Footballers might often appear as if they’re from another planet, but the fact is that they are just like you, me and that weird guy that hangs out by the post office. Despite their high-profile and often pressurised jobs, footballers need a way to unwind and relax when they’re not doing their business on the pitch. Aside from training in the morning and the 90 minutes of game time they play on a weekend, there is a lot of free time which footballers have to try and fill.
While there have been a host of players over the years who have struggled to find productive activities to occupy themselves when they’re not kicking a ball around, a lot of the most famous names in the game have picked up slightly unusual hobbies to keep themselves occupied away from the field.
Here are just a few footballers and the hobbies they enjoy when they aren’t playing.
Petr Cech (Drumming): Having lost his place at Chelsea to Thibaut Courtois last season, Petr Cech appeared to be filling his time by playing the drums. Following his move to Arsenal in the summer, the Czech international might be playing more first-team football but it hasn’t stopped his passion for percussion. Aside from being one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history, anyone who has checked out the 33-year-old’s official YouTube channel can see Cech is a very capable drummer. After performing at a music festival in the Czech Republic in 2013, the keeper had the chance to enjoy a jamming session with Queen drumming god Roger Taylor as part of a BBC show, which highlighted just how much Cech enjoys drumming when not frustrating strikers in the Premier League.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Poker): Footballers have always enjoyed playing Texas Hold’em when travelling to games, and a host of the world’s best players have taken it to the next level by linking up with PokerStars over the past few years. The latest superstar to sign on as a brand ambassador for the world’s biggest poker company is Cristiano Ronaldo. While the Real Madrid superstar is one of the greatest footballers to ever grace the football pitch, Ronaldo’s talents clearly don’t just lie with his feet. The three-time Balloon d’Or winner has been a fan of poker for years and is now expected to compete in a number of PokerStars tournaments.
Image Source: sectorpoker.com
Clint Dempsey (Rapping): One of the best American players to have ever played in the Premier League, Clint Dempsey has been dipping his toe in the world of rap music for a good few years. The midfielder, who adopted the stage name ‘Deuce’, has worked on a number of tracks during his time, including a collaboration with Nike ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The former Fulham and Tottenham star, who returned to the U.S. in 2013 after signing for MLS side the Seattle Sounders, performed a track at the FIFA 15 launch party, going on to release a full album later in 2014 called “The Redux”. The album came seven years after the USMNT stalwart released his first album, and it’s likely that Dempsey will throw his full focus into music when he finally hangs up his boots and calls time on his illustrious career.
Image source: youtube.com
Daniel Agger (Tattoo Artist): Aside from being known as one of Liverpool’s best defenders in recent years, Daniel Agger is also known as being a huge fan of tattoos. The Denmark international sports a number of tattoos, including the famous Liverpool slogan, Y.N.W.A – which stands for ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – across his knuckles in tribute to his time with the Premier League side. Now back at his boyhood club Brondby after leaving Liverpool, the centre-back also boasts an impressive Viking-inspired mural on his back, which only adds to his already-intimidating image. But as well as regularly getting tattoos, Agger has also put his passion to productive use, qualifying as a tattoo artist – possibly pointing towards a future career when he retires from football.
Andrea Pirlo (Winemaking): It should hardly come as a surprise that Andrea Pirlo enjoys a glass of wine when he’s not weaving his magic in midfield and making girls and boys swoon in the stands. The classy Italian exudes sophistication when on the field, and the 36-year-old can often be seen working the land on his vineyard in northern Italy, creating wine which sells extremely well online. The former Juventus star, who moved to the MLS with New York City in the summer despite reported interest from the likes of Chelsea, won’t be short of offers when he does end his stellar football career, but you can just picture the smooth Italian sipping a nice glass of red while surveying his land as he ages much more graciously than the rest of us.
Rangers complete the signing of Jon McLaughlin from Sunderland
Rangers have confirmed the signing of Scotland international goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin from English club Sunderland. The 32-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the Gers, the club has revealed.
McLaughlin has been with Sunderland for the past two seasons. However, with his contract expiring at the end of the month, he has made the move to Ibrox.
Jon McLaughlin to Rangers: Five things you need to know…
- McLaughlin started out at non-league English club Harrogate Town and has had stints at Bradford and Burton Albion.
- The 32-year-old spent a season with Scottish club Hearts, before joining Sunderland in 2018.
- He made 90 appearances for the League One side, keeping 27 clean sheets in the process.
- McLaughlin made his international debut for Scotland in 2018. While he has just two caps, he is a regular in the squad.
- The Scotsman has penned a two-year contract with Rangers.
Rangers were in need of bolstering their goalkeeping department after releasing both Wes Foderingham and Jak Alnwick.
