The Billionaire Footballer Who Once Wore Chelsea Blue
In the world of professional football, where transfer fees and wages often dominate headlines, one former Chelsea academy player operates in a financial stratosphere beyond most imaginations. Faiq Bolkiah, currently plying his trade for Ratchaburi FC in Thailand's top division, carries a background so extraordinary it redefines the concept of 'wealthy footballer.'
From Berkshire to Brunei: An Unusual Football Journey
The 27-year-old winger's path to professional football began far from the spotlight that would eventually follow his family name. Born in Los Angeles, Bolkiah started his career at AFC Newbury before progressing through the youth systems of Southampton, Chelsea, and Leicester City. During his formative years, he even underwent trials at Arsenal and Stoke City while attending the exclusive Bradfield College in Berkshire, where annual fees reach £58,000.
His time at Chelsea's academy saw him train alongside future stars including Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, developing his skills in an environment far removed from the opulence of his family's world. After leaving England in 2020 for Portuguese side Maritimo, where he featured primarily for youth teams, Bolkiah eventually found his way to Thailand, first with Chonburi FC before his current club Ratchaburi, where he has established himself as a professional footballer in his own right.
The Staggering Wealth Behind the Footballer
What truly sets Bolkiah apart, however, isn't his footballing pedigree but his familial connections. As nephew to Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, he belongs to one of the world's wealthiest royal families. The Sultan's personal fortune alone is estimated at approximately £22 billion, according to sources like Celebrity Net Worth, while the collective wealth of the House of Bolkiah extends significantly beyond this already astronomical figure.
The family's extravagant lifestyle includes what is believed to be the planet's most extensive car collection, valued at around £5 billion and comprising approximately 7,000 vehicles. Their aviation assets feature a gold-plated Boeing 747 worth an eye-watering £460 million, serving as a flying testament to their unimaginable riches.
Oil, Investments, and Global Property
This extraordinary wealth originates primarily from Brunei's substantial oil and natural gas reserves, with the country establishing itself as a leading global supplier since 1929. In Brunei's unique economic structure, the distinction between state finances and royal family holdings remains notably blurred.
A significant portion of the Bolkiah family's fortune has been reinvested into diverse equity portfolios and property holdings spanning the globe. Their real estate empire includes luxury hotels and estates in some of the world's most prestigious locations, including London, Paris, and New York, creating a financial foundation that transcends generations.
Grounded Amidst Extraordinary Privilege
Despite this backdrop of almost incomprehensible wealth, those who have shared dressing rooms with Bolkiah describe a remarkably grounded individual. Former teammate Ruben Sammut, who progressed through Chelsea's academy alongside him, told The Athletic about the Brunei international's approach to football and life.
"You would never ever have thought he was something like the 12th in line to the throne," Sammut revealed. "You would not have thought of him as royalty. He was a humble guy, trying every day like every academy player. We used to joke he didn't need to play football but he wanted to play because he loved football."
Sammut explained that while good-natured banter about Bolkiah's royal status occasionally surfaced among teammates, it never overshadowed their recognition of his genuine passion for the sport. "It wasn't a regular thing we mentioned. It was that typical banter, saying he is royalty, saying, 'What's he doing playing with us?' But we all knew deep down how much he wanted to play, so it was more good-willed passing comments."
This perspective reveals a footballer motivated not by financial necessity—an understatement of epic proportions—but by authentic love for the game, pursuing his professional ambitions despite belonging to a family whose wealth could purchase entire football leagues.
