LIFESTYLE

6 Famous Football Stars Who Became Politicians

Published

5 years ago

January 29, 2019

There is no denying that football has always had a connection with politics in one way or the other, being the most famous sport in the world surely attracts a lot of attention from every corner, and every field in the world. In fact, a lot of sporting events cannot be conducted until the higher authority makes it possible.

Take a look at 6 famous footballers who became politicians

Andrey Arshavin

Every Arsenal fan will always remember the name Andrey Arshavin. The Russian continues to perform with the Kazakhstan side FC Kairat. But did you know that Arshavin is a politician? He actually ran for Putin’s party in the regional council elections. Though he was eventually told to concentrate on football, Arshavin could return to politics after hanging his boots once and for all.

Sol Campbell

Having spent 20 years a professional footballer, Campbell is one of the most iconic defenders of his generation. He is often considered as one of the most decorated centre-backs in the history of the Premier League. However, the former English defender has been involved heavily with British politics after his retirement in 2011. He once put himself on the list for the Mayor of London but failed to garner a place in the shortlist.

George Weah

Widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time, George Weah has a Ballon d’Or under his name. He is one of the most successful footballers turned politician. Weah was elected as the 25th President of Liberia, assuming the office in January 2018.

Romario

Romario became very successful in Brazil national team. As one to highest scorers of all time, Romario won the 1994 World Cup. They elected him as a senator in 2014 and recently announced his decision to run for the governor’s position of Rio de Janeiro. He is deemed to focus on the corruption that goes on in football.

Pele

With over 1200 career goals, Pele is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, footballers in the history of the game. Retiring in 1977, Pele worked as UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador and a UN Ambassador for ecology and the environment. He was also the minister of sports in Brazil.

Andriy Shevchenko

Shevchenko was a prolific goalscorer for his various clubs, as well as his country Ukraine.
In 2004, his talents were rewarded when he was named Ballon d’Or winner. With 48 goals in 111 games for Ukraine, Shevchenko is much loved in his native country, and he has used that to launch a career in politics. When he quit football in 2012, he stated his goal to be a successful politician, after becoming involved in politics throughout his football career already. Although he was unsuccessful in the 2012 Ukrainian elections, he is still heavily involved with Ukrainian politics.

Related Topics:6 Famous Football Stars Who Became Politicians Football stars who turned politicians

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ENTERTAINMENT

I’m Single But I Have Boys That ‘Service’ Me – Korra Obidi

Published

8 hours ago

June 10, 2024

Reporter

Korra Obidi says she's single but has boys that ‘service’ her | fab.ng

In a recent appearance on the podcast “Heroe’s Diary,” controversial Nigerian dancer and singer Korra Obidi shut down any rumours about her relationship status. She made it clear that she’s single and not actively seeking a partner. Obidi is thriving on her own, prioritising her career and financial goals.

Remarriage isn’t part of her current plans, and she hinted at having other sources of fulfilment, saying she has “many boys” satisfying her. She also took a moment to address those who are still dwelling on the end of her past marriage. Obidi urged them to move forward and let go, seemingly indicating a desire to focus on the present and future.

Korra said,

“Serious Nigerian woman when I marry the man becomes my life. So now I’m trying to put that energy into making money, so I don’t end up homeless like I was. I know that nobody is coming to save me in a knight and shining armour, so I need to focus on the money.”

“I want to make a public service announcement. I’m not the only person that got married in Nigeria. In fact, my marriage was not even public. All you people saw was one post on Instagram: ‘Korra is taken.’ You people are now carrying the marriage to tie my legs. It has been two years [since my divorce], please leave me alone. I am single as a dollar bill. And I am not searching. I have many boys that service me.”

Korra Obidi and her ex-husband Justin were married for four years. They tied the knot in 2018, but their relationship ended in divorce in November 2022. During their marriage, they had two daughters together, June and Athena.

