Football stars who have retired or are still active can always offer a bit of drama regardless of the type of movie role.
Over the years, some famous players from the “beautiful game” have switched between playing and acting professions.
The newest football player to say he plans to pursue acting after hanging up his boots is Jesse Lingard.
The former Manchester United player discussed his goals on the podcast Diary of a CEO.
“But I need to take drama classes — I’ve not done that yet,” Lingard said after revealing shock career change.
“I just love films. I’ve always been a big film lover.”
“And to be involved in a film or a series would be amazing.”
“I need to really home in on the drama side of things — I’m really bad with lines to be honest.”
He went on to say: “I think I’ll start in comedy first.”
Lingard, 30, would be continuing the legacy of these well-known figures.
Below is Futballnews‘ list of some of the well-known athletes who had appeared in films:
Pele
It was not surprising that Pele made an appearance in Hollywood given his reputation as the best football player on the planet in the 1960s and 1970s.
In the iconic film Escape to Victory, which also starred Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone, the late Pele portrayed Corporal Luis Fernandez, a captured POW during World War II.
Football players Bobby Moore and Ossie Ardiles, who are famously put against a German squad in an exhibition match for their freedom, were among those featured in the 1981 film.
Ronaldo
When you make an appearance on The Simpsons, you have achieved success in life.
Ronaldo, a 46-year-old legend of Brazil, portrayed himself in a 2007 episode of the popular American cartoon.
He voiced himself in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and even Dutch, which is incredible.
Funny enough, he shows up at Lisa’s football game and calls her “a flopper” when she concedes too easily after a tough challenge.
David Beckham
It’s no surprise that 47-year-old Beckham succeeded in the movies given his movie star looks.
He was a projectionist in Pal Guy Ritchie’s 2014 film The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and played Trigger in his 2017 film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
He co-starred in the latter film with Charlie Hunnam.
On set, Hunnam said to Becks: “I said ‘listen pal, this is my movie and I want to be the most handsome man on screen!”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan is the ultimate action hero if there ever was one.
Of course, he portrays a Roman centurion and gets to display his martial prowess in a battle sequence, tossing up a helmet with his boots before striking a villain with a crushing uppercut and knocking him to the ground.
An Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard was part of the cast which demonstrated Zlatan’s superb company.
Eric Cantona
Cantona, a 56-year-old Man Utd great, was another 90s footballer to develop an acting talent.
At the age of 30, he unexpectedly retired in order to pursue his passion.
In Elizabeth, the Frenchman co-starred with Cate Blanchett in his first Hollywood role as an ambassador from, predictably, France.
He continued to appear in several French films, but it was his leading role in the independent film Looking for Eric that first revealed his sense of humor.
Frank Leboeuf
In the Oscar-nominated film The Theory of Everything, which is based on the life of Stephen Hawking, former Chelsea defender Leboeuf made a peculiar appearance.
Although it wasn’t his acting debut, the 55-year-old World Cup champion from France made an appearance as a doctor in one scene.
He previously made an appearance in the 2001 film Taking Sides and has performed in numerous theater productions and the World War II movie Allies.
“Journalists have asked me what is the common point between football and theatre, but they are completely different. We are both live — that’s it,” he said in an interview with The Times.
Carlo Ancelotti
It’s a moment you’ll blink and miss. But in 2016, the Real Madrid legend displayed his inner Trekkie by acting in Star Trek Beyond.
Ancelotti made a fleeting appearance at Starbase Yorktown as a doctor inspecting an alien while dressed in Starfleet garb.
“I am a poor actor”, 63-year-old Ancelotti admitted to Four Four Two.
“I grew up loving Star Trek, so it’s great to be in the movie today.”
Vinnie Jones
Guy Ritchie, a British director, predicted that the former Wimbledon hardman will have a career in movies.
In the 1990s movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, when he played a heavy for “Hatchet Harry,” he cast Vinnie, then 58, as “Big Chris.”
Following his appearance as “Bullet Tooth Tony” in Snatch, he went on to feature in 109 other productions, according to IMDB.
He co-starred with Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand as Juggernaut.
Additionally, he is getting ready to play the lead in The Gentleman, a Guy Ritchie movie that has been adapted into a TV series.
