SUMMARY
- Making a living from playing soccer is a dream for many players, thanks to the career satisfaction, money, and fame it offers.
- Some soccer players lose passion for the game over time.
Soccer is one of the most widely played sports in the world. Millions of young kids around the world desire to become a professional soccer player when they grow up. It’s genuinely a dream for many aspiring soccer players, to make a living out of what they like doing. Besides, the career satisfaction, the money, and the fame that soccer brings are of immaculate value.
The picture of a Kenyan boy with a self made shirt on Twitter touched me so much. 🇰🇪❤ And look at Lawrence now – it’s so heartwarming to see him and his brothers happy🙏🏼😘 #SocialMediaPower 💪🏼 #HappyToAssist #Nairobi #M1Ö pic.twitter.com/nQWgc0cABt
— Mesut Özil (@M10) March 11, 2019
However, not all soccer players retain the love for soccer that they had while growing up. Many of them take up a different sport as a reprieve from the game. These players strictly treat soccer as nothing more than their profession.
Most of them have found solace in different sports. Many soccer players are also bored with the technical aspects of the game. Some of the soccer players have even found careers in a whole different sport.
5 soccer players who hated the sport
1) Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The German goalkeeper has established himself as one of the elite goalkeepers in the world. The 31-year-old joined FC Barcelona from Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach in 2019. The German shot-stopper has impressed the Barca fans with his distribution and sharp reflexes. However, in an interview, Marc-Andre ten Stegen had admitted that he isn’t quite sold for the game of soccer.
UNBELIEVABLE SAVE BY TER STEGEN! pic.twitter.com/AUPWlEWptB
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 2, 2022
He said,(via The Sun), “People laugh when I tell them I have no idea about football.” Marc revealed that he doesn’t watch too many soccer games until someone close to him is playing. The FC Barcelona keeper is reportedly very bad with soccer player names and fails to remember any of his La Liga opponent’s names.
Marc Andre ter Stegen has admitted that he can remember players only by looking at their movement or how they kick the ball. Despite his lack of soccer knowledge, ter Stegen has proved to be an efficient goalkeeper for both FC Barcelona and Germany.
2) Carlos Tevez
The Argentine had an illustrious career in soccer, that took him to various parts of the world. Before, his retirement in 2022, Carlos Tevez had already played in some of the biggest leagues like the Premier League, the Argentine Primera Division, and the Serie A. In doing so, Carlos Tevez amassed more than 400 goal contributions in more than 700 appearances.
Tevez discussing Football on television: “Nothing, I do not like football, if you play Barcelona-Real Madrid and there’s a golf tournament on another channel, I see golf, I’ve never been a fan of football, I like to play, to have the ball between my feet”
byu/wisdom591 insoccer
However, even such an illustrious career could not satisfy ‘El Apache’ who increasingly grew disinterested in soccer. He once said, “Nothing, I do not like football.” Carlos was reportedly, never fond of the technical aspects of the sport. The former Manchester United player liked to play with the ball at his feet rather than learning about tactics.
He also expressed his love for gold. As Carlos Tevez got increasingly preoccupied with soccer, he found solace in golf. The Argentine even went on to say that he would be more interested in watching a golf tournament rather than an El Clasico match. Such comments really portray the enigma that Carlos Tevez is.
3) Ronaldinho
The Brazilian soccer player is one of the best entertainers that the game has seen. The former FC Barcelona and AC Milan forward had amazing dribbling skills and could cut through defenses pretty easily. He combined his elite dribbling with great positional awareness that helped him score a ton of goals. Ronaldinho was one of the few soccer players who has won a UEFA Champions League, a Ballon d’Or, and a FIFA World Cup.
2) Ronaldinho
“I was never one for watching football. I like watching the highlights and goal, but I don’t like the 90 minutes.” pic.twitter.com/Mk5Il5zoVd
— Half Virgin💦 (@modap_) August 24, 2023
However, the Brazilian has revealed that he too is not very fond of the game. He does enjoy playing with the ball at his feet, but cannot watch games for the purpose of analysis. He said, “I was never one for watching football.” To, Ronaldinho, watching a full 90 minutes game is a daunting task. He reportedly only enjoys watching the highlights of the games and the goals.
Despite, Ronaldinho’s loss of love for soccer, his abilities could not be doubted. His legacy in soccer is so big, that many soccer players of this generation look up to him. The Brazilian’s skill compilation videos go viral on the internet even today. The 2005 Ballon d’Or has left a lasting impact on the game of soccer.
4) Antoine Griezmann
The French striker has revived his career after returning to Atletico Madrid in 2021. Griezmann has also transformed his game from being a fox in the box to now being a creative midfielder. Fans have applauded his work ethic and commitment to the sport. And even at the age of 31, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner still outruns most of his teammates.
However, Griezmann shocked the soccer world with an ESPN interview. Griezmann was asked a question about whether he would like to watch a soccer or an NBA game. To everyone’s surprise, the French player chose NBA over soccer. He said, “I’d choose an NBA game, no doubt about it.” He also added that it’s an easy choice for him to choose NBA over soccer.
The former FC Barcelona attacker has never shied away from showcasing his love for the game of basketball. The Atletico Madrid top scorer has been to many NBA games and is reportedly fond of the showmanship aspect of it. He loves it when the players trash-talk, the player presentations, etc. NBA reportedly makes Antoine Griezmann forget everything about soccer.
5)Gareth Bale
The former Real Madrid winger is probably Wales’s greatest contribution to soccer. Gareth Bale impressed the fans with his blistering speed and quick feet. The former Tottenham Hotspur player was a very versatile player who could play anywhere on the right flank. It is safe to say that players like Gareth Bale are just one of a kind.
Wales. Golf. Madrid.
In that order.
GARETH BALE 😮 pic.twitter.com/n8ZvJTzBZu
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 19, 2019
However, even a player like Gareth who was so good at his job, could not fall in love with football completely. Just like the Argentine Carlos Tevez, Gareth Bale too found refuge in the game of Golf. He even once infamously, clicked a picture that read, “Golf. Wales. Madrid.” The gimmick did not go too well with the Real Madrid fanbase who mercilessly booed the Welsh player for his lack of professionalism.
Gareth Bale retired from professional soccer in 2023 with his final club being LA Galaxy which plays in the MLS. The former Welsh captain has now turned to Golf as a career. He even made his debut at the PGT tour at Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California. Gareth Bale is also a playable character in the PGA Tour 2K23 video game.