All people who earn a living work either on salary or open a business, to get a source of income.
However, not everyone among us likes what we do. But we know that because there is a need, we resist doing it even if what we do is not what we dream of. The same goes for some football players.
There are those who see football only as a job that they are able to do well so that reaching the highest level can be achieved in their careers. A sense of love, affection and love for the sport? Not necessarily there.
1. Christian Vieri
The name Christian Vieri was one of the feared names at the end of the 90’s era in Italy. Playing as a striker for the Lazio club and also the Italian national team, his love for sport is not actually football – instead he is more interested in cricket.
Although born in Italy, Vieri followed her family moving to Australia. During his school days, he spent more time playing cricket.
His interest in the sport was driven during that time, so much so that his favorite sports athlete was not a footballer but Allan Border, the legendary Australian cricket player.
While still playing for Inter Milan in Italy, Vieri surprised everyone after claiming he was willing to change his football career to play cricket professionally if a contract was offered.
After retiring, Vieri is said to still spend at least 3 hours a day, watching classic cricket matches on television.
2. Gareth Bale
A world-class player who has won the Spanish League championship, the European League Cup several times, became the backbone of the national team and led his country to qualify for the World Cup must be someone who loves football, right? No.
Gareth Bale is more interested in golf. This difference is said to be one of the main reasons why his relationship with other players in the Real Madrid team is strained. Unlike his peers, Bale sees football only as work and refuses to ‘touch it’ after all the football affairs are done.
However, his responsibility as the main driver of the Welsh national team remains one of the tasks that Bale takes seriously – where Wales finally qualified to compete in the finals of the World Cup that will take place in 2022 after the last qualifying in 1958.
Joining West Byfleet Golf Club located in Surrey, England – Bale’s handicap rate is currently between 4 to 6, placing him among the best amateurs in the world but not yet good enough to compete with professional-level players.
3. Benoît Assou-Ekotto
A defender who made a name for himself in the English Premier League with the Tottenham Hotspurs club, Benoit Assou-Ekotto created controversy after stating that everything he did in football was just to earn money.
His decision to move to England drew criticism from the old club president, who described Assou-Ekkotto as doing so only for the sake of higher salaries. Assou-Ekotto’s reaction after hearing the condemnation; “show me which player moved not because of a better salary?”
Following such a view, Assou-Ekotto’s life outside the football field is also different. He does not socialize with his teammates, does not believe there is a need for him to be friends with his teammates.
Eligible to play with the Cameroon national team from 2009 to 2015 and hold 24 international caps, Assou-Ekotto admitted he had no interest in football and only did so because he refused to work for a salary in an office.
But he did the work of his choice diligently until he qualified for the top tier, all for money alone.
4. Dani Osvaldo
A player known for his strength as well as disciplinary problems on and off the field, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo’s career came to an end after he chose to retire in 2016, following his fight with Argentine club coach Boca Juniors – after Osvaldo was caught smoking.
A few months out of the club, Osvaldo finally ended his footballing career that took him from Argentina to Spain, Italy with Roma, Inter Milan and Juventus and a season with Southampton in England. During the same period, he made 14 appearances with the Italian national team scoring 4 goals.
He retired early at the age of 30 to play music, his main passion although he had a pretty good record as a striker scoring 99 goals in 320 games. But his record in fighting with teammates, coaches and club management is also quite ‘good.’
Now fully focused as the lead vocalist of his band in Barcelona, Spain, the band has already released their debut album in 2017 and is actively performing throughout Spain.
5. Gabriel Batistuta
It’s strange to talk about a legendary, talented and iconic striker like Gabriel Batistuta – and know he’s not really into football. He sees football as a job and he as a professional will do the best in his career.
Even so the record and statistics are quite impressive. As a key striker to clubs in Argentina and Italy where he made a name for himself, Batistuta has a scoring record of 296 goals from 551 appearances. For the Argentine national team, his record is even better – 56 goals in 78 games.
He, who initially tried to play basketball due to his height, happily participated in a football test witnessed by the legendary Argentine coach, Marcelo Bielsa. After attracting the interest of those present, his career in football began to be honed.
Batistuta’s true love in sports is more directed towards equestrian polo, because the hobby of riding has been nurtured in him since childhood. He started playing the sport and eventually became something serious in his career.