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Football can make players millionaires in just a few years, but a lucrative career does not always guarantee financial security after retirement.
For some former stars, enormous earnings were followed by unpaid taxes, failed investments, expensive lifestyles, addiction, divorce settlements and poor financial planning.
Their experiences show how quickly football fortunes can disappear when income falls sharply after the final whistle.
Here are seven high-profile footballers whose finances suffered major setbacks after or towards the end of their playing careers:
1. Ronaldinho
Brazilian great Ronaldinho earned millions during a glittering career that included the World Cup, a Ballon d’Or and major honours with Barcelona.
However, his post-playing years were marked by legal and financial problems.
Brazilian authorities seized properties and froze accounts over unpaid debts and fines, while his lavish lifestyle and unsuccessful business and property ventures reportedly contributed to his financial difficulties.
Ronaldinho was also detained in Paraguay in 2020 after entering the country with false documents.
Although he has continued to make money through commercial appearances, endorsements and business activities, the financial security associated with his playing career has been significantly affected.
2. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona was one of football’s greatest stars, leading Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and becoming a legend at Napoli.
Despite earning substantial sums during his career and later through coaching and endorsements, Maradona endured years of financial pressure.
His problems included excessive spending, addiction and a long-running tax dispute with Italian authorities dating back to his Napoli years.
Italian authorities pursued a huge tax claim against him and seized assets during his visits to the country.
Although later legal developments significantly reduced the historic tax liability, Maradona died in 2020 amid complicated financial and family disputes.
3. Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne, popularly known as Gazza, became one of England’s most celebrated footballers after starring for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Rangers.
At the height of his career, his wealth was estimated in the millions of pounds.
But severe alcohol and drug problems, failed ventures, tax debts and a turbulent personal life seriously damaged his finances.
His companies collapsed, and he faced bankruptcy proceedings, although he later used an Individual Voluntary Arrangement to restructure some of his debts.
Gascoigne has continued to earn from books, television appearances and speaking engagements, but his financial struggles have remained closely linked to his long-running personal battles.
4. George Best
Manchester United legend George Best was among football’s first global superstars, winning the European Cup and Ballon d’Or during an outstanding career.
His enormous fame brought significant wealth, but alcoholism, gambling and extravagant spending steadily eroded his finances.
Best was declared bankrupt in the early 1980s and struggled financially for years.
The Northern Ireland icon died in 2005 after years of health problems. Despite the fortune generated by his football career and celebrity status, he left behind substantial financial liabilities.
5. Celestine Babayaro
For Nigerian football fans, Celestine Babayaro’s story remains particularly striking.
The former Super Eagles defender won Olympic gold with Nigeria in 1996 and enjoyed a successful Premier League career with Chelsea and Newcastle United. At one point, he was reportedly earning about £25,000 a week.
However, injuries, declining football income, property problems and the financial crisis of 2008-09 contributed to his difficulties.
Babayaro was declared bankrupt in England around 2011, while creditors pursued his assets.
His case highlighted the financial risks faced by players whose careers are disrupted before they have adequately prepared for life after football.
6. Asamoah Gyan
Ghana captain and prolific striker Asamoah Gyan earned huge sums during spells in England, the United Arab Emirates and China. At one stage, reports placed his weekly earnings at more than £200,000.
Gyan invested in several businesses and accumulated expensive cars, properties and other assets.
However, disputes over his finances, unpaid wages and a highly publicised marriage and property battle placed considerable pressure on his wealth.
In 2018, Gyan publicly displayed a bank statement reportedly showing a balance of about £597, highlighting the dramatic financial pressure he was facing at the time.
He later rebuilt his financial position through business interests, endorsements and other commercial activities.
7. Cafu
Brazilian legend Cafu won two World Cups and captained his country to victory in 2002. He also enjoyed successful spells with Roma and AC Milan.
After retirement, however, Cafu and his wife became involved in a player-agency business that encountered serious financial difficulties. Failed investments and mounting debts eventually led to court action and the seizure or auction of properties.
Reports around his bankruptcy proceedings put his debts at millions of Brazilian reais. Some of his valuable properties were subsequently targeted by creditors.
Cafu has continued working in ambassadorial and commercial roles while attempting to resolve his financial obligations, but his post-retirement experience has demonstrated that even enormous football earnings can be vulnerable to poor investments.
