Footballers are one of the sportsmen that enjoy the most luxurious lives thanks to the huge chunk of money they draw from the game and various endorsements.
With the huge amount of money, they can buy expensive vehicles, big houses, and most importantly, date or marry the most beautiful women the world can offer.
Though their career has given them ‘everything’ they desire in life, not everything is always rosy. To some of them, football is one thing that has caused them more harm than good. The love of the game has made them detach from some of the most fundamental things in life, such as love and relationship.
Because of football, some players have been forced to end their relationships or families. Others have given the game a hundred percent dedication that they have forgotten about their social lives.
Below are some of the footballers that football ruined their relationship with for one reason or the other.
Riyad Mahrez
According to his ex-wife Rita Johal, Manchester City star Riyan Mahred is one of the footballers that football ruined his relationship with.
In a recent interview, Rita revealed that Mahred turned his back on her and their family after making a big-money move to Man City. According to her, the winger changed from a down-to-earth husband into a “big head.”
“Riyad let fame go to his head. He changed when he went to Manchester City.
“But a footballer’s career is short-lived.
“They should remain grounded and loyal to those they care for, even when they have moved up to a bigger club because when it’s all over, they will realize who’s truly there,” Rita told The Sun.
The singer who changed her faith to be with Mahrez, a Muslim, stopped drinking alcohol and accepted a low-key life with the footballer when they met, said that the 30-yea-old star turned cold towards her after recuring a £60million to Etihad.
Arsène Wenger
A few years before leaving Arsenal football club, Arsene Wenger divorced his long-time partner and wife, Anne. According to Wenger, the main reason they separated si because of football.
The former Gunner’s boss noted that they separated after constantly promising the ex-wife that he would retire from football management and go home and start enjoying life together, but only to push forward his retirement to later years.
“Ten years ago, I said to my wife [Annie], ‘Five more years and that’s all,’ and I am still here.
“It is difficult to find time to see them, but there are jobs [which are worse]. You have guys who leave for work on Monday and come back on Friday.
“In my job, I travel, but the problem is not so much the quantity of time you spend with your family; it is the quality,” Wenger said as reported by the Standard.
Son Yun Heung-Min
The Tottenham Hotspurs forward is another player whose social life has been greatly affected by his football career. According to Son, he cannot commit to a relationship because of football.
Son revealed that his father told him that he could not marry unless he retires from active football.
Speaking to The Guardian, Son noted that his father told him that his priority should be family, wife, child, and then football in that order once he is married.
“My father says this, and I agree, as well,” Son told the publication.
“When you marry, the number one will be family, wife, and kids, and then football. I want to make sure that while I play at the top level, football can be number one. You don’t know how long you can play at the top level.
“When you retire, or when you are 33 or 34, you can still have a long life with your family.”
