Are footballers these days overpaid? Possibly.
This list however is going to go through the top 10 players who have squandered their money. From gambling to the out right ridiculous some of these players could have done with keeping in closer contact with their financial advisers.
From ex stars who had the world at their feet to some of the lesser known players, this lot have lost some serious money. It’s a short career for footballers and there is some guidance on saving money but some of these guys have no taken any notice on that.
If you know of any other players who have sadly lost their wealth throw their names into the comments section below!
10. Ray Parlour
Ray Parlour. The softly spoken yet tenacious midfielder came into some financial issues in 2004 when he split from his partner.
During his move from Middlesbrough his ex wife was mediating how much money she would get. After an intial offer of £120,000 a year was rejected by the courts she eventually walked away with a deal that saw her get £440,000 a year!
Not an easy one to stomach for the ex Premier League Londoner!
9. Didi Hamann
Didi Hamann. Enough to make any Liverpool fan grimace to themselves.
The Premier League stalwart was a brilliantly calming influence and the German international earned many admirers during his time in the UK.
However it hasn’t always been playing sailing for the touch tackling midfielder, Hamann once lost £288,400 on a single bet. It was a bet on an England vs Australia cricket match and the big German lost an eye-watering sum.
It may be a nice point to note that this was a moment of self reflection for him and enabled him to realise that he cannot bet like that in future. Glad you realised before it got serious Didi!
8. Jason Euell
The former Charlton frontman, now U21’s manager at he club, Euell looks set to carry on his career off the field. However it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the former Jamaican international.
In 2011 Jason Euell was subject to a case of fraud. His signature had been forged on fake documents and he was forced into declaring bankruptcy.
The worst bit of this situation is it would appear as if a friend faked his signature and convinced him into committing money into the project. Poor old Jason!
7. Lee Hendrie
Little Lee Hendrie. The Birmingham born midfielder was hot property when he came through the academy of Aston Villa.
As a nippy winger, he was also capped for England, at the peak of his career he was earning £40,000 a week. However Hendrie made some housing investments that turned sour and by 2012 he was declared bankrupt and noted at £193k in debt.
Hendrie has, however, flipped things around and now runs his own football academy for children aged 3-9.
6. Eric Djemba-Djemba
Eric Djemba-Djemba. So good they named him twice. But one thing he hasn’t been good with over his career is his finances. Eric was earmarked as a replacement for tough-tackling midfielder Roy Keane when he was signed from Nantes.
However, Eric became too accustomed to the lavish lifestyle that comes with big cheques. So much so that he reportedly had 10 4×4 cars at one point, even his financial adviser was telling him this wasn’t wise.
He was supposedly earning £75,000 a month but was living on his win and appearance bonuses that club had written into his contract. About time to listen to that adviser?
5. David James
David James is a household name in football and was a steady pair of gloves for many a team in the Premier League.
However, in 2014 the former England no.1 declared himself bankrupt. After a messy breakup in 2005 from his wife Tanya, James found himself amassing debts that begun to take their toll nine years later.
David James had interests away from football and was involved in property and also had a modelling contract from Giorgio Armani.
4. Carl Cort
After making his move from Wimbledon to Newcastle big things were expected of Carl Cort. However his move ended up being less than impressive.
Add to that Carl Cort had to file for bankruptcy then it makes for a harrowing read.
At his peak Carl Cort was earning £20k-per-week at Newcastle, the way in which he lost his money remains unclear however it is speculated that an American advisory firm were exploiting many young English based players, and Cort may have been one of those unfortunate ones.
3. Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel. America’s number 1? Advocate of yoga? Unfortunately he will have bankruptcy to that list.
In 2011 while still an Aston Villa player, Brad Friedel was declared bankrupt after amassing a £5m debt. This was largely due to a football academy he was in charge of in the US that began to amass astronomical fees.
It even went as far as repossessions starting on his £260,000 house. The American shot stopper will have had his head in gloves when he got these letters through the post!
2. John Barnes
The Jamacian-born former English international is remembered as one of the great players to wear the Three Lions on his shirt. Barnes even went on to manage the nation where he was born, however it was not long after this that he began to suffer money problems.
In 2009 just five days after being sacked as manager of Tranmere Rovers, John Barnes was declared bankrupt by the Liverpool insolvency court.
This bankruptcy notice was later rescinded but would of certainly been a wake up call for the ex-Liverpool man.
1. Paul Gascoigne
Gazza. What a player, England hero may well be underselling it but the man was adored by football fans, not only all over the country but, all over the world.
However, as has been well documented he has not always found it easy since he had to hang up his boots. A popular member of the squad wherever he played.
Paul Gascoigne was narrowly saved from bankruptcy by settling a bill with the taxman over an unsettled £32,000 bill.
He has been noted as recovering from the issue, and we wish him all the best on his recovery!