Football by its nature can be termed as a short-lived career meaning those who are employed to play football must often put their income into good use by creating bigger fortunes through venturing into businesses to provide security beyond retirement.
In this article we will look at the top ten footballers who have made fortunes outside of football proving their capabilities extend beyond football.
1. Mathieu Flamini $28 billion.
The former Arsenal player has had a post-football career which has been a success after he co-founded GF Biochemicals with Pasquale Granata back in 2008. The company is focused on producing levulinic acid which is an eco-friendly component. Since then the company has grown and is now rated to be $28 billion making him to the richest former footballer in the world. However the figures quoted above is not all his personal wealth as credible sources quote that he has a personal wealth of over $20 million.
2. Louis Saha $5 billion.
The former France striker is another former footballer who has gone under the radar with success after retiring from football. The former Manchester United and Everton player founded the Axis Stars an app which provides secure platform for pro-athletes and entertainers combining trusted resources into one convenient interface and generate income and upskill for the future. This venture has witnessed success and it’s currently valued at $5 billion.
3. David Beckham $453 million.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is ranked third richest former footballer who have made fortunes after retiring from football. Beckham diversified his portfolio to business, fashion, cultural ambassador and acquired stake ownership in Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. The ex-England captain has seen his personal wealth rise to over $450 million.
4. Martin Braithwaite $ 287 million.
The Danish has made significant strides in the property sector as he is making big bucks from the sector. His partnership stake at NYCE Companies has contributed to growth of his personal wealth beyond football earnings. His net worth is currently estimated to be $287 million.
5. Andres Iniesta $120 million.
The Spanish might be the most successful player in our list as he has won countless trophies with club and country during his career. The former Barcelona star took ownership of Bodega Iniesta which he inherited from his father which has contributed to his enormous wealth. Iniesta has also invested in a tech company called First Vision which aims to revolutionise sports.
6. Thomas Graversen $100 million.
Graversen is somehow an odd person in this list as he made his fortunes from playing poker. His reported net worth of $100 million was earned in a span of eight years of playing poker in United States casinos. However he has made strategic investments in bars and restaurants. The former Real Madrid and Everton player now lives a luxurious lifestyle alongside other Hollywood celebrities.
7. Gerard Pique $80 million.
Alongside winning countless trophies with Barcelona and Spain national team. Gérard Pique is also a successful former footballer who have made fortunes. He is the co-founder of Kosmos, a production company focusing on sports. Additionally he owns a gaming company Kerad Games and has a 27% share in Bas Almentaria, a meat company.
8. Rio Ferdinand $75 million.
The former Manchester United defender is another Premier League star who ventured into property investments and created his own brand, the FIVE brand which has contributed to his wealth rising to $75 million.
9. Michael Owen $68 million.
The former Premier League star and 2001 Balloon d’Or winner owns Manor House Stables which is a training ground for racehorses. This connection to horse racing has seen his wealth amount to $68 million as of 2024.
10. Robie Fowler $50 million.
Robie has made it in the property game since his retirement and now runs seminars on investing and turning a profit when buying property.
Other players outside top ten
David Villa
David Villa is another player who narrowly missed the top ten list as since his retirement he has continued to succeed especially after he joined KraneShares, an asset management company which founded a new football team Queensboro FC in in USA.
Ryan Bertrand
The former Chelsea and Southampton defender is another former player who deserves a honourable mention in our list. He founded Silicon Markets with some of his friends in 2015. This brokerage firm aims to revolutionise retail trading.
