10 Footballers Who Left Football for a Different Sport

Irrespective of how long footballers hold on to the pitch, they would have to hang up their boots? Some might have to do that due to health reasons or the fact that age telling on them. 

When this happens, while many stay connected to football through coaching or media work, some choose an entirely new path, diving into completely different sports. Here are some footballers who made the leap to another sport after their football careers ended.

Ilhan Mansiz

Figure Skating Turkish footballer Ilhan Mansiz, known for his golden goal in the 2002 World Cup, took an unexpected turn after his football career. He pursued figure skating and aimed to qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics. While he didn’t make it, his pursuit of a new passion was remarkable.

Petr Čech

Ice Hockey Chelsea and Arsenal legend Petr Čech switched from football to ice hockey in 2019. After retiring from football, Čech joined Guildford Phoenix as a goaltender, marking his debut with a match-winning performance.

Curtis Woodhouse

Boxing Curtis Woodhouse, who played for Sheffield United, felt his passion for football fade and shifted to boxing. His commitment to his new sport paid off when he won the British Light-Welterweight title, proving his abilities stretched far beyond the football pitch.

Bixente Lizarazu

Jiujitsu After winning the World Cup with France in 1998, Bixente Lizarazu turned his attention to jiujitsu. His dedication paid off in 2009 when he won the European Blue Belt title in the Light Division, proving his competitive spirit was still strong.

Tim Wiese

Professional Wrestling After playing in Germany’s Bundesliga, Tim Wiese found a new form of competition in WWE. The former goalkeeper transitioned to professional wrestling, making his debut as a special guest before stepping into the ring as a full-time competitor.

Bruce Arena

Lacrosse Before becoming a famous football coach, Bruce Arena was a talented lacrosse player. He even won a world championship in 1974, showing his versatility and athleticism in both football and lacrosse.

Eric Cantona

Beach Soccer After his surprising retirement from football in 1997, Manchester United’s Eric Cantona didn’t stray too far from the sport. In 2002, he joined France’s national beach soccer team. Cantona even took on a coaching role, leading his team to a Beach Soccer World Cup win in 2005

Shane Long

Hurling Known for his time as a Premier League striker, Shane Long was also a standout hurler. Representing Tipperary at the minor level, Long reached the All-Ireland semi-finals twice before focusing solely on football.

Daniele Massaro

Rally Driving Known for his successful career at AC Milan, Daniele Massaro found a new thrill in rally driving. In 1998 and 1999, he competed in the World Rally Championship with the Opel team, showcasing his speed and determination on a different track.

Mick Channon

Horse Racing After a successful football career with England in the 1970s, Mick Channon switched to horse racing. As a trainer, he enjoyed success, including producing Samitar, the winner of the 2012 Irish 1,000 Guineas.