6 Footballers who retired early to pursue other interests
Football is the most famous sport on this planet. Anyone who gets a chance to play it on an international level is considered fortunate. It brings money, fame, and adulation on a massive scale.
There have been numerous football players who have played for their country and clubs for several years. However, there have been a few players who did not pursue their international football career due to certain reasons.
We look six such players who retired early to pursue other interests.
#6 Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata was a Japanese footballer who played as a midfielder for Bolton Wanderers before he retired in 2006. He was a superb player with excellent dribbling and passing skills. Pele included him in 'FIFA 100' list of the top living footballers in 2004. They consider him to be the greatest Japanese player of all time.
Nakata announced his retirement in 2006 after the final match of Japan against Croatia in the World Cup. “I decided half a year ago that I would retire from the world of professional football,” Nakata wrote in his farewell letter. He started working as a model and an ambassador for various social causes. He now runs a sake company.
#5 David Bentley
David Bentley was an English player who played as a winger for Arsenal and other English clubs. He was fast and accurate with his right foot which made him a decent striker of the ball. At 29, he retired from the game citing loss of passion for the game. He felt the game had become robotic and calculated.
Bentley moved to Spain with his family where he opened a restaurant. He has investments in beach resorts and restaurants in London and other places.