It’s fairly rare to find two siblings who embark on the same career path, but that’s not the case in the football world.

There are many footballing brothers who never quite made it at the same level - John and Paul Terry, Rio and Anton Ferdinand, Xabi and Mikel Alonso to name a few. There are, however, those who have both competed and succeeded at the very highest level of world football.

Here we look at the world’s five most successful footballing brothers.

5. Yaya and Kolo Toure

 

Together at Manchester City up until recently, the Ivorian brothers both boast an impressive CV. Powerful midfielder Yaya has two La Liga medals and one from the Premier League. He is a concrete part of the City team having previously played for Barcelona and Monaco. Defender Kolo is now a first team player for Liverpool with three Premier League titles under his belt.

4. Frank and Ronald De Boer

 

Amazingly, these two were teammates at five different clubs - Ajax, Barcelona, Rangers, Al-Rayyan and Al-Shamal. With nearly 200 international caps between them, Frank was the most capped Dutch international in history until Edwin Van Der Sar overtook him. The twins have continued their footballing career together as Frank is the manager of Ajax and Ronald his assistant.

3. Phil and Gary Neville

 

They played for Manchester United together for ten years before younger brother Phil’s move to Everton in 2005. Whilst Gary continued to be United’s first choice full back and tear up and down the right, Phil became the Toffees' captain and racked up 242 appearances. The pair collected 14 Premier League titles, six FA Cups and three Champions League winners’ medals between them. 

2. Brian and Michael Laudrup

 

The attacking-midfielder pair are regarded as two of Denmark’s best footballers. Michael, now managing a fast-improving Swansea side in the Premier League, played for Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Legends like Figo, Raul and Beckenbauer have previously called him the best player in the world. Brian played for Bayern Munich, Milan, Rangers and Chelsea, won the Scottish Premier League three times as well as Serie A and the Champions League with Milan. He amassed numerous other club and personal awards over his career. 

1. Sir Bobby and Jack Charlton

 

The fact that these two won England's only ever World Cup puts them firmly in this list. Manchester United legend Bobby scored 199 goals in 606 performances and is one of the most loved players to ever grace Old Trafford. Older brother Jack scored 70 goals in 629 appearances for Leeds United from defence and in 2006 fans voted him into the club’s best ever XI.

A mention for the Nevilles and co of the future - the three Hazard brothers at Chelsea, German twins Sven and Lars Bender and Jordan and Andre Ayew who continue to impress in Ligue 1. There are sure to be many more in the coming years - the Beckham children anyone?