Even though football is a highly lucrative sport, footballers filing for bankruptcy is a pretty common sight. Some of the biggest names over the years have filed for bankruptcy despite earning millions during their playing days. Most of the footballers who have filed for bankruptcy are known for partying hard and spending money even harder. Here are 5 former footballers who have filed for bankruptcy.
Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is considered to be one of the fan favourites in the sport of football. The former Brazilian footballer was like a magician with the ball at his feet. After failing to pay an 8.5 million Brazilian Real (about £1.7 million) fine for being found guilty of illegally constructing an environmental protection area in 2015, Ronaldinho and his brother both had their passports seized in 2018. The Barcelona legend was unable to leave his native Brazil because his passport had been seized due to financial defaults. He was said to have had a little more than £5 in his bank account.
It didn’t get any better for Ronaldinho however; in 2020, he was detained in Paraguay together with his brother after it was discovered that he had travelled with forged documents. He was arrested in March of that year and released in August, according to sources, after friend and former teammate Samuel Eto’o reportedly paid the prison almost €1.37 million to let him go.
David James
It was shocking to learn that David James, who represented England 53 times and had a lengthy, successful career in the Premier League, had been declared bankrupt in 2014. The former goalkeeper was thought to have made roughly £20 million throughout his tenure, but after divorcing his wife in 2005, he racked up debt. Two years later, in order to pay off his obligations, he sold a tonne of football memorabilia. Since then, he has built a media career.
Celestine Babayaro
Celestine Babayaro, a Nigerian who was most known for his tenure with Chelsea between 1997 and 2005, was declared bankrupt in 2011 after leaving the game in 2008. Neighbours at the time suspected Babayaro was having financial difficulties since reports stated he had stopped maintaining his £475,000 home in Middlesex.
Royston Drenthe
Royston Drenthe was an Everton and Real Madrid player. After failing while playing for Real Madrid and Everton, he even later became a rapper. After it was revealed that Drenthe had lost an incredible £3.2 million, he filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Being a member of the Real Madrid team for five years was a lucky break that had ended. Even after filing for bankruptcy, he continued to play football, competing in the Dutch and Spanish third divisions.
Diego Maradona
Probably the biggest name on this list would come with less surprise. Diego Maradona was widely regarded as the best football player of all time, and everyone knew that he wasn’t afraid to have fun. Maradona struggled constantly with his drug and alcohol addiction and developed a reputation as a party animal. After being pursued by the Italian Tax Authority for a £42 million bill from his tenure at Napoli, he declared bankruptcy in 2009.
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