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When you dig into the lives of professional athletes, especially football players, you get to know some of the most bizarre and unexpected facts that they have carried throughout their lives. While some may think that they just left their respected youth academies and joined a football team, it is nowhere even close to the reality, as it is extremely hard to survive in this world.
To be specific enough, there have been some of these world-class football personalities, who were working way before they even stepped foot in this particular sport. A lesser-known fact is that the jobs they had to work in order to make them pennies weren't what we'd think these legends did in order to make a living.
We have already discussed the likes of Mathieu Flamini and Steven Gerrard, who have used their money to kick-start their entrepreneurial careers, but these 5 football faces have done something way more different by working jobs outside of the sport.
#5 Jamie Vardy - Factory worker
The English striker has had one heck of a journey since the past 2-3 seasons, as his team did something that they weren't expected to do: winning the Premier League with flying colors. Jamie Vardy, though, played a very important role in laying the foundation of Leicester's future in the 2015/16 season. From the time when the Foxes faced relegation to the time when Vardy almost won the Golden Boot, it was the most unbelievable season of his career.
A lesser-known fact, though, is that the English International used to work as a factory technician making prosthetic splints for people who had feet problems, a strange profession for a football player.
#4 Thomas Gravesen - Poker Player
Gravesen single-handedly revolutionized Everton's play style in the early 2000s, and is one of the most prolific players in the Toffees' history, with over 200 appearances.
The Danish Destroyer, as everyone called him had a splendid career in the Premier League, but after he was transferred to Real Madrid in 2005, his career was cut short by the lack of opportunities, injuries, and controversies, forcing him to change a number of clubs up until his early retirement in 2008.
Gravesen, though, made a lot of his money by playing a card game that most of us are familiar with. His poker skills have given the football fans something to think about, as he now flips and folds the cards in Las Vegas, and has played for several big promotions. None can deny that a box to box midfielder can go on and become a poker junkie!
#3 Eric Cantona - Actor
One of the most controversial faces in the history of the sport, Cantona's passion for football left him when he was only 30 years old. A prolific striker of his generation, Sir Alex Ferguson's bargain was struck well as Cantona became one of the most important footballers in Premier League history and also in the history of Manchester United.
Post-retirement, though, Eric Cantona did something totally different, something that an athlete would totally expect: become a world-class potential actor.
The Frenchmen didn't quite struggle with his acting, as with over 50 movies in his pockets, Cantona continues to perform in both French and Hollywood movies. His early retirement did quite leave us all wondering as to what the French striker would be doing to make a living, but this is what he really did to establish himself in the world of entertainment.
#2 Peter Schmeichel - cleaner
Often considered by many as one of the greatest Danish goalkeepers ever to step foot in the Premier League, Peter Schmeichel captained the Manchester United squad in 1999 and led them to their victory against Bayern Munich, winning the Champions League and the treble of the season.
With over 300 appearances for the Red Devils and 13 major trophies, Schmeichel is one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the history of the sport.
A lesser-known fact is that the Danish goalkeeper has done an array of jobs, right from being a salesman to flooring and advertising certain products.
But most importantly, he did something completely unexpected during his early days, and that is cleaning an old person's house for 12 straight months. That is right, 12 months cleaning the entire house. Who knew that this person would actually become one of the most important goalkeepers in football's history?
#1 Jose Mourinho - PE Teacher
The self-proclaimed 'special one' is often considered as one of the most decorated managers of the modern era, right from winning the Champions League to multiple Premier League titles. His tenure at Manchester United isn't something that he could brag about, but that does not shy away from the fact that Mourinho has the ability to change a team's future.
The Portuguese manager has had a lot of struggles before becoming a world-class manager, and that includes working as assistant and scouts for various top-level coaches like Louis Van Gaal and Bobby Robson.
But little did everybody know, Mourinho worked as a PE teacher for disabled children for almost 5 years after pursuing Sports Sciences before stepping foot in the world of football. This is quite an unexpected prowess for the head coach of Manchester United, but the facts cannot actually be changed!
