Hollywood is known for its glitz and glamour, and it’s not uncommon for athletes to try their hand at acting. Footballers, with their charisma and on-field talent, often find themselves in the spotlight both on and off the pitch.
In this post, we will take a look at 10 footballers who have ventured into Hollywood and made a mark in the film industry.
1. David Beckham
David Beckham, the former English footballer, is not only known for his skills on the field but also for his cameo appearances in movies.
He made his acting debut in the film “Bend It Like Beckham” in 2002, playing himself. Beckham has also appeared in films such as “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” and “Goal! The Dream Begins.”
2. Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona, the former Manchester United player, is known for his enigmatic personality. After retiring from football, he pursued a career in acting.
Cantona has appeared in several French and English films, including “Elizabeth,” “Looking for Eric,” and “The Salvation.”
3. Vinnie Jones
Vinnie Jones, the former Welsh footballer turned actor, has had a successful career in Hollywood. Known for his tough guy image, Jones has appeared in movies such as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” “Snatch,” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.”
4. Pelé
Pelé, the legendary Brazilian footballer, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He also had a brief stint in Hollywood, appearing in the sports comedy film “Escape to Victory” alongside Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine.
5. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane, the former French footballer, is known for his elegance and skill on the pitch. He made his acting debut in the film “Goal II: Living the Dream” in 2007, playing himself. Zidane has also appeared in the documentary film “Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait.”
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese footballer, is not only a superstar on the field but also a global icon. He has made cameo appearances in movies such as “Love Actually” and “Striker Force 7,” an animated superhero series based on himself.
7. John Cena
John Cena, the professional wrestler turned actor, has also had a successful career in Hollywood. Before his wrestling days, Cena played college football, which led to his interest in acting. He has appeared in movies such as “Trainwreck,” “Bumblebee,” and “F9: The Fast Saga.”
8. Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr., the Brazilian footballer, is known for his skills on the field and his flamboyant personality. He made his acting debut in the film “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” in 2017, playing himself. Neymar Jr. has also appeared in the Netflix series “La Casa de Papel.”
9. Eric Djemba-Djemba
Eric Djemba-Djemba, the former Cameroonian footballer, had a short-lived career in football but found success in the film industry. He appeared in the movie “The Game of Their Lives” in 2005, which tells the story of the 1966 North Korean World Cup team.
10. Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian footballer, is known for his goal-scoring prowess. In addition to his football career, Lukaku has shown interest in acting. He made a cameo appearance in the film “Hustlers” in 2019, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
