Former Footballers Invest in the Amigos App: Scroll Less, Live More
Football legends Frank Rijkaard, Marco van Basten, Ronald de Boer, and Anouk Hoogendijk have teamed up for a different kind of game—this time, one driven by impact, not goals. Alongside Sander Schimmelpenninck, Sam Feldt, and Frans Duijts, they’ve invested in the €2.5 million funding round for Amigos: a mission-driven, fast-growing app focused on real-life human connection.
As more athletes look toward meaningful ventures after retirement, the Amigos app stands out as a project that blends purpose with innovation. And for these former pros, it’s about more than business—it’s a continuation of their lifelong commitment to bringing people together through sport and shared experience.
A Digital Detox, Backed by Football Icons
The Amigos app offers a direct response to rising concerns around screen addiction and social isolation, especially among younger generations. Gen Z and Millennials are spending at least two to three hours per day on social media apps, with many admitting that their online habits negatively affect real-life relationships.
That’s where Amigos comes in. With the simple but powerful message “Scroll less, live more,” the app encourages users to move away from passive scrolling and toward spontaneous, offline meetups. What starts as a casual drink often evolves into activities like padel, football, game nights, or beach outings—reminiscent of how many footballers once connected: outside, moving, and present.
Frank Rijkaard, now an investor and ambassador for Amigos, put it best:
Young people are already on their phones, so that’s where you capture their attention. Through activities like padel, we bring them together—just like how we used to meet up to play football in the street.
Amigos App: The New Playground After Retirement
For retired players like Marco van Basten, Ronald de Boer, and Anouk Hoogendijk, investing in the Amigos app marks a natural evolution of their post-football journey. From clubhouses and locker rooms to digital platforms with social purpose, these athletes are redefining what life after football looks like.
Instead of stepping away from the spotlight, they’re using it to raise awareness and drive action. Alongside fellow ambassadors like Wout Brama, they are supporting events and campaigns designed to help people connect more intentionally and live more actively.
This movement isn’t just limited to footballers. Business leaders, DJs, and public figures are also backing the platform. Yet it’s the athletes—those who built careers on teamwork and community—who seem especially drawn to the Amigos mission.
As Ronald de Boer and others work to bring this vision to life, the message is clear: digital tools can either isolate or unite—and the Amigos app is choosing the latter.
Discover more stories about footballers and their game-changing business ventures here.
