THEY’RE football’s smartest men.
For years footballers have had their intelligence questioned, but that’s just not the case with this lot.
Sure, many players neglect their studies to concentrate on making it in the professional game, and that’s fine.
But some like to use their brains further in getting degrees that could help them in life after football.
Take Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori – on loan at AC Milan – for example, who has talked about studying for a business management diploma, while on England duty.
“Football won’t go on for ever,” he wisely said in a press conference.
“When I retire or, God forbid, I get an injury, then I have something I’m working towards that can stand me in good stead for the future.”
And he’s not the only one who has thought about a life after football.
Join SunSport in introducing you the brain-boxes of the beautiful game.
JUAN MATA
Not only is he an all-round nice guy doing tons for charity, he’s also super smart.
The Man United man studied journalism at Universidad Politecnica e Madrid.
And during his time at Old Trafford, dancing down the wing, he’s managed to complete a sports science and finance degree too.
Not many in the game can lay claim to two degrees.
ANDREY ARSHAVIN
If it wasn’t football, it would’ve been fashion for Arshavin.
The mercurial Russian playmaker graduated from the St Petersburg State University of Technology and Design.
He studied clothing technology, and has put that talent to use by launching his own clothing range in Russia.
SIMON MIGNOLET
He’s not just a talented keeper, you know.
The Belgium shot-stopper has a coffee shop in his native country, so he’ll always have that to fall back on when his career ends.
But should he want to, Mignolet could lean on his degree in law and political sciences for a career change.
FRANK LAMPARD
Super Frank excelled at Derby, and did a credible job as Chelsea boss before the axe.
But that should be child’s play for the Blues’ all-time leading goalscorer.
After all, the England legend reportedly scored over 150 in an IQ test with Mensa.
That result meant that Lamps is among the most intelligent 0.1 percent of the world’s population.
GIORGIO CHIELLINI
The tough-tackling Juventus centre half isn’t as much of a brute as you’d think.
Chiellini was a whizz at high-school, passing all his exams with ease.
He later went to the prestigious University of Turin where he graduated with a business economics degree, just like Tomori is studying for.
Must be something about uncompromising defenders.
GLENN JOHNSON
The former Stoke City right-back has commanded high-numbered transfer fees during his time, so it’s lucky he’s not numerically challenged.
In fact, Johnson is so good with digits he enrolled at The Open University to do a degree in Maths.
He can start negotiating his own contracts, surely?
CLARKE CARLISLE
Dubbed Britain’s most intelligent footballer, Clarke has the right CV to back that up.
He was a contestant on Countdown, and was also the first player to appear on Question Time.
Clarke has a degree in sports writing and broadcasting from Staffordshire University.
ROMELU LUKAKU
Inter’s striker isn’t just your average footballer.
The skilled forward is also a natural linguist, speaking as many as five languages including English, Spanish, Dutch, French and Portuguese.
Lukaku is also said to understand German and Swahili, as well as hold a degree in tourism and public relations.
EDWIN VAN DER SAAR
Another ex-Man United man with a great brain – no wonder they’re so successful.
When the Red Devils Dutch keeper retired he studied for a masters degree in sports and brand management at the Johan Cruyff Institute.
After becoming a marketing director at the Dutch giants, he’s now their CEO and has been linked with a move to Manchester United to become their director.
SOCRATES
Recognised for his headband and beard on the football pitch, the late Socrates was one of Brazil’s favourite sons.
He held a bachelors degree in medicine from the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto while he was still playing.
Socrates also wrote columns for Brazilian newspapers on everything from sport to politics to economics.
DUNCAN WATMORE
The Middlesbrough footballer became only the second player in the Premier League ever to graduate with a first.
Midfielder Duncan studied economics and business management, which he finished at Newcastle University.
He juggled breaking into the first team with catching up with lectures in the evening while poring over textbooks.
OLIVER BIERHOFF
The former German centre forward, who famously scored the first golden goal of football at Wembley, is a smart man.
Not only is he revered by his home nation for scoring 37 international goals, he’s championed for having a economics degree.
Economics is a degree that runs in football, with former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also having a diploma in economics.
It just goes to show, footballers are much smarter than you think.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