“I am not searching. I have many boys that service me”

– Korra Obidi pic.twitter.com/UWGdxhxmap

— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) June 8, 2024

Get more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Funke Akindele Recounts How D’banj Encouraged Her To Keep The ‘Jenifa’ Brand

Published

10 hours ago

June 10, 2024

Reporter

Funke Akindele recounts how D’banj encouraged her | Fab.ng

Nollywood actress and director Funke Akindele recently spoke about how singer D’banj helped her continue her successful Jenifa character. At a celebration for D’banj’s 20th anniversary in entertainment, Akindele revealed how D’banj motivated her to keep the Jenifa brand going.

They met at a club, and D’banj, a big fan of Jenifa, asked if there would be more movies.

Akindele was surprised because she hadn’t planned on making more. D’banj saw the potential in Jenifa and convinced Akindele it could be very profitable. To show his support, D’banj even gave her money to make new Jenifa movies. This led to the creation of “The Return of Jenifa,” a big hit that brought the character back to life.

She said,

“After the big break with Jenifa, everybody loved Jenifa so much, I was out there and everyone was celebrating me so much. I was invited to a club where I met Dbanj for the first time and he gave me his number and inquired if there is a sequence to Jenifa, I told him No and he questioned why as he noted how Jenifa is a brand I can feast on for the rest of my life.

“He told me that when I have a brand, you feed on the brand, you milk the brand very well and make money out of it. Out of his pocket, he gave me money and said I should go write another Jenifa and he supports me with the money.”

“Dbanj supported me w money for ‘Jenifa’ & advised me to continue shooting Jenifa. That’s how the Return of Jenifa came about.
God used @iamdbanj to speak to me to have the Jenifa brand” – @funkeakindele pic.twitter.com/d6fRB7ozmz

— HipTv (@HipTv) June 7, 2024

Akindele didn’t just thank D’banj; she showered him with praise! She called him more than just a musician – he’s a whole movement! She explained how his music has made countless people happy and said his influence will definitely last a long time.

“Dbanj you’re more than just a musician, you’re a movement! Your music has brought joy to our hearts, and your legacy will live on forever,” Akindele affirmed.

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Hanks Anuku Says Viral Video That Falsely Painted Him Unwell Made Him Lose Jobs

Published

11 hours ago

June 10, 2024

Reporter

In a recent interview, popular Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku addressed the confusing videos of him from last year. The videos showed him on the street, talking to himself and looking dishevelled. People online worried that Anuku might be mentally ill.

But Anuku cleared things up and explained to interviewer Lucky Udu that he was actually preparing for an acting role. He was pretending to be a character who wasn’t well mentally, so he could act the part more realistically.

He began, “That day I was trying to get into character for a role I was going to play, a madman role. Someone who was not in his correct senses or right frame of mind.”

“So naturally I did it in the neighbourhood and I was trying to get it to show the way the director would have shown it. I was meditating and trying to get into character, that’s it. I was not even aware that I was being recorded. I was concentrating on myself and my script,” he continued.

Hanks Anuku took the interview as an opportunity to dispel rumors about his mental health and drug use.

He firmly denied ever using drugs and assured the interviewer that he’s in excellent health. The strange behavior in the videos was all part of his dedication to acting, not a reflection of his own well-being.

“People have said a lot of stuff. Rumours are rumours. They said I was sick and I was on drugs. I was not on drugs. Maybe they saw me depressed cause depression can cause stress. But me, being on drugs? That’s not true. I’m not a madman. I’m very sane and healthy. I exercise a lot and do my martial arts and sports,” he explained.

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A post shared by Dr. Lucky David Udu (@luckyudu)

Further admitting that the viral videos and rumors had a big negative impact on his life, he explained how he lost a lot of money due to the situation. Film projects stopped hiring him, leaving him jobless for a period of time. On top of the financial strain, Anuku shared the emotional toll it took on him. He felt hurt and discouraged by the way people reacted to the misunderstanding.

He said, “I lost a lot of money. I lost jobs and was jobless for a while and people didn’t care about me. I went through pain and I was heartbroken.”

Check out more updates here.