Soccer Players Who Turned to Acting
Sports stars are now just as renowned as celebrities from other aspects of popular culture, and this is clearly evident in the number of athletes who have made cameos in movies. And while some are happy with a fleeting appearance, others, like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, have become more better known for their work on screen than off it.
While Johnson is known for his muscular physique that arguably makes him ideally suited for a career in front of the camera, things are more difficult for other athletes not known for their size and stature –– such as soccer players. Even so however, a handful of them have made the leap into film, either permanently changing their careers or enjoying cameo appearances.
Let’s look at those who have made the switch, starting with a bona fide star who left the pitch for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and has stayed there ever since.
Vinnie Jones
The former hardman of English soccer first shot to fame in the Guy Ritchie movie “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels” as Big Chris, and he transferred his sporting persona to the screen perfectly. Since then, he’s featured in “Gone in Sixty Seconds” alongside Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie and “Escape Plan” with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Meanwhile, on TV over the past few years, Jones has been seen in “Arrow,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” Needless to say, this career is a far cry from the muddy soccer pitches of the early ’90s in England! Still, the former Wales standout has embraced the opportunity to be a familiar face on TV and in movie theaters worldwide.
Neymar Jr.
The top TV show in the world of late has been “Money Heist” on Netflix, and if you didn’t know, one of the most famous current soccer players has a part. Indeed, the series that follows the story of ‘The Professor’ and his attempts to pull off the biggest heist in history features Neymar Jr. He took time out of his hectic fixture schedule in Europe, where he plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France, to film his part as Joao in season three of the show. It’s fitting for the Brazilian superstar to take on a challenging role of this nature given the he’s done the same in his career –– having picked Paris Saint-Germain. The club has never won a Champions League and is only fifth favorite for this season, according to the latest soccer betting odds at Coral. That means Neymar might have to stick to the small screen to enjoy any success (we kid, we kid) –– though if the appearance of the 29-year-old in “Money Heist” is anything to go by, he might just have found his second calling!
Eric Cantona
Cantona played soccer in the era of Vinnie Jones in the early ’90s over in England, and the Frenchman was known for his love of film. Hence, it came as no surprise that he would take to the screen at some point, even more so when his sports performances were already full of Gallic flair and, at times, explosive attitude. After an immensely successful career with Manchester United, he retired to take up his love of acting and starred in numerous movies in his home country. Cantona has also taken roles behind the camera, producing and directing several movies. In 2009 he played himself in the film “Looking For Eric,” which won awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival.
Pelé
Last but not least on our list is Pelé, the player who Medium calls the greatest of all time. The Brazilian was the star of soccer right from the start of his career as a teenager. He first won the World Cup with his country in 1958, and proceeded to spend his career breaking records and re-setting standards. Pelé also starred in “Victory,” the film that tells the story of a group of prisoners of war who agree to play an exhibition match against their captors, the Germans. They see the game as the perfect opportunity to plot their escape with all the soldiers off guard, but when they find out the game is all a propaganda stunt, they refuse to buckle and want to take on the Germans fair and square. Pelé plays the part of Luis Fernandez, and considering his track record in front of goal, you’ll have no trouble guessing where he stars in the film.
Considering these roles, it’s fair to say that famous soccer players have a little more clout in cinema than some might guess. If you haven’t seen these performances, go ahead and give them a look!
Garon Cockrell is the Founder and Editor of Pop Culture Beast and host of The Pop Culture Beast Show. He founded the site over seven years ago to have a place on the internet to write about the things he loved. Since then, Garon has become a best-selling author (Demonic and Other Tales), an award winning screenwriter (Best Screenplay 2013 Motor City Nightmares Film Festival), and a cast member on the top rated podcast, Never Not Funny.