Footballers who made music

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech poses for a photo with Snoop Dogg in July 2006.
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech poses for a photo with Snoop Dogg in July 2006. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Football and music have long been linked. Both pursuits have their roots in the working classes and it is hard to imagine one without the other.

Players pump themselves up with pre-match music in the dressing room. Supporters sing songs in the stands, recreating famous tunes with their own lyrics dedicated to their favourite stars. And on television, musical montages are used to get viewers in the mood ahead of a game.

Many notable musicians are also football fans and in turn, famous players are often fascinated by music. Over the years, there have been albums and songs named after famous footballers (The Wedding Present's George Best and Thiago Silva by Dave and AJ Tracey are examples) and numerous references to the beautiful game.

Often, musicians form friendships with footballers and sometimes, the two passions are combined. Here, a look at some of the famous footballers who have turned their hands to making music, with varying degrees of success...

32. Paolo De Ceglie

Paolo De Ceglie in action for Juventus against Sampdoria in January 2013.

Paolo De Ceglie in action for Juventus against Sampdoria in January 2013. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Paolo De Ceglie made over 100 appearances for Juventus and had spells out on loan from the Bianconeri at Genoa, Parma and Marseille in the 2010s.

The former left-back, who represented Italy at Under-21 level and also in the Olympic Games in 2008, released a dance track entitled Moving On in 2013.

31. Djibril Cisse

Former footballer Djibril Cisse performs at a DJ party in Cannes in May 2015.

Former footballer Djibril Cisse performs at a DJ party in Cannes in May 2015. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Djibril Cisse played for Auxerre, Liverpool, Lazio, Marseille and more in an impressive career, winning the Champions League with the Reds and earning 41 caps for France.

Since retirement, Cisse has launched a clothing range and appeared in a film. But his biggest passion outside football is music and he has been DJ'ing since his youth. The former striker even got to spin for pop icon Mariah Carey in 2017.

30. Alisson Becker

Alisson Becker ahead of a game between Brazil and Ghana in September 2022.

Alisson Becker ahead of a game between Brazil and Ghana in September 2022. (Image credit: Getty Images)

As well as being one of the world's best goalkeepers, Alisson Becker is an accomplished guitarist and singer.

Alisson belted out Oasis' Don't Look Back in Anger during his initiation at Liverpool and later picked up the guitar to play Reds anthem Allez, Allez, Allez with local musician Jamie Webster at an LFC kit launch.

29. Leighton Baines

Leighton Baines in action for Everton in 2019.

Leighton Baines in action for Everton in 2019. (Image credit: Getty Images)

While most footballers these days seem to be into hip-hop, former Everton left-back Leighton Baines is very much an indie fan.

Baines would take his guitar with him on England duty and once revealed how Gary Neville walked into his room to find out what all the noise was about. He is friends with Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner and The Rascals' Miles Kane and wrote a music blog during his time at Everton.

28. Petr Cech

Petr Cech playing the drums at the refurbished Arsenal Foundation Music Therapy Room in May 2017.

Petr Cech playing the drums at the refurbished Arsenal Foundation Music Therapy Room in May 2017. (Image credit: Getty Images)

One of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, former Chelsea and Arsenal shot-stopper Petr Cech is also an accomplished drummer.

Cech has his own YouTube channel where he showcases his percussion skills on famous tracks, ranging from The Stereophonics to Rihanna. The Czech also featured in an Arsenal Christmas fundraising video playing the drums, along with Alexis Sanchez on keyboard and Nacho Monreal with a shaker.

27. Christian Vieri

Former Italy striker Christian Vieri attends Vanity Fair Stories event in Milan in November 2023.

Former Italy striker Christian Vieri attends Vanity Fair Stories event in Milan in November 2023. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Christian Vieri is one of Italy's best-ever strikers and a legend with Inter, where he scored over 100 goals in six seasons between 1999 and 2005.

The Australia-born forward retired in 2009 and a decade later, he released a house music track with DJ Luca Cassani and singer Lara Caprotti.

26. Terry Venables

Terry Venables performs a solo during the recording of Tottenham's FA Cup final song in 1967.

Terry Venables performs a solo during the recording of Tottenham's FA Cup final song in 1967. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Terry Venables was a fine footballer who played for Chelsea, Tottenham and England in the 1960s and the midfielder would later go on to become an even better manager.

An accomplished singer, Venables once performed a Frank Sinatra song live on Spanish television during his time at Barcelona. In 2002, he provided the vocals on a World Cup song entitled England Crazy and in 2010, he received acclaim for an impressive version of Elvis Presley's track If I can dream.

25. Diego Maradona

Diego Maradona performs with local musicians in India in October 2012.

Diego Maradona performs with local musicians in India in October 2012. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Diego Maradona's legendary exploits with Argentina and Napoli inspired many songs in the 1980s and the famous number 10 was known for his love of music.

