By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
In a candid and emotional interview, retired footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng has opened up about the deep-seated strain in his relationship with his half-brother Jerome Boateng, admitting to years of jealousy that poisoned their bond despite his efforts to seek forgiveness.
The former AC Milan, Barcelona, and Ghana star shared his raw reflections with German podcaster Andreas Poke, revealing how childhood differences and diverging career paths fueled a lasting estrangement between the two brothers.
“We never had a good relationship because we were very opposite, like he was very competitive over me,” Kevin-Prince said. “Then I saw him become a superstar, and I always felt that he didn’t deserve it because I was the one taking bad steps; he could follow me and avoid the bad steps, so I made the pathway for him. I was bitter about it.”
The brothers, who share the same father but grew up in Berlin with contrasting personalities, took dramatically different paths in football. Kevin-Prince, known for his flair and versatility, enjoyed stints at top clubs but described his career as turbulent. Meanwhile, Jerome became a defensive powerhouse at Bayern Munich, winning multiple Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, and the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
This contrast bred resentment in Kevin-Prince, who felt his own mistakes inadvertently paved a smoother road for his younger sibling. “So I was bitter about it,” he confessed.
In a moment of vulnerability, the 38-year-old revealed he has since confronted those feelings head-on. “Anyways, I went to ask him for forgiveness as well, that if I was ever jealous or if I didn’t want him to deserve it, I asked him for forgiveness,” he said. Tragically, reconciliation remains elusive: “But we still don’t have a connection.”
The Boateng brothers’ rift has been public for years, notably intensifying around personal controversies involving Jerome. However, this latest admission sheds new light on the emotional toll of sibling rivalry in the high-stakes world of professional football.
Kevin-Prince’s honesty highlights the human side of sporting icons—where success for one can feel like a personal slight to another, even within family. As both brothers move into post-playing careers, fans are left wondering if time will heal this fractured bond.
The interview has sparked widespread discussion online, reminding us that behind the glory, even football’s biggest names grapple with regret, jealousy, and the longing for family connection.
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