The Surprising Side Hustle of a Football Legend: How Mario Götze Became an Angel Investor.

For those football enthusiasts, like me also, we all know Mario Götze for his football career. He has won several titles representing Borussia Dortmund, FC Bayern München, and PSV Eindhoven (now playing at Eintracht Frankfurt). But, it's his World Cup final goal in overtime to propel Germany to a 1-0 win over Argentina, in Brazil (2014), that makes him unforgettable!!

Mario Götze’s net worth is estimated at $50 Million.

1. Athletic Achievements: Representing Borussia and Bayern, he has won ​five​ Bundesliga titles, ​four German Cups, and one German Supercup. Also has lifted a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. Representing PSV has won a Dutch Cup and Supercup. With the German National Team has won the, mentioned, FIFA World Cup.

2. Brand Endorsement Deals: ​Mario pulls in less than $2 million a year from athletic apparel maker Nike. Other deals with Hyundai, KoRo and Vejo.

3. Entrepreneurial Ventures: In 2018 Mario founded Companion-M, an independent marketing and venture company. The goal is to support - with angel investments - founders from the earliest stages and accelerate innovation in tech, sustainability, nutrition, health, Web3 among other sectors.

4. Investments: Mario has made more than 30 angel investments and Venture Capital funds. Some of the startups invested: ScorePlay (AI-powered media asset manager designed for sports organisations); Virtex Stadium (3D virtual experience); Return (social impact platform); PurpleTrader (platform to buy tokens); Sanity Group (cannabis company); Komi (hub/tools to support); Frond (platform for online community); Root Global (food and beverage data-driven software); and others.

5. Philanthropic efforts: Mario is heavily investing on carbon reduction projects, like the World Fund (Europe’s biggest climate tech VC); Planet A Ventures (venture capital that supports founders tackling the world's largest environmental problems); Ecosia (a search engine that plants trees); and Time For Climate Action.

Mario Götze's achievements as a professional footballer and his success as an investor and entrepreneur demonstrate his exceptional talent, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit. His commitment to giving back through philanthropy also reflects his admirable character and desire to make a positive impact on the world.