Maradona once joined Argentine artist Rodrigo for an impromptu performance of his hit La mano de Dios (Hand of God), which features in Emir Kusturica's 2008 documentary. El Diego also performed with local musicians in India in 2012, sang the Brazilian national anthem for a television commercial, serenaded his ex-wife Claudia Villafañe with a version of Voy a olvidarme de mí and gave numerous renditions of the track El sueño del pibe – another song written in his honour – over the years.

24. Tam Nsaliwa

Canada's Tam Nsaliwa competes for the ball with South Korea's Cha Doo-Li in a CONCACAF Gold Cup game in February 2002.

Canada's Tam Nsaliwa competes for the ball with South Korea's Cha Doo-Li in a CONCACAF Gold Cup game in February 2002. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Born in Malawi, Tam Nsaliwa represented Canada at international level and won 13 caps in a career which saw him play mostly in Germany and Greece.

SInce his retirement from football, he has made music under the name of WazZzaY. One track, Sklira, was made in honour of former club AEK Athens' new stadium and was popular with fans on YouTube. In his Spotify profile, WazZzaY is described as "an unorthodox rap star."

23. Royston Drenthe

Royston Drenthe in action for Sparta Rotterdam in April 2019.

Royston Drenthe in action for Sparta Rotterdam in April 2019. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Royston Drenthe's career failed to live up to its early promise and after a difficult spell at Real Madrid, the left-sided former Dutch international had short stints for clubs across Europe before announcing his retirement in November 2023.

Drenthe briefly quit football years before that to launch a rap career under the alias Roya2Faces after he was unable to find a new club and released several tracks on different musical platforms, but returned to the game in 2018.

22. Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer lifts the World Cup trophy after West Germany's win over the Netherlands in 1974.

Franz Beckenbauer lifts the World Cup trophy after West Germany's win over the Netherlands in 1974. (Image credit: Getty Images)

A World Cup winner as a player and a manager and one of the greatest footballers of all time, Franz Beckenbauer also briefly dabbled in music.

Accompanied by hand-clapping from his West Germany team-mates, Beckenbauer sang lead vocals on the track Gute Freunde kann niemand trennen (Nobody can split good friends) in 1966.

21. Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos in action for Spain against Portugal at Euro 2012.

Sergio Ramos in action for Spain against Portugal at Euro 2012. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sergio Ramos married a television personality, the Spanish actress, presenter and model Pilar Rubio, and the former Real Madrid and Spain captain has always been drawn to the world of entertainment.

In a documentary for Prime Video, he is seen playing guitar and singing. And in 2016, he took lead vocals on a song entitled La Roja Baila, which became Spain's official single ahead of Euro 2016.

20. Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge alongside Paloma Faith at the Brit Awards in February 2019.

Daniel Sturridge alongside Paloma Faith at the Brit Awards in February 2019. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Daniel Sturridge played for Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City among others and won 26 caps for England between 2011 and 2017, scoring eight goals.

While still a player, Sturridge launched his own record label Dudley Road Records to offer a platform for emerging talent in the music industry. In 2018, Proposition by The.WAV featuring Masterkraft was released on the label.

19. Glenn Hoddle & Chris Waddle 

Glenn Hoddle (left) chats to former Tottenham team-mate Chris Waddle in 1991.

Glenn Hoddle (left) chats to former Tottenham team-mate Chris Waddle in 1991. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Tottenham team-mates Glenn Hoddle and Chris Waddle were crowd favourites at White Hart Lane in the 1980s and both went on to play successfully in France.

But the England's pair's foray into pop music was less impressive. In 1987, Glenn & Chris released Diamond Lights and even appeared on music show Top of the Pops in a performance which has been ridiculed since. The track reached number 12 in the singles charts. They later released a follow-up entitled It's Goodbye, which only got to number 92.

18. Jesé

Jese Rodriguez celebrates a goal for Las Palmas against Cartagena in October 2021.

Jese Rodriguez celebrates a goal for Las Palmas against Cartagena in October 2021. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Jesé was seen as the next big thing when he came through the youth system at Real Madrid in the early 2010s, but his career stalled due to injury and he has had spells in France, Italy, England, Turkey, back in Spain and even Brazil since 2016.

Off the pitch, the winger formed a Spanish reggaeton band called Big Flow with his friend DJ Nuno in March 2014. After two singles, he opted to pursue solo career in 2015 under the name Jey M and released a party track entitled Pakata in 2019.

17. Dion Dublin

Dion Dublin plays his musical instrument, the Dube, in January 2014.

Dion Dublin plays his musical instrument, the Dube, in January 2014. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Dion Dublin was one of the Premier League's best strikers in lengthy spells with Coventry City and Aston Villa in the 1990s and also won four caps for England.

