Novak Djokovic has teamed up with F1 icons Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen to become the latest high-profile figure to invest in a football club.
While Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have catapulted Wrexham to the Championship and David Beckham grows his MLS franchise in Miami, Djokovic has just began his journey in football ownership.
The Serb has won 24 Grand Slam titles on the court during a legendary career, including seven Wimbledon titles.
The 40-year-old only won the French Open on three occasions, however, often pipped by 14-time winner Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic is returning to France with vengeance.
Novak Djokovic won the French Open as recently as 2023
|Getty
Along with F1 stars Massa and Magnussen, the former world No1 has become co-owner of French side Le Mans, who currently play in Ligue 2.
The club have enjoyed numerous spells in Ligue 1, however after relegation in 2010 and their subsequent failure to return immediately, the club suffered liquidation and was relegated to amateur status in the sixth tier of French football.
The side returned to Ligue 2 this year, with Djokovic, along with Massa and Magnussen, looking to add their sporting expertise to help bring the club back to Ligue 1, competing with some of Europe’s best such as PSG, Marseille and Lyon.
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Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen have joined Novak Djokovic investing in Le Mans
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Magnussen has raced twice at the iconic 24 Hours at Le Mans race, whereas Massa, who has won 11 Grand Prix races and was runner-up in the 2008 Drivers’ Championship to Lewis Hamilton, explained the connection between the city and motorsport.
"I think everyone knows my passion for football, which is leading me to take this step today,” he said after confirmation of the trio’s investment.
"Le Mans FC has a strong connection to motorsport ... I wanted to be a part of [the project] - especially alongside people I deeply respect, like Djokovic, who needs no introduction, and Magnussen, with whom I shared many years in Formula 1.
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"It's undeniably a great opportunity, taking advantage of the momentum of French football, the reigning Champions League champion [PSG], which is currently attracting significant investment."
The investment comes with Le Mans’ new financial partners: Georgios Frangulis, founder and CEO of OakBerry, and OutField, who focus on sports investment in South America.
In a press release on the club’s website, club president Thierry Gomez said: “I am happy today to announce the arrival of our new financial partners: OutField, leader in sports investment in Latin America, and Georgios Frangulis, founder and CEO of OakBerry.
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|Instagram @lemansfc.officiel
“They have the particularity of being a Brazilian investment fund. You know my love for the game… and who better than the Brazilian team symbolises, in the world of football, the beautiful game?
“The particularity of this fund also lies in its contribution of high-level athletes. Thus, Novak Djokovic, Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen will be part of the adventure.”
The statement continued by saying Djokovic’s “mental strength and unique approach will bring considerable added value”.
Mass and Magnussen, who have a combined 25 seasons of F1 experience, will help “create a bridge between football and motorsport”, something important for the brand of the club.