It’s not easy to play professional football at the highest level. Many people try to make a living out of the sport. Only a handful, though, make it to the professional level. Even fewer make it to the pinnacle of the sport and stay there. However, some footballers have also pursued professional careers in other sports.
One of the most prestigious accomplishments in any athlete’s career is to excel in a sport. These footballers, on the other hand, have excelled not only on the largest stage but also in other sports.
Let’s take a look at five footballers who have also played professionally in other sports:
Tim Weise: Pro Wrestling
In the Bundesliga, the German goalie had a good career. He is best remembered for his time as a member of Werder Bremen. Weise appeared in 194 games for the team during his time in the league. The Gladbach native previously played for Hoffenheim.
In 2014, he retired his boots and entered the world of professional wrestling. WWE has offered Tim Weise a contract. In 2016, the former footballer made his promotion debut. He teamed up with veterans Sheamus and Cesaro during an event in Munich.
Clive Allen: American Football
In the English game, the footballer was a journeyman. He did, however, play for some of the country’s most prestigious clubs. He played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, QPR, and West Ham United for brief periods. Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers were his best clubs.
With 49 goals in the 1986-87 season, he retains the Spurs record for most goals in a season. Even Harry Kane hasn’t quite made it. In 1987, Allen was named PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year. He was also a five-cap member of the England national team.
Following his retirement, the English footballer pursued a career in American football. In NFL Europe, the 36-year-old joined the London Monarchs. For them, he was a placekicker. That season, the squad finished last in the league. As a coach, he returned to football. In 2007 and 2008, Clive Allen was the Spurs’ caretaker manager.
Ivan Perisic: Beach Volleyball
The only active footballer on the list is the Croatian. He has also played professional back volleyball in addition to football. He competed in the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour for his country. On the tour, Ivan Perisic teamed up with Niksa Dellorco. The team’s first match was against Brazilian opponents, and they lost.
The winger had a successful career in football. He has represented some of the world’s most prestigious clubs. Perisic has played for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan, among others. He has two Bundesliga titles and one Serie A title to his name.
Paolo Maldini: Tennis
The Italian is a sports legend. He spent his whole professional career at AC Milan, where he helped the club reach unprecedented heights. With the Rossoneri, the defender won 25 trophies. He has seven Serie A titles and five European titles to his name.
Maldini began playing competitive tennis after retiring from football in 2009. In 2017, the defense competed in the Aspria Tennis Cup’s doubles event. The ATP Challenger Tour is hosting the event.
Maldini and his companion Stefano Landonio, on the other hand, were soundly defeated. In straight sets, they were defeated 6-1, 6-1. This was the Italian’s final tennis match. He presently works for AC Milan as a director.
Petr Cech: Ice Hockey
The Czech goalkeeper had a long and successful career in football. Since the turn of the century, he has been an integral part of Chelsea’s success. The goalie spent 20 years with some of the world’s most prestigious football clubs.
Petr Cech is a five-time Premier League champion as well as a Champions League winner. In England, he also won several domestic cups. Following his retirement, the goalkeeper took up ice hockey. Guilford Phoenix signed the Chelsea legend and he played goaltender for them.
On his debut, the former Blues goalkeeper was named Man of the Match. In a shootout victory, he stopped two penalties. Cech works at Chelsea as a technical and performance advisor and still plays ice hockey in his spare time.
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