Since retirement, Dublin has carved out a career as a television personality. A keen drummer, he also invented his own percussion instrument called The Dube. Dublin plays the saxophone and the drums and once joined indie band Ocean Colour Scene on stage.

16. Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay in action for the Netherlands against Germany in March 2024.

Memphis Depay in action for the Netherlands against Germany in March 2024. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Memphis Depay has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe – including Manchester United and Barcelona.

Off the pitch, the Dutch international forward has released a number of rap and hip-hop tracks. During his time at Lyon, he was criticised due to the flashy nature of his music videos, which featured fast cars, a private jet and lots of bling. He also took a swipe at United owners the Glazers in one of his songs. "I've been planning to make some big statements. I need money like the Glazers," he sang in the track Big Fish

15. Jackson Martinez

Jackson Martinez celebrates a goal for Colombia against Chile in October 2009.

Jackson Martinez celebrates a goal for Colombia against Chile in October 2009. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Jackson Martinez won 40 caps for Colombia, appeared at two World Cups, and was impressive in three seasons at Porto between 2012 and 2015.

In recent years, Martinez has embarked on a musical career. He put out an EP in 2018 and has released two albums since his retirement from football in 2020. The music is religious hip-hop, with song titles such as Dios me satisface (God satisfies me) and En Cristo estoy (I am in Christ).

14. José Pinto

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto Pinto “Wahin” attends 'The Fate Of The Furious' New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in April 2017.

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto Pinto “Wahin” attends 'The Fate Of The Furious' New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in April 2017. (Image credit: Getty Images)

José Pinto was Barcelona's back-up goalkeeper for six years between 2008 and 2014, winning a series of trophies in a glorious era for the Catalan club.

Off the pitch, Pinto began working as a musician and a record producer. He releases music under his alter-ego, Pinto Wahin, and his official website describes his style as "urban music". Pinto Wahin provided some of the sounds for the Cirque du Soleil production Messi10, on the rise of his friend Lionel Messi.

13. Andy Cole

Andy Cole, alongside Martine McCutcheon, presenting an award at the MOBO Awards in London in October 1998.

Andy Cole, alongside Martine McCutcheon, presenting an award at the MOBO Awards in London in October 1998. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Andy Cole picked up 15 caps for England between 1995 and 2001 and was part of Manchester United's treble-winning team under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999.

That same year, Cole released a pop rap single entitled Outstanding. Needless to say, it wasn't, although it did reach number 68 in the UK charts.

12. Germán Burgos

German Burgos celebrates an Argentina winner against Brazil in World Cup qualifying in September 2001.

German Burgos celebrates an Argentina winner against Brazil in World Cup qualifying in September 2001. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Germán Burgos won 35 caps for Argentina and played for Atletico Madrid between 2001 and 2004, later returning to the Spanish side as assistant to Diego Simeone.

Away from football, Burgos has fronted the hard rock band The Garb, previously known as Burgos Simpatía. The group's first few albums were released towards the end of his playing career.

11. Alexi Lalas

Former USA defender Alexi Lalas performing for fans in 1994.

Former USA defender Alexi Lalas performing for fans in 1994. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Former USA defender Alexi Lalas looks more like a hard rock musician than a footballer and in his spare time, that's exactly what he is.

Lalas has released a number of solo albums and as well as guitar and vocals, he has also experimented with music production and sound engineering. His college band The Gypsies also once opened at a gig for Hootie & the Blowfish.

10. Pele

Pele plays the guitar at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Pele plays the guitar at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. (Image credit: Getty Images)

After winning three World Cups with Brazil and scoring over 1,000 career goals, Pele finally retired from football after a spell at New York Cosmos in 1977.

That same year, the legendary forward released an album with famous musician Sérgio Mendes. Entitled Pelé, the collection of bossa nova and Brazilian popular music songs earned decent reviews. Accompanied by Gracinha Leporace, Pelé sings on two tracks: Meu Mundo É uma Bola ("My World Is a Ball") and Cidade Grande ("Big City"). Pelé also sang to Diego Maradona on the Argentine's chat show, La Noche del 10, in 2005.

9. Slaven Bilic

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic plays the guitar in Split in April 2008.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic plays the guitar in Split in April 2008. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Former Croatia and West Ham defender Slaven Bilic went into a career in coaching after retirement, but also dedicates much of his time to music.

A rhythm guitarist for hard rock band Rawbau. Bilic's band recorded a song for Croatia ahead of Euro 2008 entitled Vatreno Iudilo ("Fiery Madness"). He was later invited to perform with Iron Maiden by bassist Steve Harris, a big Hammers fan who had met the Croat in his playing days.

8. Nolberto Solano

Former Newcastle United midfielder Nolberto Solano (right) playing the trumpet with his salsa band at St. James' Park in November 2005.

