Football legends giving us major fitness goals

Inter Miami CF Media Availability & Training Session
Inter Miami CF Media Availability & Training Session

People often feel that the life of a retired football legend is easy. It is tempting to think that the consistent adulation of fans and fat paychecks might be enough to take a stretch and enjoy life away from public scrutiny.

However, that is not true. These football legends often make public appearances with charities, or as club ambassadors. The public criticism that Brazilian Ronaldo and Diego Maradona received for their physical appearance post-retirement was quite scathing.

However, there are still many football legends who have maintained the determination and drive of their playing days, and keep giving us major fitness goals.

5. David Beckham

David Beckham is not just a Manchester United great, but a football legend in the truest sense. In an illustrious career which also included stints with Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and PSG, he won 13 major trophies. A stylish player both on and off the pitch, Beckham was one of the most recognizable faces of football during his playing days.

Even after his retirement, Beckham has continued to maintain the style and personality that wowed many during his playing days. He has also been involved in ambitious projects, most notably the franchise Inter Miami, which made its debut in the MLS last season. His fitness levels were appreciated by fans on social media as they jokingly requested him to come out of retirement after a testimonial match at Old Trafford.

4. Clarence Seedorf

Often regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, Seedorf is a decorated football legend in a well-travelled career with Ajax, Sampdoria, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Botafogo. He is the only player to have won 4 Champions League titles with 3 different teams, being a vital member of his teams that went on to be crowned Champions of Europe.

It was his dedication and hard work which allowed him to play at the highest level till the age of 37. Since retiring, he has taken on temporary coaching roles at AC Milan, Shenzhen, Deportivo La Coruna and Cameroon's national team. But instead of sitting back and enjoying the retirement phase, he continues to display that same drive in the gym that he showed on the ground. He indeed looks fitter than most of the current players.

3. Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand is one of the finest ball-playing center backs and has established his football legend status with Manchester United. He was the defensive bedrock in a partnership with Nemanja Vidic for Manchester United as they continued to dominate the opposition, winning titles year-after-year. Manchester United broke the world transfer record (£30m) to sign him from Leeds United in 2002. He won 6 Premier League titles with them, establishing his status as a football legend.

Ferdinand even started training for boxing and announced his intention to become a professional boxer in 2017, before ultimately abandoning the idea. However, his extreme workout sessions at the age of 42 show the kind of determination he possesses. Ferdinand is now enjoying his retirement as a football pundit for BT Sport, and his love for Manchester United often reflects in the way he passionately vouches for them.

2. Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres started his professional career at Atletico Madrid back when they were not the powerhouse they are now under Diego Simeone. It was at Liverpool, however, where he showed his phenomenal talent and became one of the most prolific scorers in the Premier League. He never recovered the same sort of form in his league career that took him to Chelsea, AC Milan and back to Atletico Madrid. However, he established his football legend status with the all-conquering Spanish football team that won two Euros and 1 World Cup between 2008 and 2012.

He ended his playing career in 2019 after a quiet couple of seasons in the J- League with Sagan Tosu and was most recently seen with the Atletico Madrid B side in a coaching role.

1.Ze Roberto

Ze Roberto is a football legend for hardcore Bundesliga fans. In an illustrious career, he played for Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Hamburg SV, along with Real Madrid and a few Brazilian clubs. He was an integral member of the Bayer Leverkusen team which reached the Champions League final in 2002. He won both the La Liga and Champions League with Real Madrid, and went on to win 4 Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.

A retired football legend, he is a technical advisor to Brazilian club Palmeiras. He recently created a social media storm by joking he would prove to be even fitter than Cristiano Ronaldo. It is truly commendable to see Ze Roberto maintaining such high fitness standards at 46 years of age.

Quick Links

Edited by Prem Deshpande