17 August 2023 , 06:30
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Footballers famously make millions thanks to their prowess on the pitch. But it's not just in sports that many of the beautiful game's biggest stars have excelled.
Being a top professional footballer is not a career that will last forever - players realise they'll need something to fall back on for after they retire or if an injury puts them out of the game. This is why many choose to diversify, studying for A-levels, degrees and professional qualifications that will guarantee them an income after their footballing days.
So we have taken a look at some of the examples of those footballers who have done incredibly well in their exams and have gone on to great things, not just on the pitch, but off it too.
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku can speak seven languages (Getty Images)First up on the list is the powerful Belgian striker. Not only is Lukaku a one-of-a-kind on the pitch, but off it, he is a multilingual wizz. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and French. It is also thought he is pretty good with German and Swahili.
On top of all that he holds a degree in Public Relations and Tourism, so if you stay in a hotel in the future look out for Lukaku - he might just be running things.
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Leah Williamson
Leah Williamson has made sure she's got a plan B (Getty Images)Leah led the Lionesses to victory at the Euros last summer - and she's also a whizz off the pitch. The Arsenal centre-back joined the Arsenal Ladies Centre of Excellence in 2006 and the club went professional the year she finished sixth form.
Leah is completing a part-time course in accountancy through the Football Association in preparation for life after her playing days. "You should dedicate your life to football – I have to, I'm an athlete – but it shouldn't be everything, the be-all and end-all," she once told City AM.
"So I do it to keep some sort of balance, always doing something outside of football. But also I'm under no illusions that I'm not going to be able to retire at the end of my career and be fine for the rest of my life. I will have to work again and maybe that's where I have come in [to the sport] just a little too early, in terms of hopefully one day these girls will earn enough that they are set for life.
"If a boy signs for an academy aged 16 he is generally set for life. It's a massive contrast in our game and I'm aware of that. It's ridiculous to think that once your career finishes you are going to be fine and set."
Andrey Arshavin
Andrey Arshavin has a strong business brainThe former Arsenal and Zenit St Petersburg winger now acts as an advisor for the youth teams at Zenit, but it is more than just football he can advise on as Arshavin has a background in fashion. He studied for a clothing technology degree at St Petersburg State University of Technology and Design at the tender age of just 17. Arshavin even owns his own clothing brand in his homeland so if you need any fashion tips and happen to be in Russia, look out for Arshavin.
Beth England
When she isn't playing football, Lioness Beth England has been studying family law. The Chelsea striker studied part time after winning a scholarship to the private BPP University when she played for Doncaster Belles.
Beth England is a legal eagle (Getty Images)Before that, teenage Beth completed a 12-week pathway course to a higher education certificate in legal studies at a college - and commuted to London from her home in Barnsley. She explained: "I started studying social work, but it wasn't for me. I've always been interested in law – I used to watch CSI, Criminal Minds and Law & Order with my mum! But I'm really interested in the family side of things and I would eventually like to work in family law.
"I never thought football would be a full-time job, so I always knew education would have to come into it. After football you need to make sure you have something set up, ready for that transition."
Simon Mignolet
Simon Mignolet has a degree in Law and Political Science (Getty Images)The Belgian shot-stopper has had quite the career both for Liverpool and now back in his homeland for Club Brugge, but off the pitch Mignolet is quite the genius. When he retires, the keeper will have plenty of options to fall back on as he runs a coffee shop back home or he could lean on his degree in Law and Political Science. The future looks bright for the international keeper.
Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique has a master's degree from Harvard (Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)Despite being one of the best defenders in the world, Barcelona native Gerard Pique has blazed through his education and has even managed to gain a Master's degree in Business from Harvard University in USA. The former husband of Colombian pop star Shakira, Pique has a family history of success in business as his grandfather was even on the board of Barcelona FC. There is no saying where Pique could end up as he has absolutely smashed his way through education and football.
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Juan Mata
Juan Mata has not one, but two degrees (Sky Sports)The next Spaniard on the list is former Spain international and Manchester United regular Juan Mata who could have a life as a journalist if he decides to leave football behind. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from Universidad Politecnica e Madrid. However, even if that didn't work out, Mata worked toward a second degree in Finance while playing at Old Trafford so he has quite the choice if the football world is no longer for him.
Mary Earps
Mary Earps did an extra year at school to pursue her educational dreams (Getty Images)England goalkeeper Mary Earps is one of the best at keeping out goals, but she's been achieving her goals off the pitch. While playing for a number of clubs such as Birmingham, Bristol City and Reading, Earps was completing a degree in Information Management and Business Studies at Loughborough.
Earps did an extra year at school to make sure she could meet the entry grades and came out the other side with a 2:1. Posting a graduation snap on Instagram, she wrote: "From the moment I first stepped onto the Loughborough University grounds about ten years ago, there was only ever one university that I was interested in going to - more than that, it instantly became an immensely important and personal ambition that I was determined to achieve; a life goal.
"I did an extra year at school to make sure that I met the required entry grades, and though I always advocate doing your research before making an important decision, it was the only university open day that I attended. There was something about Loughborough.
"Today I graduated from one of the top universities in the country, the university that I've always dreamed of attending, with a 2:1 degree in Business... and it's safe to say that the stress, sweat, tears and sleep deprivation were all worth it. Thank you for a challenging and unforgettable four years."
Clarke Carlisle
Clarke Carlise scored 10 A-grade GCSEs (Corbis via Getty Images)Back in 2002, Carlisle was named Britain's Brainiest Footballer as he has gained a degree in Sports writing and Broadcasting from Staffordshire University and also does a lot of campaign work for charities. He achieved 10 grade A's at GCSE and studied A-levels in maths and politics while out injured. This has made for quite the packed CV for the man who has also been on TV favourites Question Time and Countdown.
Duncan Watmore
Duncan Watmore studied for a degree while playing (Ian Horrocks)The Sunderland midfielder is one of the only Premier League footballers to have graduated with a First Class degree as he completed his Economics and Business Management degree at Newcastle University. He managed to complete all those essays and catch up on lectures at the same time as fighting for a spot in the first team.
Socrates
Socrates became a doctor after retiring from football (Bob Thomas Sports Photography)As one of Brazil's most famous and successful ever captains, Socrates was no slouch on the pitch but off it as well as he obtained a degree in medicine and was a practising doctor after he retired. The late legend who won two world cups also was a writer and journalist in his home country as he wrote columns about politics and economics for the newspapers.