Former Newcastle United midfielder Nolberto Solano (right) playing the trumpet with his salsa band at St. James' Park in November 2005. (Image credit: Getty)

Nolberto Solano played as a midfielder for Newcastle United between 1998 and 2004 and again from 2005 to 2007. He also played the trumpet.

The former Peru international told FourFourTwo in 2005 that he had once played his trumpet down the phone to manager Sir Bobby Robson and revealed he would also sometimes play a few bars for his team-mates in training.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo sings Portugal's national anthem ahead of a game against Hungary at the 2010 World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo sings Portugal's national anthem ahead of a game against Hungary at the 2010 World Cup. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored 450 goals in nine seasons at Real Madrid and won the Champions League four times with Los Blancos.

Less known is that early in his career with the Spanish side, Ronaldo recorded a song. The Portuguese provided his vocals for a version of the track Amor Mío, originally by Frank Sark, in an advertisement for a Portuguese bank.

6. John Barnes

John Barnes (centre) in the recording studio alongside Peter Beardsley and Des Walker for the recording of England's World Cup song with New Order in 1990.

John Barnes (centre) in the recording studio alongside Peter Beardsley and Des Walker for the recording of England's World Cup song with New Order in 1990. (Image credit: Getty Images)

John Barnes was not only one of the best English footballers of the 1980s and 1990s, but a decent rapper too.

After enjoying chart success with Liverpool on The Anfield Rap in 1988, Barnes feautured as a rapper again on England's 1990 World Cup song World in Motion, with New Order. "Catch me if you can, cause I'm the England man. And what you're looking at is the master plan," Barnes raps. The former England winger sang it again with fans on the London Underground in 2018 and also performed the rap during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show the following year.

5. Alvaro Benito

Former Real Madrid player Alvaro Benito (right) along with other members of the band Pignoise in 2011.

Former Real Madrid player Alvaro Benito (right) along with other members of the band Pignoise in 2011. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Alvaro Benito was a talented midfielder who came through the youth system at REal Madrid in the late 1990s, but his career was curtailed after he suffered a serious injury in an appearance with Spain's Under-21 team.

After undergoing three operations and playing for Tenerife and Getafe, he retired in 2003 and has featured as vocalist and guitarist in rock band Pignoise since then, as well as working as a football pundit on Spanish television and radio.

4. Gaizka Mendieta

Gaizka Mendieta celebrates after scoring for Valencia against Barcelona in the Champions League in May 2000.

Gaizka Mendieta celebrates after scoring for Valencia against Barcelona in the Champions League in May 2000. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Gaizka Mendieta scored some wonder goals for Valencia in the late 1990s and early 2000s and one of those is mentioned in a song by Spanish indie-rock band Los Planetas.

"I put the TV on and there's a game and Mendieta has scored a really incredible goal," the group sings in the track Un buen día. And at the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB) in 2015, Mendieta got up on stage and played guitar with Los Planetas on that very song.

3. Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne celebrates England's win over Belgium at the 1990 World Cup.

Paul Gascoigne celebrates England's win over Belgium at the 1990 World Cup. (Image credit: Getty Images)

After Paul Gascoigne's brilliant performances for England – and his tears in the semi-final defeat against West Germany – at the 1990 World Cup, Gazzamania gripped the nation.

Geordie group Lindisfarne saw an opportunity and reworked their hit "Fog on the Tyne" with Gazza providing a rap. "Sittin' in a sleazy snack-bar stuffin' sickly sausage rolls..." it begins. The song got to number 2 in the UK singles chart. Gascoigne followed that up with Geordie Boys (Gazza Rap), an ode to his home town and drinking. "Newcastle Town, there’s Geordie Brown [Ale], Cheers to the lads who sup it down," he sings. It's not good.

2. Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit with Kylie Minogue in February 2002.

Ruud Gullit with Kylie Minogue in February 2002. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ruud Gullit is one of the best-ever players to represent the Netherlands and the former AC Milan and Chelsea star had other talents, too.

During his time at Feyenoord, Gullit had a hit in his homeland with a song called Not the Dancing Kind. And in 1988, he teamed up with the band Revelation Time for an anti-apartheid anthem called South Africa, playing bass guitar and providing backing vocals on the track.

1. Julio Iglesias

Julio Iglesias in training with Real Madrid as a youth player.

Julio Iglesias in training with Real Madrid as a youth player. (Image credit: Getty Images)

In a legendary musical career which began in the late 1960s, Julio Iglesias became a superstar in Spain and one of the world's most famous singers.

But before all that, he was a goalkeeper for Real Madrid's youth team in Spain's Segunda División. After a car crash left him with severe injuries, Iglesias was forced to give up football and during his recovery, he discovered his talent for music.

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.