Footballers are often linked with the football path after retiring from the sport but a few changes their career path entirely.
Coaches, journalist, pundits, commentators etc, are some of the common roles footballers takes after calling an end to their careers. Others who doesn’t take a football related role often venture fully in businesses. Only a few switch careers to other sports.
All Soccer brings you 6 popular footballers who switched their careers after retiring from football.
1. Gareth Bale – Golf
Former Real Madrid player, Gareth Bale took no time to announce his debut at a golf tour.
Bale who last played in the MLS had one of the most successful career in football, winning 5 Champions League titles. Though he had a rough end to life at the Spanish capital, falling to the bench and switching to MLS. It took only two weeks for the Welshman to announce he’ll be on PGA tour after his retirement. He was captured many times playing golf while still a footballer. He retired from football at age 33.
2. Peter Cech – Ice Hockey
Former Chelsea goalkeeper, Peter Cech moved into Ice Hockey after calling an end to his career.
Cech kicked of his career in Ice Hockey immediately after announcing his retirement from football. He was awarded the man of the match in his debut game with Guildford Phoenix after producing several saves and stopping two penalties. Cech paused his Ice Hockey career after he was included in Chelsea Premier League squad for 2020-21 season. He returned to Ice Hockey after the season.
3. Andre Schurrle – Mountaineer
Former Chelsea player and World Cup winner, Andre Schurrle switched from football to be a mountain climber after his retirement.
Andre Schurrle didn’t have the expected end to his football career he must have hoped and had to retire at the age of 29. After his retirement, the German international finished the Wim Hof technique. Extreme temperatures make it a difficult endeavor that strains the body to the maximum. The former footballer was recently seen hiking mountains while partially naked in – 19 degrees.
4. Michael Owen – Horse Riding
Former English footballer, Michael Owen became a horse rider and owned his own horse racing yard.
One of the greatest Englishman to kick a ball, Michael Owen had a soft spot for horses and horse riding. He went after his other passion after calling it retirement with football. His racing yard is called Manor House Stables.
5. Paolo Maldini – Tennis
AC Milan’s former player Paolo Maldini returns the ball during the men’s doubles tennis match, with his partner Stefano Landonio against Poland’s player Tomasz Bednarek and Nederland’s player David Pel during the ATP Challenger Tour on June 27, 2017 at the Aspria Tennis Club in Milan. / AFP PHOTO / Marco BERTORELLO (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images)
Former AC Milan defender, Paolo Maldini surprisingly switched to Tennis playing after his retirement from football.
The Italian switched to professional tennis playing when he was 49-year-old. He participated in the second tier ATP Challenger Tour event and won it.
6. Fabien Barthez – GT Racing
Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Fabien Barthez switched to GT racing after retiring from professional football.
The Frenchman has competed in some of the the most decorated races in the sport, example the Le Mans 24 hours. Fabien Barthez won the 1998 World Cup with France and ended his international career at 2006 World Cup. Fabien Barthez has a win percentage of 3.9 in GT Racing.
