Certain footballers choose to stay involved in the Beautiful Game after retiring, while others pursue a dramatic change to earn a living.

Riders hailing an Uber in Lisbon, Portugal, may have encountered former West Ham player Hugo Porfirio behind the wheel.

Influencer Andre Ramalho was shocked after booking a ride with the veteran, who made 27 appearances and scored four goals during his loan period in East London in 1996/97.

This followed with an additional nine top-tier appearances at Nottingham Forest.

Now, his passengers can brag about being driven by a former Portugal international, now 53, who played at Euro ’96 and earned three senior caps.

However, not all interactions are as pleasant; one former Premier League centre-back was recognized while sitting across from a suspect during an interview in his new detective position.

FAIR COP

Seated across from a suspect in a burglary case, the individual was astonished to recognize Arjan de Zeeuw.

The former Barnsley, Portsmouth, and Wigan defender, aged 56, made 146 Premier League appearances before his transition into detective work in Alkmaar.

Prior to his football career, De Zeeuw had been studying medicine, and faced challenges returning to his studies upon his return to the Netherlands.

In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, he expressed an interest in forensics, aiming to engage with more crime scenes.

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FIRE POWER

David Hillier faced four rejections before he could enter the fire service.

The former Arsenal midfielder, now 56, found inspiration after he and his wife heard a recruitment ad on the radio while shopping.

Despite his 43 appearances for the Gunners, contributing to their First Division, FA Cup, and League Cup triumphs, he struggled during the formal interviews.

However, Hillier persisted—eventually revealing that training together, being under pressure, and pursuing immediate goals rekindled familiar feelings from his playing days.

BATTER UP

At 61, Ken Monkou showed what life looks like post-Premier League in the kitchen of his pancake house.

While catering to 150 hungry customers during the lunchtime rush, Monkou disclosed his venture in Delft.

He shared with The FA in 2015 that this experience brought back some thrill and pressure reminiscent of his Premier League days.

Nonetheless, managing the dual life between Britain and the Netherlands became overwhelming, leading to the restaurant’s closure after just two years.

HOLT EM’ UP

Grant Holt enjoyed the physicality on the field so much that he transitioned to professional wrestling post-Premier League.

After joining Forest in 2006, he truly shone at Norwich, where he won the League One title in 2009/10 and achieved back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

In 2022, Ashby shifted his focus to Norfolk’s non-league side Wroxham while inking a deal with the World Association of Wrestling.

Dressed as a manager, he dropkicked an opponent over the ropes to secure a victory in a 40-man Royal Rumble on his debut while claiming the Crusher Mason Memorial Trophy.

The father of three then added two more wins to his name before retiring undefeated in the ring, returning to football as a coach in Norwich’s academy and later scouting for West Ham.

BACK ON TRACK

Fabien Barthez revved his engine at the starting line of the 2008 Porsche Carrera Cup France.

The ex-United and Monaco goalkeeper was among the most recognized footballers in the late 1990s, celebrated for his iconic bald head.

In 2016, he even founded the Panis Barthez Competition team with the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix winner, aiming to compete at Le Mans.

After reaching speeds of 206mph in 2017, Barthez was forced to retire from competition the following year due to a broken clutch just three hours before the race concluded.

He currently serves as the goalkeeping coach for the France national team.

LEAVE YOUR MARC

With Leicester firmly in League One, the Foxes might be hoping for another resilient player like Marcin Wasilewski to emerge.

After playing a crucial role in the Midlands team that clinched the Premier League title in 2016 and retiring in 2020, he pivoted to cage fighting.

Reports of the fearless centre-back biting into a wine glass in 2023 shocked fans, as it confirmed that he genuinely fears nothing.

GIFT OF THE GAB

Marco Gabbiadini stepped away from football at 35 to embark on managing a ten-bed B&B in York.

In a conversation with The Sun in 2023, the former Sunderland star disclosed that he lives on-site and is well-prepared to handle various manual tasks around the establishment.

He shared, “I cook breakfast some days and handle handyman duties like bleeding radiators or fixing toilets.

“I’m capable of most things – plumbing, painting, and decorating, but we also hire professionals when needed.”

POST-MATCH

A former Manchester United and England star was spotted in his postman uniform, trading afternoon matches for an early shift.

Neil Webb, now 63, worked as a postman in Reading, with his day starting as early as 4:15 am.

His career included winning the FA Cup with United in 1990, along with a stint at Forest.

By May 2023, Webb mentioned that he was working as a delivery driver.

FATHER FIGURE

Gavin Peacock, at 58, traded his time on Match of the Day for a different vocation.

The former Chelsea and Newcastle player had established a solid broadcasting career with the BBC before relocating to Canada in 2008.

With his family alongside him, Peacock began studying theology and spent 13 years serving as a pastor in Calgary.

Peacock and his wife Amanda returned to England in February 2025, and he now serves as the pastor at Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent.

FRESH START

Philippe Albert, now 59, is best remembered for his spectacular finish against United, but transitioned into a greengrocer in Belgium post-retirement.

After spending 11 years away from football, he made a comeback as a TV pundit.

ORDER OF LAW

Stuart Ripley transitioned from holding a Premier League winner’s medal to earning a different qualification.

After contributing to Blackburn’s title victory in 1995, Ripley eventually enlisted at the University of Central Lancashire.

The former England winger attained his solicitor qualification in 2010, focusing on football-related legal matters at Brabners.

Ripley later became a law lecturer and also served on the FA’s judicial panel.

WORK OF ART

Jody Craddock’s passion for art initiated from his great-grandfather’s illustrated letters from World War I.

This interest started as a form of respite during his daily work but eventually evolved into a full-fledged career.

His former club even enlisted his talent…

Wolves commissioned Craddock to create artwork for all 25 matchday programmes during the 2017-18 season.