5 heads of state you didn't know used to be footballers

Footballers face many battles on the field of play, but once their careers come to an end there are new challenges ahead. Without an income from football, retired players have to find new careers and whilst many remain in football as coaches, agents or pundits, others have found a place in the political world.

Perhaps the key footballing attributes of stamina, determination and creativity serve players well when they make the career switch, as footballers seem to have a knack for politics. Or maybe their success has something to do with the natural popularity of footballers, or their high profile connections in the world of sport.

Whatever the reason, there are multiple players across the world and throughout history who have climbed all the way up the ladder to be in charge of their nations once their careers came to an end.

Here are five heads of state who played at a professional or semi-professional level.

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#5 Viktor Orban - Hungary

Hungarian leader Victor Orban once cancelled a government meeting so he could play in a match

Before he was elected president of Hungary, Viktor Orban played as a defender in Hungary's fourth tier with Puskás Akadémia FC. He even continued to turn out for his club in his first term as Prime Minister. He once caused something of a stir when he cancelled a cabinet meeting in order to play in a match.

Puskás have continued to benefit from the influence of their famous former player. Having been promoted to the Hungarian top flight, the club constructed a new purpose built stadium thanks to strong support from Orban.

The European world leader was even available to sign on Football Manager 2006.

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#4 Clement Attlee - United Kingdom

Former British Prime Minister Clement Attlee played semi professionally with Fleet Town

Clement Attlee might be one of the greatest politicians of his era: best known for serving as British Prime Minister from 1950-1955 after beating Winston Churchill in a general election, he was also the longest serving leader of the Labour Party.

But before he began his career in politics, Attlee had an entirely different claim to fame, turning out for non league outfit Fleet Town. The future Prime Minister played for the club in 1923 when his aunt lived in a house that backed on to the ground.

Attlee continued to be involved in football throughout his life, refereeing matches and helping to coach college teams.

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#3 Evo Morales - Bolivia

Bolivian Leader Evo Morales Organizes Soccer Game During UN General Assembly In New York

Bolivian President Evo Morales plays football at every opportunity, whether it's against journalists, dignitaries, local people or fully fledged professionals. And it's fair to say Morales isn't afraid to get stuck in. In fact, he once broke his nose in a recreational match against local players, and he also scored the winning goal in a game played on Bolivia's highest peak, 6,000 metres above sea level.

In 2014, Morales took his career to the next level, registering to play for Bolivian top flight side Sport Boys whilst still serving as president. The club's president said he would wear the number 10 shirt and play as a midfielder, earning the minimum salary of $214.

#2 Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - Turkey

Erdoğan takes a strong interest in Turkish football

After playing in his village with a ball made of paper, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan went on to excel for local amateur clubs before making the step up to semi-professional level in the 1970s with IETT Spor, a club representing the local transport authority. Erdoğan earned five titles in his seven years with the club.

He retired from football in 1981 after being ordered to shave his beard. Whilst in office, he attempted to improve the national team's form by investing heavily in new stadiums and state of the art facilities. He also continued to take to the field in exhibition matches, scoring a hattrick at a stadium opening in Istanbul.

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#1 George Weah - Liberia

George Weah (R)

George Weah was a seriously good footballer. Considered one of the greatest players to never reach the World Cup and the only African to ever win FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or, Weah played for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Chelsea over a storied 20 year career.

But after serving in his native Liberia as a senator, Weah was elected president of the country in 2018, capitalizing on his enormous popularity as one of Africa's greatest ever footballers.

Weah has continued to play football since starting out in politics, even played internationally for Liberia whilst in office as president, appearing in a friendly match against Nigeria.