Footballers Who Were Superstars Beyond Being Just Footballers

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(Think my title might not be adequate, struggling a bit, can't quite word it right, but you'll know what I mean, simply footballers whose sum was greater than their footballing parts, and for better or worse)

First: Maradona. 

Larger than life character, was a national hero in Argentina, rags to riches career, basically ran Napoli football club for a few seasons, world wide superstar. Greatest ever character (for better or worse) in football. 

Second: Cantona

Controverial, artistic, arrogant his own man, culturally sound, stood apart from every team he played for, yet justified himself on and off the park. 

Third: Beckham

Difficult choice, but was boy hero, saviour of the the England team, married a Spice girl, was public enemy number one for a period when he was sent off in World Cup, national hero when he scored a penalty (against Argentina), media luvvy,. 

Others: Baggio (zen buddhist, national hero), Pele (the original football great in the media age), Puskas (football legend). And Messi and Ronaldo (rivalry and sheer brilliance on the media focused modern football stage) 

 

 

 

 

[LV 568]

George Best 

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4 minutes ago, LV said:

George Best 

Losing my touch, of course,shagged two Miss Worlds, a man of ultimate charm and magnificent quotes, and footballing brilliance, and the most durable liver of any sportsman.

[the sliver fox 1,660]

Bob Malcolm, and of course, Zlatan.

[Bigsasasfloppyhair 13,310]

Salim Salim Salim Kerkar

So good he had 3 first names.

[Ayrblue1 2,042]

Gazza

[stuart1994 4,302]

George Weah, became president of Liberia. 

[the sliver fox 1,660]

Jean Marc Bosman, name will forever live on in the game.

[They Gnu 11,553]

Baxter

[McEwan's Lager 30,522]

Pelé. His Cosmos stint turned him into a celebrity well beyond football.

[McEwan's Lager 30,522]

Also,

[barrymorrison1 1,033]

Stanley Mathews.

Bobby Moore

Zenidene Z idane.

Kenny Dalglish. 
every one an icon for different reasons, not just as a footballer. 

[ForeverAndEver 71,471]

11 minutes ago, barrymorrison1 said:

Stanley Mathews.

Bobby Moore

Zenidene Z idane.

Kenny Dalglish. 
every one an icon for different reasons, not just as a footballer. 

Dalglish sucks Tarrier dick

[RangersMedia 35,961]

Vinnie Jones

Although now he advertise Ssangyong cars in TV, so fair to say any star has faded.

[1690tamRFC 5,001]

On 18/03/2020 at 23:05, LV said:

George Best 

Can’t believe he’s not the subject of the op after opening it ha ha 

[Jimfanciesthedude 24,540]

On 19/03/2020 at 15:31, the sliver fox said:

Jean Marc Bosman, name will forever live on in the game.

Possibly not for a good thing 

[Negri's lovechild 13,988]

On 20/03/2020 at 09:36, Badger said:

Vinnie Jones

Although now he advertise Ssangyong cars in TV, so fair to say any star has faded.

Probably the most (for me anyway) unexpected career change for a footballer i've seen. Would never have thought he would appear in so many big budget movies.

[Blueshoff 11,799]

Ian Black footballer, painter and decorator, superstar. 

[Blueshoff 11,799]

On 19/03/2020 at 16:47, McEwan's Lager said:

Pelé. His Cosmos stint turned him into a celebrity well beyond football.

And his cure for erectile dysfunction 

[don logan 8,062]

Gordon Ramsay. Rangers legend and uber chef.

[Blumhoilann 6,712]

The whole L'pool team selling razors and phoo phoo stray 😉

 

[miracle 7,790]

Mario Balotelli is a household name, more for his off-field antics than his former footballing prowess.  Hard to believe he's still only 29.

[TMB 14,167]

Gordon Ramsey.

[southcoastbear 1,639]

On 19/03/2020 at 14:03, stuart1994 said:

George Weah, became president of Liberia. 

Ali Dia,  did he no convince Souness he was Weah's cousin,  never a footballer mind you .

[MurrayWilson 3,381]

Beckham. A great player but never at any time in his career close to being the best in the world, but he was by far the most famous.