The most bizarre career changes in football history

How long does a football player remain in his prime? Four, five years—maybe six at best. Then what comes next? Longevity in football is never guaranteed, which is why many players pursue entirely different careers after hanging up their boots. Here’s a look at some of the most bizarre career transitions made by former footballers.

David Beckham, regarded by many as the first viral football 'rock star,' created an incredible fashion empire following his departure from professional football in 2013. Following a four-month stint at PSG, the former midfielder retired after a 20-year career.

Now a successful entrepreneur and a fashion icon, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player struck deals with Adidas and Tudor (watches). He is now president and co-owner of Inter Miami, while also owning a share of Salford City. The legendary midfield has a foot in both worlds.

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Known by many football fans as 'The Axe,' the hard-hitting midfielder forged a remarkable career outside of football, transitioning to a Hollywood big screen.

The former Wimbledon FC midfielder retired in 1998 at 34, and later that year he starred in Guy Richie's classic 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,' for which he was awarded the Empire Award for Best Newcomer.

After retiring in 2012, the former AC Milan and Chelsea star from Ukraine pursued a career in politics in his home country. "My future is no longer in football," he shared during a press conference in 2012. According to Transfermarkt, the forward scored 342 goals in 704 games.

Shevchenko returned to sports in 2022, becoming the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

Labeled by FIFA as "one of the best Japanese football icons," the former Serie A midfielder was truly unstoppable. Nicknamed 'Hide Nakata' for his illusive ball movements, the former Japanese international excelled for AS Roma and AC Parma, amongst others.

Now, Nakata dedicates himself to the fashion industry, while also owning a sake brand named 'N'. "Japenese sake brewers are very traditional, very inward-looking. I want to create a bridge between them and the world," said Nakata during a Peak Magazine interview.

George Weah, another well-known footballer who went on to have a successful career after hanging up his boots, became president of Liberia. Weah's life changed after Arsène Wenger spotted him playing football in Cameroon. He would go on to shine at AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

Weah was elected as president of the Liberian Republic in 2018, finishing his term in 2025. "Weah is born 'from the land,' he is a star, but he has his country in his heart," shared Oliver Myers (Reuters, 2017).

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The former Bundesliga goalkeeper swapped his football cleats for his wrestling gear upon retiring. The ex-Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen goalkeeper joined the WWE in 2016.

After packing on 40 kilos (88 lbs) of muscle, the ex-German goalkeeper became a regular fighter at the WWE, labeling it the "Champions League" of wrestling, reports BeSoccer.

Barthez was another great goalkeeper whose career lasted over two decades. The Frenchman played for Manchester United, Olympique de Marseille, FC Nantes, and AS Monaco. After playing football, he entered professional car racing.

According to The Sun, Barthez took up racing professionally in 2008 and began to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup, in France. He also entered the French GT Championships, Bioracing Series, and the Caterham Sigma Cup France the following year.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is another example of a former footballer who transitioned to politics following his professional stint. The former Tottenham striker retired from football in 2022 while playing for a local team in Russia.

He is now a deputy for Vladimir Putin's "United Russia" party in his hometown of Stavropol, where he secured 63% of the votes and was elected to the regional council in 2012.

The former Wigan Athletic center-back picked a very unique career after hanging up his boots for good. The Dutch defender joined the Dutch police following his career across the UK and the Netherlands.

"I still work with the Dutch police force, believe it not as an inspector or detective as you call it," he told his former team-mate Emerson Boyce in a podcast. "I loved playing football so much that I didn't want to play it and be on the side of the pitch all the time," shared the former Wigan defender.

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