Have you ever wondered what footballers do once they step away from the pitch?
While some remain in football through coaching or punditry, others take an entirely different route, venturing into new sporting disciplines.
Here’s a look at some footballers who pursued careers in other sports after hanging up their boots.
Eric Cantona – Beach Soccer
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona wasted no time returning to the field after his surprise retirement in 1997. He joined the France national beach soccer team in 2002 and later took on the role of coach, leading them to victory at the restructured Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005.
Ilhan Mansiz – Figure Skating
A hero for Turkey during the 2002 World Cup, Mansiz scored the Golden Goal that sent his team to the semi-finals. Years later, he took up figure skating alongside his partner, Olga Bestandigova, in an attempt to qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics, though they fell short.
Petr Cech – Ice Hockey
Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech swapped the football pitch for the ice rink in 2019. He signed with Guildford Phoenix as a goaltender and made an instant impact, delivering a match-winning performance on his debut as his team triumphed over Swindon Wildcats 2 in a penalty shootout.
Bixente Lizarazu – Jiujitsu
After a decorated football career that included a World Cup win with France in 1998, Lizarazu turned to jiujitsu. His efforts bore fruit in 2009 when he won the European Blue Belt Senior 1 Light Division title.
Daniele Massaro – Rally Driving
An AC Milan stalwart and World Cup finalist with Italy in 1994, Massaro embraced his need for speed by transitioning to rally driving. He competed in the World Rally Championship in 1998 and 1999 with the Opel team.
Tim Wiese – Professional Wrestling
After an extensive career as a Bundesliga goalkeeper, Tim Wiese sought a different kind of battle—inside the wrestling ring. He pursued a career in WWE and made his debut as a special guest timekeeper in Frankfurt before eventually stepping into the ring himself.
Bruce Arena – Lacrosse
Before becoming a renowned manager of the United States national football team, Bruce Arena was an accomplished lacrosse player. He even won a world championship in 1974 while balancing both sports.
Shane Long – Hurling
Before establishing himself as a Premier League striker, Shane Long showcased his skills in another sport—hurling. He represented Tipperary at the minor level and twice reached the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Mick Channon – Horse Racing
A prominent England international in the 1970s, Channon found success off the pitch in horse racing. As a trainer, he reached the pinnacle of the sport, producing a Classic-winning horse, Samitar, in the 2012 Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Curtis Woodhouse – Boxing
Once a promising midfielder for Sheffield United, Curtis Woodhouse lost his passion for football and transitioned to boxing. His dedication paid off when he won the British Light-Welterweight title, proving his talent extended beyond the football field.
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