Top 5 Footballers Who Switched to New Sports

Many professional players spend their entire lives dedicated to football. They train hard, compete at the highest level, and push themselves to reach the top. However, some athletes chose a different path and became part of the group of footballers who switched to new sports. While most continue their passion after retiring from football, some even tried balancing both sports at the same time.

Switching to a new sport is challenging. It requires new skills, different training routines, and mental adjustment. The footballers featured in this list decided to explore new opportunities, seeking a fresh challenge after years on the football field.

List of 5 Footballers Who Switched to New Sports

5. Ivan Perisic - Beach Volleyball

Ivan Perisic is one of Croatia's most reliable football players. He earned 138 caps for the national team, making him the second-most capped Croatian player after Luka Modric. Over his club career, he played 615 professional matches, scoring 141 goals and assisting 122 times.

In 2017, Perisic chose to explore a new sport instead of taking a break after a long football season. He decided to play beach volleyball, a sport he loved since childhood. He partnered with Niksa Dell'Orco to represent Croatia at the Porec Major Event. Despite losing both matches, Perisic described the experience as a dream come true, emphasizing the joy of playing the sport he loved.

Ivan Perisic is an excellent example of footballers who switched to new sports while staying true to their passion

4. Gareth Bale - Golf

Gareth Bale is remembered for his incredible performances for Real Madrid and Wales. He played 111 matches for Wales, scoring 40 goals, making him one of the top scorers and most-capped Welsh players. His club career includes 554 matches, 185 goals, and 132 assists, including his famous solo goal against Barcelona in 2014.

After retiring in 2022, Bale turned his attention to golf. He participated in tournaments like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and BMW PGA Pro-Am. While he enjoys golf as a new challenge, Bale has no plans to turn professional in this sport. His journey is another example of footballers who switched to new sports, trying something outside football while maintaining a competitive spirit.

3. Paulo Maldini - Tennis

Paulo Maldini is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history. He spent his entire career at AC Milan, playing 647 matches and scoring 29 goals. For Italy, he earned 126 caps and scored 7 goals, playing a crucial role in the national team's success in the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups.

After retirement, Maldini explored tennis. He partnered with Stefano Landonio at the Aspira Tennis Tournament but lost their match 6–1, 6–1. He injured a muscle early in the game but emphasized that his main goal was to enjoy the experience rather than winning. Maldini demonstrates the unique determination of footballers who switched to new sports even later in life.

2. Rio Ferdinand - Boxing

Rio Ferdinand was one of the Premier League's strongest defenders. He played 312 matches for Manchester United, scoring 7 goals, and appeared in 81 matches for England, scoring 3 goals. Ferdinand won numerous domestic and European titles, becoming a football legend.

After football, he decided to take on boxing. Ferdinand launched a project called "Defender to Contender" to pursue a professional career. Unfortunately, the British Boxing Board of Control rejected his application, preventing him from competing professionally. Despite the setback, Ferdinand remains one of the most notable footballers who switched to new sports, showing his willingness to take risks beyond football.

1. Diego Forlan - Tennis

Diego Forlan is one of South America's best strikers. He played for top clubs in England, Italy, and Spain, with 525 club matches and 222 goals. For Uruguay, he reached 100+ caps and won the Golden Ball in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

In 2019, after retiring, Forlan pursued tennis. He made his professional debut at the Montevideo Challenger, teaming up with Federico Coria in doubles. Though they lost the match 6–1, 6–2, it marked the start of his journey among footballers who switched to new sports. Forlan's move shows that even top footballers can explore entirely new arenas with determination.