McLaughlin arrives as competition for first-choice shot-stopper Allan McGregor, who turned 38 in January. Speaking to the club’s website after his arrival, McLaughlin said:
“It’s a very proud moment for myself and for the family. It is great to be back up here in Scotland and we are very proud to have made the deal happen.”
Also Read
- Rangers boss Steven Gerrard hints at more incomings at Ibrox
- Rangers interested in signing Manchester United academy man Dion McGhee
Manager Steven Gerrard also expressed his delight at having completed the signing. He claimed that McLaughlin’s vast experience would add more strength and depth to the Gers squad.
Rangers have been very active in the transfer market already. McLaughlin joins Calvin Bassey as the latest arrival at Ibrox, while both Ianis Hagi and Jermain Defoe have made their transfers permanent as well.
Craig Gordon hits out at Celtic over dragged-out contract negotiations
As reported by the Daily Record, Craig Gordon has hit out at Scottish champions Celtic over ongoing contract negotiations.
The 37-year-old Gordon’s contract with the Hoops ran out at the end of last month. They remain intent on re-signing him though, and negotiations over a new deal have been ongoing. But the two parties haven’t been able to arrive at an agreement yet. (h/t Daily Record)
Craig Gordon at Celtic: Five things you need to know…
- Gordon has been with Celtic since the summer of 2014.
- To date, the 37-year-old has racked up 242 appearances for the club, keeping 121 clean sheets.
- The former Scotland international won five Premiership titles, four Scottish FA Cups and five Scottish League Cups with the Hoops.
- Having been a certain starter for years, Gordon lost his place to Fraser Forster in 2019/20.
- Gordon’s contract with Celtic ran out last month. Negotiations over a new deal haven’t gone well. There are other clubs interested in signing the veteran.
Opening up on ongoing talks over a new deal, Gordon hit out at Celtic, claiming that the negotiations could have been handled a lot better. (h/t Daily Record)
“They did speak about it a few weeks ago. The negotiations haven’t been particularly good, I’ve got to be honest. It has dragged out and I feel it could have been handled an awful lot better.”
Gordon also went on to reveal that the new offer that Celtic had tabled required him to take a massive wage cut, which he refused. He further added the Scottish champions were yet to come back with an improved offer. (h/t Daily Record)
Also read:
- Wolfsberger manager hints at Shon Weissman exit amid Celtic interest
- Rangers interested in signing former Manchester United academy man Dion McGhee
Gordon, who has rejected an approach from St. Mirren, also claimed that he would be open to returning to boyhood club Hearts, even if it meant playing in the Championship next season. (h/t Daily Record)
With Celtic trying to re-sign Fraser Forster from Southampton, it remains to be seen if they go back with an improved contract offer for Gordon in the coming days.
Celtic star Odsonne Edouard would be a great fit at Arsenal, Tottenham reckons Kris Boyd
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has backed Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard to succeed in the Premier League, amid interest from Arsenal (h/t The Scottish Sun).
The 22-year-old has been a prime asset for Celtic since arriving from PSG three years ago. He has grown into one of the most prolific marksmen and has attracted interest from Premier League clubs and sport bets odds for the striker has grown three folds since his debut for the Glasgow club.
Odsonne Edouard at Celtic: Five things you need to know…
- Edouard joined Celtic from PSG initially on loan in 2017
- The Bhoys signed him on a permanent basis for a club-record fee of £10m in 2018.
- The French goalscorer has made 126 appearances so far, scoring 60 goals.
- Edouard has won two Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic, along with other domestic honours.
- The 22-year-old has been in prolific form in 2019/20, bagging 27 goals and 19 assists.
With Arsenal facing the prospect of losing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, Edouard is being lined up as a potential replacement for the 30-year-old
And, former Rangers ace Kris Boyd has backed the Frenchman to come good in the Premier League.
Writing his column for The Scottish Sun, Boyd claims that the Frenchman’s all-round ability would make him a fine addition at Arsenal or even their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
“I honestly believe Edouard could go all the way. There’s no doubt he could walk into the Arsenal team — and their North London rivals Tottenham would also be a great fit for him.”
Boyd further adds that given how successfully Edouard had linked up with Leigh Griffiths at Celtic, he would form a dangerous strike partnership with Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
Also Read:
- Is Football’s Engine Starting To Rev Once More?
- Christopher Jullien insists Odsonne Edouard will stay at Celtic
- Five soccer predictions from the experts that could not have been more wrong
The former Scotland international also insists that Celtic are under no pressure to sell their ace striker. But should his head turn due to the attention, like Moussa Dembele’s did a couple of years ago, then they will be powerless to stop him.
Edouard still has two years left on his current contract with Celtic. As far as a summer move is concerned, the ball lies in his court.
- Liverpool14 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”