From PSG to Uber: This top-flight footballer now works as a driver

Money, fame and glory on the pitch – that's what every aspiring footballer dreams of growing up. While that's the reality for the likes of Messi and CR7, most players usually have a more turbulent run – even after turning pro. Such is the case for former PSG star Daniel Kenedy.

Kennedy, who was once a star for Paris Saint-Germain and Benifica, now finds himself destitute despite a playing career of 20 years. The former footballer has now taken to Uber to get his life back on track.

Photo by Ummano Dias on Unsplash

Kenedy, originally from Guinar, was a defensive midfielder who arrived in France, in Paris, at the age of 22 from Benfica, in 1996, as reported by RMC Sport.

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The midfielder did not make his mark on Paris Saint-Germain and only stayed one season in the capital club, under the orders of manager Ricardo Gomes.

He left France in 1997, but continued to play until 2012, following short stints with Portuguese, Cypriot and Greek clubs. Unfortunately, as his career came to an end, Kenedy developed an addiction to gambling, particularly sports betting and casinos, to compensate for the lack of thrills on the pitch.

In 2020, he explained to the Record newspaper that, eight years after his retirement, he was completely broke and had lost his entire fortune. He is now trying to rebuild his life to help his family.

From 2015 to 2017, the footballer tried to return to the world of football by becoming a coach, without success, reports RMC Sport. In 2022, he participated in a reality TV show, a Portuguese version of Celebrity Big Brother, but did not get back on track.

Now the Guinean has decided to change his life to become an Uber driver. He explained to the Portuguese news site Correio da Manha: "Today I'm going to start my first day at Uber and I hope it will be a very happy day for me."

"I have my dreams. My dream is football, I love football. But my dreams are just around the corner. Today I will start my job at Uber with great honor and dignity," he explained.

The problem is that the former PSG player, now 50 years old, owes €195,729 ($210k, £165k)  to his creditors, including nearly €40,000 ($43k,£33k) to the Portuguese tax authority and social security, according to Correio da Manha.

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