Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels Invest in Portuguese First Division Club Estrela Amadora

[welt.de] reported that former Bayern Munich teammates Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels have become co-owners of CF Estrela Amadora, a Portuguese first division club. The German footballers, both World Cup winners in 2014, joined an international consortium that acquired 90% of the club in late August. Their involvement extends beyond ownership, with the duo actively participating in transfer decisions, according to sources.

The club’s current challenges are stark: the Estádio José Gomes, with a capacity of 9,288, has not been properly maintained for five years. For an upcoming match against Académico de Viseu, Estrela Amadora must travel 88 kilometers to Rio Maior due to the poor pitch conditions. Despite these obstacles, the team’s loyal supporters, known as “Magia Tricolor,” remain optimistic.

ADvantage Group Leads Investment in Estrela Amadora

The investment in Estrela Amadora is led by the ADvantage group, an investment firm co-led by Alex Bente, a great-grandson of Adidas founder Adi Dassler. While the exact purchase price remains undisclosed, Portuguese media speculate it could reach 50 million euros. Müller and Hummels are described as “strategic co-owners,” a role similar to that of their former Bayern Munich teammates Yann Sommer and Lucas Hernández.

Johannes Mösmang, the club’s 35-year-old president, emphasized the appeal of Portuguese football to international investors. “Portuguese clubs are among the most exciting investment opportunities in global football,” Mösmang stated. He highlighted the 2030 World Cup hosting rights shared by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, as well as a 2028 TV revenue distribution plan that benefits smaller clubs. “There are minimal club regulations, and no EU player limits—unlike in Spain,” he added.

Challenges Facing Estrela Amadora

Despite the high-profile ownership, Estrela Amadora faces significant infrastructure hurdles. A stadium tribune is currently closed for safety reasons, and the club lacks a dedicated training ground, forcing training to be held on rented pitches. A 60-minute bus ride to these facilities is a daily reality for players and staff.

Coach Pepa acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence in the new owners. “I trust the new owners will implement their plans. Until then, we work with what we have and give everything we have,” he said. The club’s fanbase, though small (1,500-3,000 attendees at home games), remains fervent.

The Role of Johannes Mösmang

Mösmang, a godson of former Bayern Munich star Claudio Pizarro, has a unique background for a club president. A law graduate, he began his career at Bayern in 2016 as a legal department intern before moving into scouting and player management. His multilingual skills (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French) have been critical in transfer negotiations.

Mösmang’s vision for Estrela Amadora includes developing young talent and selling promising players to bigger European clubs. This strategy paid off in July when defender Otávio was sold to Eintracht Frankfurt for €4.5 million. “We don’t want to spend endlessly,” he said. “We aim to strategically grow Estrela.”

Estrela Amadora Aims for Top Eight in Portugal

The club’s long-term goal is to become one of Portugal’s top eight teams. This ambition is ambitious given Estrela Amadora’s history: the club folded in 2011 due to bankruptcy before being reformed by 13 loyal fans. It took until 2023 for the team to return to the first division.

The next key milestone for Estrela Amadora is its upcoming home games at the temporary venue in Rio Maior.