You’d never guess these celebrities were once football talents

Talented people often have more than just one talent, and many famous faces on our screens have had previous success. This might be on stage, academically, but, unsurprisingly, within football too. In fact, some players back themselves early on and put their money where their mouth is. Both Harry Wilson and Lewis Cook’s grandparents respectively bet on them to earn a senior cap for their respective countries. So, if you were to use a Legalcasino in the UK, which celebrity would you bet almost made it as a football player?

The Hollywood kickers

Hollywood, which is central to the film industry, can often feel quite detached from the world of football and its permeating culture around the world. Yet, several well-known actors had some serious talent.

Tom Cruise, who in fairness is renowned for his physicality within high-octane stunts, was once a football player during his high school years in Ottawa, Canada. Cruise played as a midfielder, and reports suggest he showed a lot of promise. However, it was a serious knee injury that sidelined his sporting aspirations, and was perhaps the catalyst for his dominant acting success. Cruise remains a keen football fan, where he is often seen supporting LA Galaxy.

Action star Jason Statham, who is known for his tough-guy roles, grew up playing football in the UK alongside future professional footballer (and actor) Vinnie Jones. Jones introduced him to the game, and Statham played for their local grammar school between 1978 and 1983. While athletic, Statham’s passion gravitated towards diving, where he became a member of Britain’s National Diving Squad for over a decade. He even competed for England in the 1990 Commonwealth Games, before finding fame via Guy Ritchie films. Vinnie Jones, on the other hand, played at a high level professionally before skyrocketing to acting fame with Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.

Will Ferrell also has a surprising sporting past. He was an athlete in high school, and football, along with basketball (as captain) and baseball, were his chosen sports. He even played American football as a kicker, making the most of his height. Perhaps he spread himself too thin, as he never made it professionally within any of these sports, but did become one of the world’s leading comedy actors and now co-owns Los Angeles FC. Ferrell has always been a Chelsea supporter, and has since played his part in charity matches like Soccer Aid.

Another interesting star is Channing Tatum. Tatum starred as team captain in the 2006 film She’s the Man. He claimed to draw upon his own experiences from playing during his time at High School, but later admitted that he may have exaggerated his skills – but appeared extremely competent in the film. So, perhaps he wasn’t close to going professional, it’s an interesting case of being talented enough to fake it until you make it – the audience was convinced he had a serious background.

British icons nearly lost to the beautiful game

It’s not just Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham across the Atlantic, as Britain’s love of football shows with many icons almost dedicating their lives to the beautiful game.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who has a culinary and television empire, was once a promising young footballer. Using his aggression on the pitch, he was scouted by club Rangers F.C. around the age of 15. His dreams of a professional career were shattered by a devastating knee injury, and it reallly did seem like he would have made it professionally. But, it did lead to him being one of the most decorated chefs in the world, providing that talent can be redirected.

One of the most famous examples is Sean Connery, who was the original James Bond. Before become the suave secret agent that we know him as today, he was a talented footballer playing for Scottish club Bonnyrigg Rose. During a pre-season tour in the 50s, Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby scouted one of their matches and was impressed by a young Connery, who was playing on the right wing. Busby offered him a contract worth £25 per week. Oddly, Connery declined, saying that “a top-class footballer could be over the hill by 30, and I was already 23. I decided to become an actor, which was one of my more intelligent moves”.

Rock legend Sir Rod Stewart also had ambitions of becoming a professional footballer, which was in part cheered on by his father. Raised in London, Stewart secured trials with Brentford F.C., who were then a Third Division club. This was when Steward was 15, and contrary to some myths, he stated in his autobiography that he was never formally signed and the club didn’t call him back. Stewart concluded that a musician’s life offered more freedom: “Well, a musician’s life is a lot easier and I can also get drunk and make music, and I can’t do that and play football. I plumped for music”.

A connection between talents

There is clearly a correlation between being talented on-screen and talented on the pitch. Perhaps the connection is mental, in which the likes of Gordon Ramsay are fighters with high aspirations. But one thing is clear, most of these acting careers were born out of failing to make it as a player – putting forward the notion that some stars would have perhaps preferred being a football player.