Footballers and their hobbies

Any professional footballer would tell you it’s a short career and in no time you’d find yourself on the wrong side of retirement. So what is a player to do, once it’s all done and dusted? It would be unwise not to plan for the inevitable. A lot of the modern day stars are now seriously looking into a few hobbies that would keep them going even beyond their glory days. Have a look, in no particular order, at a few of them here:

Daniel Agger: Tattooist and Hotelier

The heavily tattooed Liverpool center back might have done his own ink job if it were physically possible. What you may find a shock is that the Dane owns two restaurants- Italian and Mexican – in Merseyside. What a businessman!

Ryan Giggs: Yoga

The Manchester United star has become renowned over the past few seasons for being an advocate of yoga as it apparently keeps him fit. Being the explosive player he is, Giggs has been victim of the odd muscle pull over the years and now has the answer.

Theo Walcott: Children’s books

The Arsenal star has penned a deal to become a children’s story writer, of sorts. Working with a secret author, Walcott revealed he has already drafted two tales, both about the adventures of a ‘fictional’ hero schoolboy called TJ. How cute!

Paul Scharner: Parachuting, Bungee Jumping, Water Skiing

Unsatisfied with the pedestrian thrills of football, West Brom defender Paul Scharner garners his excitement elsewhere in the form of bungee jumping, parachuting, skiing, water skiing and skydiving.

The Austrian center back participates in such extreme activities in an effort to challenge himself and help bolster his mentality on the pitch. He also by the way, has a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Manuel Almunia: World War II aficionado

Former Arsenal goalie Almunia got hooked on WWII sites after watching the epic film, Saving Private Ryan. He says: “I read history books, watch documentaries and I like to visit museums when I can.”

Andrei Arshavin: Female Fashion Designer

The Russian playmaker has a penchant for ladies’ fashion, and he’s not afraid to admit it. The Arsenal star admits he took up fashion at university because “there were lots of girls among the students” – genius! He added: “I’m different. But I’m not trying to be eccentric. I always do what my inner voice tells me.”

Cristiano Ronaldo: Bingo

Bingo!

Cristiano Ronaldo apparently is a closeted bingo nerd.

Yes, you read that sentence right. The Real Madrid striker picked up that interesting hobby whilst playing for Manchester United back in 2008.

Once thought as a game solely for senile retirees and young children, Ronaldo has made the game of random numbers and squares cool again for a new generation.

David James: Computer games

A standout keeper in his day, at one time he blamed a stretch of poor performances on his excessive computer game play. James’ addiction went so far as to sideline him from a game due to a repeated stress injury.