It's become a common theme for footballers to go broke shortly after ending their careers but there are several stars who have their fortune after retirement - here are 7 of the major success stories.
On Thursday, Forbes reported that Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to achieve billionaire status while still actively playing and the only superstar to achieve the feat within a team sport.
Scroll through the gallery to see the 7 ex-footballers who've made their fortune since retiring
As one of the most marketable figures in world history, his record-breaking endorsement deals have put him into another level of acquiring vast wealth before officially hanging up his boots.
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However the 35-year-old has thrived in the modern era of social media and television ratings sky-rocketing over the past two decades, whilst several of the players who form part of the list played prior to the peak of his powers.
Among those include former United teammate Louis Saha, who was down and out after calling it a day, despite spending 14 years playing in the English top-flight.
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The 20-time capped France international created the 'AxisStars' company, which allows sports stars to communicate directly to brands without the middle-man in order to rate each other's experiences working together.
Another former Red Devil, Michael Owen, also makes the list as the co-owner of Manor House Stables, is reported to be worth $68-million
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The 40-year-old, who lifted the 2001 Ballon d'Or, has seen winners at Ascot and the Dubai Gold Cup coming through his investments, whilst earning hundreds of thousands by selling them on to other owners and even countries.
However, it doesn't come close to Mathieu Flamini, the co-owner of GF Biochemicals, now worth a reported $28-billion as the industry leaders in producing Levulinic acid, a fuel made from plant waste used to make plastic.
