Risks, uncertainties and hardships among male professional African football migrants
Many African football talents aspire a career in European football, often in vain. Yet, for those successful ones who make it to Europe, their careers often do not turn out as a ‘labour of love’. Rather, they are impacted by various precarities: risks, uncertainties and hardships in the form of exploitation, difficulties to adjust to the new environment, short contracts, low salaries, racism and racial Othering or economic challenges when approaching career ending. By shedding light on these problematic issues, a lesser-known side of the glittering global football business will be brought to the fore that challenges widespread media images of fabulous career trajectories of African football migrants.