While football is often hailed as one of the most popular sports on a global scale with billions of fans from around the world, some of the greatest football players have undoubtedly showcased their dominance far beyond the confines of the football field. The history of football has witnessed numerous multi-sports stalwarts who have dominated their opponents in various sports. From Olympic arenas to cricket fields and basketball courts, numerous football players have proved their unmatched athletic stature over the decades.
In this article we will take a look at the top four football players who have also created a lasting impact and earned enormous fame in other sports.
Top 4 Football Players Who Excelled in Other Sports
Eric Cantona
The French former professional footballer, Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona, popularly referred to as “Eric Cantona”, is at the first spot in our list of the top four football players who have dominated other sports as well over the years, in addition to football. Well, mostly utilised as a deep-lying forward, Eric Cantona was also capable of playing as a centre-forward, as a dedicated striker, as an attacking midfielder, or as a central midfielder.
After announcing his official retirement from professional football in 1997 at the age of thirty, Eric Cantona, the Manchester United legend, captained and later managed the French national beach soccer team. Additionally, under Eric’s path-breaking leadership, France clinched the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2005.
Paolo Maldini
Next, at the second spot in our list of the top four football players who have also created a lasting impact and earned enormous fame in other sports, we have the Italian football executive and former professional footballer, Paolo Maldini, who played as a left-back or as a centre-back for AC Milan and the Italy national team. Often hailed as one of the greatest defenders of all time, Paolo Maldini holds the record for appearances in Serie A i.e. 647.
After announcing his retirement from professional football in 2009, the Italian football sensation tried his hands at professional tennis and made his ATP debut in a doubles match at the 2019 Aspria Tennis Cup in Milan, earning enormous fame and recognition. Although Paolo Maldini’s professional tennis career was quite brief, he undoubtedly created a mark for himself.
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Tim Wiese
The German former professional footballer, Tim Wiese, who played as a goalkeeper, is at the third spot in our list of the top four football players who have dominated other sports as well over the years, in addition to football. Throughout his professional football career, Tim Wiese made a total of 13 appearances for the German under-21 squad between 2003 and 2005 and officially announced his retirement from the game in 2014 after being a part of the German 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.
Shortly after parting ways with professional football, Tim Wiese signed an official contract with the WWE and made his in-ring debut in 2016 in a six-man tag team match. Well, Tim Wiese’s iconic transformation from being Bindesliga’s star to WWE’s wrestling sensation undoubtedly left his fans shocked.
Gareth Bale
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four football players who have also created a lasting impact and earned enormous fame in other sports, we have the Welsh former professional footballer, Gareth Bale, who played as a right-winger, most notably for Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, and the Wales national team.
Often popularly hailed as one of the greatest players of his generation and the greatest Welsh player of all time, Gareth Bale had a record total of 111 caps for the nation and scored 41 goals, making him Wales’ most capped player and top goalscorer of all time. Bale announced his retirement from football in 2023 and continued pursuing his passion of playing professional golf. As of May 2025, Gareth Bale has competed in several Pro-Am golf tournaments.
