Former South African International and champions’ league winner Benni McCarthy’s house in Scotland was recently broken into by burglars while he was away on holiday with his family in Dubai.
Media reports from South Africa say the former FC Porto, Ajax Amsterdam, and Orlando Pirates striker lost one of his vehicles.
It is abundantly clear that the thirty eight year old is living a lavish lifestyle years after retirement from the beautiful game compelling experts to encourage players to emulate and invest for their future.
Stressing the importance of investment by football players media personality Simbarashe Namusi said is imperative players have a fall back plan as one’s career could end prematurely due to various reasons.
‘’Our players lack financial discipline,’’he said. ‘’They need to be capacitated in that direction.’’
Namusi added that there was need to engage shrewd advisers and reputable managers who are business minded and capable of serving the good interests of players.
At the end of a professional footballers’ career wealth and flamboyance can soon be replaced by bankruptcy and disillusionment.
Many former players now wallow in abject poverty despite amassing a lot of wealth during their playing days.
A former national team player who requested anonymity sadly regrets the fortune he blew away.
‘’My stay in South Africa opened to me a new life and l got carried away,’’he said. ‘’ l thought l would play forever. l failed to buy even a house for myself.Literally l don’t have a fall back plan as football is all know.’’
It is crucial that footballers have financial planning and value money so as to avoid bankruptcy.
Former England goalkeeper David James who earned an estimated $20 million during his career is reportedly broke with former Newcastle winger Keith Gillespie losing nearly $7 million.
On a positive note though is the recent trend where players now take the natural step into management or coaching in order to extend their paid involvement in football and harness the skills and experience they would have acquired during their career.
It is now common for players to study for their coaching badges during their playing career to prepare themselves in advance for future work in football.
Journalist and public relations practitioner Gideon Madzikatidze urged the players to seriously consider the media as a future career because of its synergy with the game.
Madzikatidze said: ‘’The media has proven to be fertile environment for footballers who wish to earn a living and stay involved in the game. Even less lucrative media jobs can be important bridges for players wishing to find new careers.’’
Former footballers Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville who played for Liverpool and Manchester United respectively are prime examples of high profile football personalities working as soccer pundits for Sky Sports.
