Those that play sport at knowledgeable stage are sometimes extra disciplined and gifted in different areas, having hung out throughout their youth specializing in a number of occasions in an effort to broaden their experiences.
Whereas some athletes must prioritise one sport over one other, a number of footballers have given different sports activities a go following retirement. Some have even performed one other sport to a excessive commonplace whereas enjoying soccer on the prime stage.
Former Manchester United and Uruguay striker Diego Forlan just lately made headlines as he made his professional tennis debut on the ripe outdated age of 45 – although it ended in defeat in his hometown of Montevideo.
Associated
Varane, Van Basten, Zidane: 11 footballers who retired early
Following Raphael Varane’s current resolution to deliver an finish to his profession, here is a have a look at gamers who retired sooner than anticipated.
Soccer FanCast takes a have a look at those that have managed to pursue one other sport after retiring, and even those that have managed to carry out at a excessive stage throughout two sports activities on the identical time…
1
Diego Forlán
Tennis
The Uruguayan is greatest remembered on these shores for his poor spell with Manchester United, scoring just 17 goals for the Previous Trafford facet earlier than becoming a member of Villarreal.
He lived as much as his potential in Spain and led Uruguay to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, scoring 5 targets within the course of. He has taken up tennis since retiring, just lately making his skilled debut.
Enjoying within the doubles alongside Federico Coria on the Uruguay Open, the previous striker and his associate ended up dropping 6-1 6-2 within the first spherical.
2
Andy Goram
Cricket
Andy Goram might be remembered as one of many best goalkeepers in Glasgow Rangers historical past, enjoying below Walter Smith for seven years and being a key element of the crew that claimed 9 league titles in a row.
Nevertheless, he may effectively have made it as a cricketer. Goram is the final particular person to characterize Scotland at each soccer and cricket, enjoying 5 instances within the latter between 1989 and 1991.
He even confronted Australia, scoring six runs in opposition to them within the course of.
3
Curtis Woodhouse
Boxing
Curtis Woodhouse performed within the Premier League throughout his spell at Birmingham Metropolis, whereas additionally having fun with stints with Sheffield United, Peterborough United and Hull Metropolis, ultimately making over 300 professional appearances.
After he retired, Woodhouse started making a reputation for himself on the boxing scene, turning skilled in 2006.
Throughout his second profession, the previous defender fought 31 instances in complete, profitable 24 of these bouts, with 13 of these coming by way of knockout. A stable report certainly.
4
Petr Cech
Ice hockey
Petr Cech was arguably considered one of Chelsea’s best signings through the Roman Abramovich period, making nearly 500 competitive appearances for the Blues over 11 years, profitable the Champions League, 4 Premier League titles and a bunch of different honours in London.
As soon as he hung up his gloves, Cech began enjoying ice hockey for Guildford Phoenix, earlier than making his skilled debut for the Belfast Giants within the Elite League final November.
The 42-year-old has actually transferred his abilities over from soccer to hockey, and he may effectively be a fixture within the latter sport for the following few years.
Associated
Todd Boehly’s worst transfers at Chelsea… so far
There are a lot to select from, however who has been Boehly’s greatest mistake at Stamford Bridge?
5
Tim Wiese
Wrestling
Tim Wiese was identified for his seven seasons with German Bundesliga facet Werder Bremen between 2005/06 and 2011/12, the place he made a complete of 266 appearances for the membership, profitable the German Cup in 2009.
The previous goalkeeper saved 81 clear sheets for the membership throughout his spell whereas receiving six caps for the German nationwide crew. Wiese was a part of the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship squads, however did not make an look in both competitors.
Following his retirement, Wiese revealed that he had been provided a WWE developmental contract, making the transition from soccer to wrestling.
He went on to signal for WWE in 2016, wrestling for them in November 2016, the place he acquitted himself pretty effectively, potential as a result of unbelievable physique he had developed since retiring from soccer.
6
Rafael van der Vaart
Darts
Lately, darts and the Netherlands have turn into as synonymous as soccer and Brazil, producing gamers equivalent to Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen.
Former Ajax and Actual Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart, who played over 100 times for his nation, turned to darts following his retirement from soccer, though he wasn’t precisely destined to be like Van Gerwen.
Enjoying within the BDO Denmark Open in 2019, the previous attacking midfielder made a powerful begin, profitable his first tie, however he lost in the following round to Mogens Christensen, averaging simply 54 within the course of.
7
Bixente Lizarazu
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Bixente Lizarazu made over 600 appearances in a profession which noticed him shine for France as they received the World Cup and European Championship in 1998 and 2000 respectively, earlier than claiming the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2001.
After retirement, the defender turned his eye to one thing new – Brazilian jiu-jitsu – which he began in 2009. He even grew to become the European champion of the game within the senior division, displaying how good Lizarazu had turn into on the sport.
8
Gareth Bale
Golf
After Wales secured qualification for Euro 2020, Gareth Bale unfurled a banner which learn: “Wales. Golf. Madrid.,” which worsened his relations with the membership facet Real Madrid.
It was no secret that Bale’s love of golf had seen him get out on the course extra usually than enjoying for his membership, however since retirement, the Welshman took it up a notch.
He has performed in a number of occasions, together with the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am, BMW PGA Professional-Am, and the All-Star Ryder Cup. On the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship Professional-Am, Bale shot below par throughout his spherical at Carnoustie – no imply feat contemplating how tough the course is, even for professionals.
With loads of time to spare now he has retired, Bale has the prospect to play as usually as he likes, wherever he likes. He’s additionally an envoy for Underrated Golf, which gives alternatives for children in Wales to hone their abilities on the course.
