All eyes are on the 2026 Fifa World Cup, and fans are eagerly awaiting their national teams and favourite footballers to hit the field, but is that … Gladiator? Social media users can’t help but notice that Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team (USMNT), bears a striking resemblance to Kiwi actor, Russell Crowe.

Many have commented on their similar appearances. Even Pochettino himself is aware, jokingly saying that he’s “much more handsome”.

Pochettino, who was born in Argentina to a family of Italian descent, has had a career in football since he was around 13 years old, playing professionally until he was 34. He began his managerial career in 2009, and has since coached a number of acclaimed teams including Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

Besides Pochettino’s football career, he’s also a big family guy, with a loving wife and two sons. “For me, family and football are the most important things, they are in the same level,” said Pochettino to the Buenos Aires Times in 2018. “It isn’t easy to find a balance, but I am lucky because my family also loves football.”

Here’s all you need to know about Pochettino and his family.

Who is the Pochettino family?

Pochettino is married to Karina Grippaldi, who is also Italian-Argentinian. The couple met at a nightclub in Argentina in 1991, when Pochettino was playing for Newell’s Old Boys, per The Sun. Grippaldi studied pharmacy at the City’s National University.

Pochettino and Grippaldi married in 1994, and have two sons named Sebastiano and Maurizio, who both followed in their father’s footsteps. Sebastiano, born in 1995, works for the USMNT with his father as a fitness coach and sports scientist. His younger brother, Maurizio, was born in 2001 and plays for Andorran club Inter Club d’Escaldes.