ShareMany professional footballers develop a love for poker during their playing careers and some even transition into serious players after retirement. The competitive nature and mental challenges that poker provides is an appealing task för elite athletes who thrive under pressure. There are lots of stories of former footballers who have struggled to find their way after retirement. Here we take a look at some players which have made the transition from the pitch to the table.
Neymar Jr - The poker ambassador
Neymar Jr is one of the most passionate poker-playing footballers out there. The Brazilian superstar has frequently been seen at major poker events and even became an ambassador for PokerStars. Neymar has participated in World Series of Poker events and regularly plays poker online. He often shares his poker experiences at Twitch for example where he has over 2,5 million followers.
Most footballers turn to poker after retirement, but Neymar is an exception. Neymar has recently signed a contract for Santos FC and are in the middle of the qualification for World Cup 2026. Will we see him at the World Cup, or will he be at the poker tables? Turn to sites like Spelcash where free betting tips and news are being published daily for free.
Gerard Pique - The legendary defender
FC Barcelona is considered to be one of the best teams ever in the modern era, and Pique played his part for sure. The Spaniard has been busy after retirement which has been filled with a lot of criticism since he and his company took over the Davis Cup in tennis. Away from the world of sports he is a natural poker player!
Pique was participating in high-stakes tournaments while still playing for FC Barcelona. Pique has been a regular on the European Poker Tour and he actually even finished second in the €25,000 high roller event in Barcelona, winning over €350,000. His abilities to read opponents on the pitch seems to translate well to the poker table!
Teddy Sheringham - Strikes on the pitch and on the table
The former England international Teddy Sheringham is one of a few players who have taken poker more seriously than other footballers after retirement. Sheringham spent most of his playing career at Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United where he won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
After his retirement Sherringham turned to poker, and with great dedication. Sherringham has played at the World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour for example. One of his best results in live tournaments came in 2010 when he finished 5th in an European Tour in Portugal, earning over €93,000.
Why do footballers love poker?
Footballers love poker for a number of different reasons. The biggest reason may be the feeling of adrenaline that the game of poker provides. Many footballers have been talking about numbness after retirement, which has been highlighted by articles in the New York Times. The loss of the adrenaline rush that was provided for them week in and week out where thousands of people cheering them on, or booing them, have been found in the game of poker where that rush comes to play when the cards are shown.
Another reason why so many footballers love poker is because of its competitive nature. To be a professional footballer you need a strong mindset that never backs down from a challenge. Poker offers a new way to test their skills against opponents.
Retired footballers may also be in for a shock to the system when they go from training and hanging out with their team most hours of the day, to suddenly being alone. Poker gives footballers the social aspect which most footballers lose when they go into retirement.
Conclusion - Poker playing footballers
Poker has become a favorite pastime for many footballers after retirement. For some it has even turned into a serious pursuit after retirement. Whether playing casually or competing in high-stakes tournaments, these footballers bring the same determination as they did on the pitch. For sure we will see more footballers turn to poker in the upcoming years as its adrenaline rush is as close to stepping on to the pitch. How long will we have to wait before a former footballer wins a major title in poker?
