is not the driving force behind his football career. The son of the prince of Brunei, whose net worth is valued at around €15 billion, is considered the richest footballer in the world but he is not being afforded any leg-ups in the game and has decided to rescind his contract at Portuguese Primeira Liga side Marítimo a year and a half after joining from Leicester City without having played a single minute.

Bolkiah signed from the Premier League side in search of first-team football after also failing to get on the pitch for the Foxes’ senior side. However, the closest he got at Marítimo was a place on the bench for a game against Sporting Lisbon last February.

Bolkiah, who is the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the wealthiest people in the world, was relegated to Marítimo B and under contract until June 2002, but the club announced on its official website that an amicable agreement had been reached to rescind his contract.

Bolkiah describes himself as a “quick player, who likes to make things happen. I’m a winger and a number 10, I like playing direct football and scoring goals.”

Born in Los Angeles, he learned the trade in the English divisions, starting out at AFC Newbury and passing through the academies at Southampton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Stoke City, before joining Leicester in 2016.

Off the pitch, Bolkiah does allow himself the occasional extravagance, such as having a pet tiger – who he nutmegs in an online video showcasing his ball skills - and once spending €35 million in a single month.

The forward has represented his country on five occasions, scoring once for The Hornets.