Some Footballers Made Millions and Still Lost It All

Not long ago, I came across a thread about footballers who went utterly broke. I thought it was just one or two unlucky cases, but no — it was packed with names I recognised. Champions League winners, World Cup stars, guys who were everywhere when we were growing up.

Some of them had earned more in a week than most of us will in a decade. Yet, they still ended up with nothing. No house, no car, no money left. A few even ended up in jail. 

I couldn’t stop reading, and honestly… some of these stories are hard to believe.

Ronaldinho – Had Over $100 Million, Ended With €6

Ronaldinho was one of the most exciting players to watch. He played like football was a game, smiling the whole time, doing tricks, and embarrassing defenders for fun.

He made more than $100 million during his career. Sponsorship deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, even Guaraná Antarctica — that Brazilian soft drink, remember that?

But in 2018, authorities in Brazil checked his bank account. They found just €6.12. That’s it. He didn’t pay fines for building on protected land. So the government froze everything.

Then in 2020, it got worse. He was arrested in Paraguay for using a fake passport to enter the country. No idea why. He’s Ronaldinho — his face is famous everywhere.

He spent 32 days in jail. Reporters said he played football there and even won a roast pig as a prize for his team. Only Ronaldinho could turn jail into a football tournament.

From Ballon d’Or winner to broke and behind bars. Still smiling, though.

Maradona – Never Paid Taxes and Once Owned a Tiger

Diego Maradona is one of the greatest ever, no question. But his life outside football? Total chaos.

When he played for Napoli, he didn’t pay taxes correctly. By 2009, the Italian government said he owed €37 million. He kept avoiding it. Eventually, they even took his diamond earrings as part of his debt.

He also spent money like it meant nothing — luxury cars, gold watches, and yes, at one point, a tiger. A real one. He lived like he was untouchable.

He once said, “I gave defenders a lot of issues, but the taxman gave me more.” And honestly, it showed. His finances were out of control.

Paul Gascoigne – Too Much Booze, No One to Stop Him

Gascoigne — or Gazza — had raw talent. People loved him. But he struggled with addiction and didn’t get the help he needed.

He once said he spent up to £2,000 a day on alcohol. That’s not a typo! He also gave money away to strangers, just because he felt sorry for them.

In interviews, he’s admitted he had no idea how to manage money. No plan, no guidance, just fast fame and fast spending.

Now he survives on small media gigs and support from fans. He still makes people laugh, but the story behind it is heartbreaking.

David James – Made £20 Million, Still Went Bankrupt

David James was England’s goalkeeper for years. He played over 800 matches and earned around £20 million.

But in 2014, he declared bankruptcy. He had a massive vinyl record collection, more than 100 designer suits, and a custom-painted Vespa scooter. All of that got sold off.

It wasn’t one big mistake — just years of spending more than saving. No backup plan once his playing career was over.

Adriano – Lost His Passion and Disappeared

Adriano was meant to be Brazil’s “next big thing”. Strong, powerful, fantastic shot. But when his dad passed away, everything changed.

He started drinking more. Skipped training. Lost his focus.

His teammates at Inter Milan would cover for him. They’d tell the press he was injured when really he just didn’t show up.

Eventually, he moved back to the favela where he grew up. He said in an interview, “I didn’t want to play anymore.” And that was it. The career just stopped.

Emmanuel Eboué – Had Money, Lost Everything in a Divorce

Eboué played for Arsenal. Made millions. But by 2017, he was sleeping on a friend’s sofa. No house, no money. He washed his own clothes by hand and hid from bailiffs.

The problem? He gave power of attorney to his wife. After their divorce, he lost everything.

He said, “I wanted to kill myself. Only God helped me through.” It’s honestly one of the saddest stories. He went from the Champions League to having nothing at all.

Ifeanyi Udeze – Sprayed Money at Parties and Weddings

Udeze played for Nigeria and in Greece. He earned more than €10,000 a week at one point. But it didn’t last.

He became known for “spraying” money — throwing cash into the air at parties and weddings. He said it made him feel respected.

But the money went fast. He didn’t invest or save. Now he works as a pundit and often tells young players, “Don’t be like me.”

What Usually Goes Wrong for Footballers?

It’s never just one thing. Usually, it’s a mix of bad habits, poor advice, and no one around to tell the truth.

Spending Like the Money Never Ends

When you earn £50k a week, it feels like you’ll never run out of cash. Until it does. Big houses, sports cars, holidays — it all adds up.

Bad Investments

Lots of players put their wealth into restaurants, bars, footballers’ real estate or clothing brands. Sadly, most of them fail. Some don’t even know what they’re investing in.

Trusting the Wrong People

Agents, advisors, friends, family — not everyone has good intentions. Some players don’t even read the contracts they sign. A lot of the time, it’s not just bad luck — it’s straight-up mismanagement.

Divorce and Legal Battles

Divorce can wipe out half or even all of it. There’s child support, lawyers, court fees. It hits harder than people think.

Footballers Gambling Addiction

Booze, drugs, gambling — it happens more than we hear about. The money loss can be massive, and it affects their careers too. 

Footballer Tax Evasion

Some players just don’t understand how international taxes work. Others get bad advice. Either way, it can end with huge fines, like in Maradona’s case.