Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento, a central midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and the Spain national team, is the eldest child of former player Iomar do Nascimento Mazinho.
In 2009, Thiago made his debut for Barcelona after joining the club at 14. He was inked by Bayern Munich for €25 million in 2013 after winning accolades with Barcelona that included four La Liga championships, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Thiago won 16 trophies in Germany, including the UEFA Champions League, as part of a continental treble in his final season with the team and the Bundesliga seven times in a row.
Similarly, he made a £20 million initial transfer to Liverpool in 2020, where he went on to win the FA Cup in 2022.
Quick Facts:
| Name | Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento |
| Age | 31 years |
| Parents | Mazinho and Valéria |
| Siblings | Rafinha and Thiasa Alcantara |
| Wife | Júlia Vigas (m. 2015) |
| Children | Gabriel and Siena Alcántara |
| Net Worth | $23.9 million |
Thiago Alcantara Was Raised In San Pietro Vernotico Alongside Brother Rafinha
Thiago was raised in San Pietro Vernotico, Italy, alongside two siblings, a younger brother, Rafinha, and a younger sister, Thaisa.
All three siblings appear to get along well, but the Alcantara brothers may be closer since they practice in the same field.
Having a father who won the FIFA World Cup also benefited the Alcantaras, who never seemed to have many doubts about pursuing a career in football.
Thiago had a celebrity upbringing as his father, who held Brazilian football then, was often spotted with his family. His childhood tale is intriguing; it involves a youngster who decided to pursue a career in football after seeing his father’s 1994 World Cup victory for Brazil.
Both The Alcantara Brothers Made Football Their Profession
Thiago and his brother have made names for themselves in the football world.
His brother, Rafael Alcântara do Nascimento—more commonly known as Rafinha—is also a Brazilian-born professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder with Qatar Stars League team Al-Arabi.
Besides, he began his career with Barcelona, making his first team appearance in 2011. After being on loan at Celta, he returned to his former team in 2014 and appeared in his maiden La Liga game.
In Luis Enrique’s first game in charge, a 3-0 victory over Elche at the Camp Nou, Rafinha made his debut season for Barcelona on August 24, 2014, playing the first half before being substituted by Marc Bartra.
Additionally, on October 5, 2020, he inked a three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Eleven days later, in a 4-0 victory against Nîmes, he made his Ligue 1 debut and provided an assist on Kylian Mbappé’s first goal.
Rafinha’s international Career Started In Spain At Youth Level
The 29-year-old represented Spain at the youth level, appearing in 14 matches for three different squads. In Meaux, he scored in the opening minute of the under-19s’ 2-1 friendly victory over France on February 29, 2012.
Rafinha changed his allegiance to Brazil later that year and went to Argentina to compete in the 2013 South American Youth Championship for the under-20 team. He was one of the seven stand-by prospects Dunga selected for the senior squad for the 2015 Copa América.
According to his bio, he was summoned by Dunga in September 2015 for friendly matches against Costa Rica and the United States. On September 5, he replaced Luiz Gustavo in the 81st minute of the previous game at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
He scored his first strike against the latter four days later, one minute after entering the pitch, and later assisted clubmate Neymar in a 4-1 victory.
His Younger Brother Celebrated His 29th Birthday In April
Thiago is two years older than his brother, Rafinha, who celebrated his 29th birthday with his family in April.
Basically, as per their Wikipedia page, the elder brother was born in San Pietro Vernotico, Italy, while the younger brother was born in São Paulo, Brazil.
Moreover, the brothers, equal in height, were born on April 11, 1991, and February 12, 1993, respectively.
Thiago And Rafinha’s Younger Sister Thiasa Is 24 Years Old
The youngest Alcantara, Thaisa, is the only daughter of the Brazilian football manager, Manziho. She has recently turned 24, as her birthday fell in August 1998.
Moreover, she is seen celebrating her 23rd birthday weekend with her friends in an opulent club, dancing and relishing the moment.
She is five years younger than her brother, Rafinha, and seven years younger than her brother, Thiago. Moreover, her father’s Instagram posts are loaded with pictures shared with his darling daughter.
In contrast, as per the picture posted on Mazinho’s Instagram page, she graduated from college in May 2016.
Thiago And Rafinha Parents: The Brothers Followed The Footstep Of Their Father Mazinho
The Alcantara brothers got their athletic genes from their parents, who were involved in sports during their era.
Basically, their father, Iomar do Nascimento, better known by his stage name, Mazinho, is a Brazilian football manager and former player who spent most of his time as a defensive midfielder and full-back.
Mazinho, a former center midfielder, participated in 35 international matches for the Brazil national team, helping them win the 1989 Copa América, 1994 FIFA World Cup, and the 1988 Olympic silver medal.
He was included in the rosters for the 1991 Copa América and the 1990 World Cup.
In place of the Spanish Quique Hernández, Mazinho was named the new head coach of the Greek team Aris in January 2009. However, in November 2009, Héctor Cuper, a former coach of Valencia, replaced Mazinho.
Thiago’s Mother Was A Former Volleyball Player
Not only their father, but Thiago and Rafinho’s momma, Valéria, was also a former volleyball player.
Marca claims that Valeria Alcántara, Mazinho’s wife, quit the Brazilian team when her husband transferred to play for Celta. After the couple had moved to Vigo, she reportedly returned to the game she loved by joining her new local team.
In a similar vein, according to The Athletic, Mazinho and his wife were having trouble adjusting to Brazilian life and desired to return to Vigo, where he had played for four seasons.
Amid this, the 56-year-old was married to his wife in 1987; their union lasted 18 years. The online sources claimed their relationship ended in 2005.
In addition, the family maintains the Alcantara Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve the social and personal health of those in need by utilizing the principles of the sport.
Liverpool Midfielder’s Extended Family With Júlia Vigas And Two Kids
Together, Thiago Alcantara and his wife, Julia Vigas, whom he met in 2012 while playing for Barcelona, a prominent Spanish club, have a family.
Following a three-year courtship, Julia and Thiago reportedly got hitched on June 27, 2015, in a glorious ceremony in Sant Climent de Peralta, Catalonia, Spain.
Basically, the couple celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary this year. If you scroll down his Instagram page, you may see numerous pictures of the couple posing with their two kids, a son and a daughter named Gabriel and Siena Alcántara.