Check out the top ten most bizarre career moves by retired footballers. Including an ex-Manchester United star turned Thespian and a former Chelsea man getting political…
Former German international goalkeeper Tim Wiese made his debut in the WWE on Saturday (check out the full video here), certainly not the kind of career move you see every day. But the ex-Bundesliga shot-stopper is not the first footballer to go on to have an unusual career after retiring.
SEE MORE:
Players Almost Signed Arsenal: Top ten players who massively regret not signing for Arsenal – Liverpool & Manchester United stars included.
FM15 Free Agents: Best free agents in Football Manager 2015 – Ex-Arsenal, Manchester United, & Barcelona stars included.
Isco Liverpool: Liverpool looking to bring Real Madrid star to Anfield in January.
Here are the Mail’s ten most unusual career choices by footballers after they retired from the beautiful game:
10) Eric Cantona – Actor
The former Manchester United star has gone on to star in a number of films since his retirement from football, including Elizabeth in 1998 and more recently Looking for Eric.
He is also known for a number of superb adverts, including his most recent advert for Kronenbourg.
9) David Icke – Writer
Icke was extraordinarily outspoken both as a footballer and a presenter after injury cut his career short. It was hardly surprising therefore that the former shot-stopper became a controversial writer who used to discuss conspiracy theories.
8) Ray Wilson – Undertaker
After discovering that management wasn’t for him, the 1966 World Cup winner became an undertaker in Huddersfield.
He recently sold his World Cup winner’s medal for £80,000 after retiring.
7) Jose Manuel Pinto – Musician
I’m sure there are plenty of footballers who are handy with an instrument or two, but Barcelona shot-stopper Pinto is on a different level.
Pinto is a successful music producer and has started his own charity which seeks to spread music throughout the world.
6) Gaizka Mendieta – DJ
Now a successful DJ, the ex-Spanish international didn’t wait to retire before following his dream. He used to sneak into clubs in disguise after matches, DJing in secret completely off the record.
5) Andriy Shevchenko – Politician
Shevchenko is an icon in his home country of Ukraine, and after retiring became a politician for the Ukraine – Forward! party.
He hasn’t exactly been successful as a politician, but unlike his stint at Chelsea he may stick with it a little longer.
4) Thomas Gravesen – Poker player
Gambling is not usually a fruitful venture for ex-footballers, with a number of former players declaring bankruptcy after suffering from nasty addiction. Gravesen has done unbelievably well following retirement however, investing in a number of businesses, selling his shares at the right time, and doing well on the poker circuit.
3) Kevin Kyle – Storeman on a ship
One such player who suffered from a gambling addiction is Kevin Kyle. The former Premier League striker lost his fortune and now spends his days cleaning floors and making beds on a ‘floating hotel’ for oil workers.
2) Tomas Brolin – Ecclectic businessman and Poker player
Brolin ran a plethora of businesses after retiring from football at just 29-years-old, as well as having a fairly successful stint on the professional poker circuit.
1) Bixente Lizarazu – Brazilian Jujitsu fighter
Arguably the most bizarre post-retirement job on the list, the French World Cup winner became a Jiujitsu expert after finishing his career in football.
In his first tournament just 18 months after taking up the sport, became the European champion of the senior lightweight division.