5 famous footballers who went broke after retirement

#4 Emmanuel Eboue

Emmanuel Eboue has gone from ‘riches-to-rag’

Former Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboue’s story is one that typifies a real ‘riches-to-rag’ cliché. The ex-Arsenal right-back was a cult hero at the Emirates between 2004 and 2011, before departing to join Galatasaray in the Turkish Superlig.

He, however, retired two years ago due to consistent problems with his health. This came after he had earlier been a handed a one-year ban from football for failing to pay a former agent.

Last year, Eboue lost all his possessions after a messy divorce led to all his properties being awarded to his ex-wife Aurelie. The situation was so bad that the right-back said he considered committing suicide.

“I can’t afford the money to continue to have any lawyer or barrister. I am in the house but I am scared. Because I don’t know what time the police will come. Sometimes I shut off the lights because I don’t want people to know that I am inside. I put everything behind the door.

"My own house. I suffered to buy my house but I am now scared. I am not going to sell my clothes or sell what I have. I will fight until the end because it is not fair.”