Football is one of the most lucrative professions anyone can pursue, especially when you get to the level of winning the World Cup and making the Ballon d’Or top 20.
Yet a remarkable number of talented footballers have run into financial troubles after hanging up their boots. Some of the bigger names to have declared bankruptcy include Brazil icon Ronaldinho and Manchester United great George Best.
Both men’s issues were well-documented publicly due to their stardom. One man whose financial plight went somewhat under the radar was Ronaldinho’s 2002 World Cup teammate Cafu.
From the World Cup With Brazil to Bankruptcy
The right-back earned millions during his career, playing for the likes of AS Roma and AC Milan. After all, he did win Serie A twice and the 2006-07 Champions League. Not to mention two World Cup titles with his country.
He was 24 years old when he first got his hands on world football’s biggest trophies, and went on to wear the captain’s armband eight years later. That year, he finished a career-high 15th in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Cafu goes down as one of the greatest full-backs the sport has ever seen.
But he ran into money troubles in 2019, according to Spanish publication AS. After finally calling time on his glittering career, Cafu and his wife set up an agency called Capi-Penta International Player, which represented players.
Mounting debts and poor investments eventually destroyed their finances. In 2019, five properties belonging to the family were seized, while 15 assets were frozen temporarily. The Brazil legend, one of the nation’s greatest-ever players, then declared bankruptcy.
In the years since, Cafu has managed to stabilise his money troubles and has settled the majority of his outstanding debts.
Ronaldinho
Cafu’s Brazil teammate Ronaldinho not only faced money problems, but even ended up spending time in jail. Despite being estimated to have made over $130 million during his playing days, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner refused to pay a $2 million fine imposed by the Brazilian courts, leading to serious financial difficulties after gradually losing the majority of his earnings over time. As a result, 57 of his properties and several luxury vehicles were seized by authorities.
George Best
George Best is one of Man Utd’s greatest-ever players. The Northern Irishman won the Ballon d’Or and lit up every game he took part in. But his personal life was very much in the public eye.
His lavish lifestyle didn’t help his bank account, and Best sadly died in 2005, while £450,000 in debt. He owed money to the hospital he passed away in and a further £100,000 on an outstanding mortgage for his apartment, according to Manchester Evening News.
John Barnes
Liverpool and England icon John Barnes is one of the most popular footballers of his generation. His move to Anfield in 1987 saw the winger become the league’s highest-paid player, earning £10,000-per-week. Barnes blamed misplaced trust in others for the £1.5 million bills he racked up. The 62-year-old has repaid £61,000, explaining:
“Like a lot of elite sportspeople, I got burned because I trusted people, I got caught out a couple of times and ended up losing between £1m and £1.5m over four years. In 2017, I began talking to HMRC about what I could do to repay what I owed.”
Wes Brown
Wes Brown is another England icon who’s fallen on hard times after his career, going bankrupt in 2023. Despite earning 50,000-per-week at the peak of his Man United career, the defender had several financial issues off the pitch.
His divorce came with a six-figure bill, while Brown also made poor property investment choices. This included an overpriced farm he bought for £6-7million, which remains unsold.
