Soccer players are widely held in the highest regard among athletes. They fall in love again after spending precious time together on the soccer pitch. You will become wealthy and famous, gaining the admiration and respect of all who hear your story. After retirement, however, this is not always the case. Some of the most famous former athletes who are generally believed to have been among the most successful are:
10. Gianfranco Zola
Since leaving active management, Zola has ignited a flourishing career. He led the Italian U-21 team as coach from 2006 to 2008. He became West Ham United’s manager in 2008 but was fired after the 2009–2010 campaign. Zola signed a two-year contract with Watford after that. He is currently the seventh most successful former soccer player. Zola is considered one of the most successful athletes after retirement.
9. Gerd Muller
German soccer legend who retired Muller was the best striker the Germans had produced. After retiring, he started drinking too much, but he went to treatment and is now sober.
Since then, he has been Bayern Munich’s head coach. In addition, Muller is an avid collector of Adidas gear. As a bonus, he is considered one of the best goal-scorers in Bundesliga history.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
He won another Serie A title with AC Milan last season, more than a decade after winning the first one for the club.
He had previously won it with Inter Milan and Juventus, making it his seventh overall Serie A title.
Over the course of his career, which has spanned more than two decades and included stints with Ajax, Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy, the Swede has won 34 trophies in all.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed a one-year extension with Milan in July 2022, staying for the following season.
7. Andres Iniesta
After a long and successful career with Barcelona, Andres Iniesta signed with Vissel Kobe in Japan in 2018.
Andres Iniesta established himself as one of the greatest soccer players of all time during his active playing years.
The midfielder extended his contract with Vissel Kobe until 2023 in May 2021. It could be his final contract as a player.
6. David Silva
David Silva was one of the best midfielders of his generation and played for Manchester City for most of his career.
He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups while playing for the English club.
In 2020, he joined Real Sociedad, a club in Spain, and soon after, he helped them win the Copa del Rey.
This could be David Silva’s last football season.
5. Juan Mata
Juan Mata won the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup at Chelsea, where he was at his peak.
Mata was sold to Manchester United for £37.1 million in January 2014 after losing favor at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho.
Over the course of his nine seasons at United, he made 285 appearances and won the Community Shield, League Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League.
He signed a one-year deal with Galatasaray in the summer of 2022 after his contract with United expired.
4. Dani Alves
Dani Alves is widely regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks of all time. He is also one of the football players with the most awards, with 47 official titles.
The majority of his career was spent with European giants: PSG, Sevilla, Barcelona, and Juventus
Alves signed a one-year contract with UNAM, a Mexican club, on July 23, 2022.
3. Willy Caballero
Willy Caballero, 41, spent the majority of his career playing for Elche and Málaga in Spain.
He joined Manchester City in 2014 and helped them win the League Cup in 2016.
The Argentine signed for Chelsea in 2017, where he played as a backup goalkeeper for four seasons and helped the club win the FA Cup, Champions League, and Europa League.
In 2018, Caballero made his Argentina senior debut.
He was a non-playing member of the team that won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and represented his country at the 2018 World Cup.
2. Ashley Young
Ashley Young returned to Aston Villa in 2021 after playing for Watford, Manchester United, and Inter Milan.
Re-signed for a second season until 2023 after his contract expired in June 2022.
Although Ashley is one of the Premier League’s oldest players and is still very active, he may retire in 2023.
1. Diego Godin
Diego Godin played for top teams like Inter Milan, Villareal, and Atletico Madrid. He won 8 prizes with Athletico, including the La Liga title in 2013/14.
In 2022, he signed for the Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro after leaving Cagliari.
Godin left them in June 2022 to join the Argentine club Vélez Sarsfield. He may decide to walk away from his contract in 2023.