Football is often the go-to sport for many talented athletes, but some footballers have proven themselves just as elite in other sports. These players’ diverse skills, honed through experiences in different athletic disciplines, have played a pivotal role in their football success. Here’s a look at 10 footballers who excelled in other sports before or during their careers.
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Top 10 Footballers Who Were Elite in a Different Sport
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – A Black Belt in Taekwondo
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s footballing finesse isn’t his only athletic prowess. At 17, Zlatan was awarded a black belt in Taekwondo, a martial art that he has woven into his football game. His skills in balance, agility, and footwork have been enhanced by his martial arts background.
“It was great for footwork, balance and agility,” said Tony Strudwick, who introduced Taekwondo into training at Manchester United when Zlatan joined in 2017. His approach to mixed sports training has influenced football academies, blending martial arts with soccer for improved player movement.
2. Rio Ferdinand – From Ballet to Football
Before becoming one of England’s greatest defenders, Rio Ferdinand was a talented ballet dancer. At age 11, he won a scholarship to the prestigious Central School of Ballet in London. Reflecting on his time in ballet, Ferdinand stated, “I had an amazing time, but it got to the point where I’d have to go every single day to be able to audition for bigger productions.”
Ballet helped him develop strength, balance, and poise, qualities that later became essential for his football career, especially in improving his mobility and preventing injuries.
3. Wayne Rooney – Boxing Background
Wayne Rooney, known for his intense physicality on the field, was also an avid boxer in his youth. He trained in professional boxing for a few years and attributes much of his football success to his boxing regimen. Boxing taught him crucial skills like agility, reaction time, and cardio.
Most notably, it taught him to handle close-quarter confrontations, a trait essential on the football pitch. Rooney’s ability to read and outwit opponents was sharpened in the ring, and though he chose football, boxing always remained close to his heart.
4. Joe Hart – A Cricketing Virtuoso
Joe Hart, England’s former goalkeeper, was once a standout cricketer before football took center stage. Standing at 6’2″, Hart had the build and speed to bowl at 85 mph, a skill that caught the attention of Worcestershire’s youth squad.
His former coach, Damian D’Oliveira, once remarked that Hart had the potential to become a brilliant cricketer. Though Hart ultimately chose football, his cricketing roots remain a testament to his athletic versatility.
5. Phil Neville – Cricketing Prodigy
Phil Neville’s cricketing skills were equally as impressive as his football career. Neville captained England’s U-15 cricket team and became the youngest player to represent Lancashire’s second XI, a team that also included the famous Andrew Flintoff.
Many at the time believed Neville was a better cricketer than Flintoff, but he chose football and went on to have a distinguished career with Manchester United and England. Cricket and football share skills like reaction time, footwork, and courage under pressure, all of which helped Neville in both sports.
6. Gary Lineker – Cricketing Excellence
Gary Lineker, known for his goal-scoring prowess, was also a talented cricketer in his youth. He captained the Leicestershire Schools cricket team from age 11 to 16 and was considered an excellent batsman. Lineker recalled a day when he scored runs and took a flying catch in front of professional cricketers, describing it as one of his favorite moments in sport.
He once played a cricket match before a football game for Spurs, scoring a century in cricket before netting a hat-trick on the football pitch. His ability to excel in both sports showcased his exceptional athleticism.
7. Petr Čech – From Football to Ice Hockey
Petr Čech is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best-ever goalkeepers, but his talents didn’t end there. After retiring from football, Čech switched to ice hockey and became a goaltender for Guildford Phoenix and later Oxford City Stars.
Having played youth ice hockey alongside football in his younger years, Čech often stated that ice hockey was his first love. His experience in both sports, especially as a goalkeeper, made his transition to ice hockey remarkably seamless, demonstrating his diverse athletic ability.
8. Bixente Lizarazu – Master of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Bixente Lizarazu, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, became an elite practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after retiring from football in 2006. Lizarazu, who also enjoyed surfing and cycling, became a European champion in the self-defense martial art in 2009.
The left-back’s success in Jiu-Jitsu highlighted his discipline, agility, and physicality, traits that were essential to his football career. Lizarazu’s post-football life proves that his competitive nature wasn’t confined to the football pitch.
9. Lev Yashin – The Multi-Sport Athlete
Lev Yashin, often considered the greatest goalkeeper in football history, was also an accomplished multi-sport athlete. In his youth, Yashin played for Dynamo Moscow’s ice hockey team and even won a USSR Ice Hockey Cup in 1953.
His versatility in sports wasn’t limited to hockey—he tried his hand at everything from boxing to fencing, and even water polo. Yashin’s athleticism across a wide range of disciplines helped him develop skills that contributed to his legendary status as a goalkeeper.
10. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – A Rugby and Cricket Talent
Before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career in football took off, he was an exceptional rugby and cricket player. He was a talented scrum-half or full-back in rugby, with London Irish offering him a trial. Additionally, Oxlade-Chamberlain was a promising cricketer and received a trial offer as a wicketkeeper batsman from Hampshire.
Ultimately, he chose football and made over 100 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and Liverpool, but his early experiences in other sports helped hone skills like agility, hand-eye coordination, and decision-making.
These footballers prove that greatness isn’t confined to just one sport. Whether it’s through martial arts, boxing, cricket, or even ice hockey, their skills and experiences across multiple sports have enriched their footballing careers. Their success in different athletic disciplines is a testament to their dedication, talent, and versatility, and it shows how multi-sport exposure can enhance a player’s overall development.
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FAQs
Which footballer has a black belt in taekwondo?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic earned a black belt in taekwondo at age 17, and he integrated martial arts into his football training to improve his agility, balance, and footwork.
Who among footballers practiced ballet?
Rio Ferdinand was offered a ballet scholarship at age 11 and credits ballet with enhancing his strength, balance, and poise, which helped in his football career.
Which footballer was a boxing enthusiast in his youth?
Wayne Rooney trained as a boxer during his adolescent years, which helped him with agility, reactions, footwork, and courage in football.
Which footballer switched to ice hockey after retirement?
Petr Čech, after retiring from football, pursued ice hockey and became a goaltender for third-tier team Oxford City Stars.
Which famous footballer almost chose rugby over football?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a former Premier League player, was offered trials by London Irish for rugby and Hampshire for cricket but ultimately chose football.
