You probably remember the hype. It was impossible to miss if you followed football in the late 2000s. People were calling him the "Mexican Ronaldinho."
When we talk about the dos santos soccer player legacy, we’re usually talking about Giovani—the guy with the headband and the silky left foot who looked like he was playing a different sport during the 2011 Gold Cup final. But it’s never just about one brother, is it? It’s a family business that started with their father, Zizinho, and wound through the halls of La Masia in Barcelona.
Fast forward to 2026. One brother has basically vanished from the pitch to become an oil tycoon, while the other is still grinding out minutes in Mexico City. It's a weird, fascinating ending to a story that everyone thought would end with a Ballon d'Or.
What actually happened to Giovani dos Santos?
Honestly, the "disappearance" of Giovani is one of the strangest subplots in Mexican sports history. After his contract with Club América ended in 2021, the guy just... stopped. No retirement press conference. No emotional Instagram post with a pair of boots hanging on a nail.
He just walked away.
For a while, there were rumors. People said he was training in Dubai or looking at a move to the Middle East. Others thought he might pop up in the Kings League because, well, that's where former stars go to die these days. But by 2026, the reality is much more corporate. Reports from outlets like GiveMeSport and Fox Sports have confirmed that Giovani dos Santos has pivoted hard into the petrochemical industry.
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He’s reportedly a partner with Procura Mexico and has ties to PEMEX. We’re talking about a guy who was once compared to Messi now making millions—roughly 10 million Mexican pesos a year—by buying and selling luxury cars and navigating the oil business. It’s a total 180.
The "Other" Dos Santos Soccer Player: Jonathan’s Longevity
While Gio was busy reinventing himself as a businessman, Jonathan dos Santos stayed in the trenches.
People always underrated Jona. He didn't have the flashy "wow" factor of his older brother, but his engine was legendary. As of early 2026, Jonathan is still a key part of the midfield at Club América. At 35, he’s definitely in the twilight of his career, but he’s managed to do something Gio never could: stay consistent.
He’s currently rocking the number 8 shirt and providing that veteran stability in Liga MX. It’s kinda poetic that the "quieter" brother ended up having the more stable professional career. While Gio's European journey was a dizzying loop of loans to places like Ipswich Town and Galatasaray, Jonathan actually put in some real shifts at Villarreal before heading to MLS and then back home.
A Career of "What Ifs"
It's easy to look back and say they failed, but that's sort of a narrow view. Look at the trophy cabinet:
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- 2005 U-17 World Cup Champions (The moment the world met Gio)
- 2012 Olympic Gold Medal (Beating Brazil at Wembley—massive)
- Multiple Gold Cups
The problem was the expectation. When you come out of Barcelona’s academy, people expect you to be a god.
Harry Redknapp famously complained about Giovani’s "partying" during his time at Tottenham. He’d show up late on Mondays after a weekend in the clubs. Miguel Herrera, who coached him at the national level and at América, once said that Giovani struggled with the mental side of injuries. He’d feel a "twinge" and think his leg was falling off.
Whether it was the pressure or the lifestyle, the dos santos soccer player brand became synonymous with "unfulfilled potential" in Europe, even if they were absolute legends for the Mexican National Team.
The Racial Identity Nobody Talked About
There’s a nuance to the Dos Santos brothers that often gets skipped over in English-language media. They are Afro-Mexican. Their father, Zizinho, was a Brazilian star who moved to Mexico.
In a country that often celebrates mestizaje (a blend of indigenous and European roots), the Blackness of the Dos Santos family was something the Mexican media didn't always know how to handle. As noted by researchers at UCLA and publications like Remezcla, their presence challenged the traditional image of what a "Mexican" player looked like. They weren't just soccer players; they were a cultural shift in how Mexico saw itself on the global stage.
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Living the Legacy in 2026
If you’re looking to follow them today, here is the breakdown of what you need to know.
First, don't expect to see Giovani on a pitch again. He’s fully transitioned into his role as a luxury car dealer and oil investor. If you see him, it’ll likely be in a suit at a business conference in Monterrey or Mexico City, not in cleats. He’s arguably wealthier now than he was at the peak of his playing days.
Second, if you want to see the dos santos soccer player magic one last time, tune into a Club América match. Jonathan is still there, likely playing in a defensive midfield role, recycling possession and shouting at younger players who weren't even born when his brother was tearing it up at the 2007 U-20 World Cup.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow the Business: If you're interested in Gio's second act, look up Procura Mexico. It's a fascinating case study in how athletes can pivot.
- Watch the Sunset: Catch Jonathan in Liga MX this season. At 35, he likely won't see the 2027 season as a starter.
- Rewatch the 2011 Gold Cup Final: Seriously. If you want to remember why we cared so much, go to YouTube and search for Gio’s goal against Tim Howard. It’s still one of the greatest goals ever scored in CONCACAF history.
The story of the Dos Santos brothers isn't a tragedy of lost talent. It's just a very human story about two guys who took two very different paths out of the same shadow. One chose the grind, and the other chose the exit. Either way, they changed Mexican football forever.
Source References:
- Transfermarkt Player Profiles (2025/2026 Updates)
- GiveMeSport: Giovani dos Santos Business Ventures
- FIFA Archives: The 2012 Olympic Run
- Miguel Herrera Interviews (ESPN Deportes/AS)