Unusual Football Celebrities’ Hobbies – Neymar, Ronaldo and APL players

Unusual Football Celebrities’ Hobbies – Neymar, Ronaldo and APL players

World-class football players live their lives for the sport and dedicate themselves to the game. However, off the pitch they are just ordinary people with their own individual hobbies and interests, many of which are aimed at distracting themselves from stress, having fun or channeling their competitive energy into new arenas.

Popular hobbies of football celebrities include collecting luxury items, traveling, various types of gambling, extreme sports, video games and the list goes on.

Why do so many of them choose gambling as a source of entertainment? This could be, for example, poker, roulette, sports betting – all these options have an adrenaline component and competitive nature that is so important on the football field.

More gambling industry news and celebrity information can be found at Cardmates.co.uk. 

Neymar Jr. and His Precious Watches

Neymar Jr. is famous not only for his incredible skills on the field, but also for his love of gambling in many of its manifestations. Poker is in first place, and the Brazilian has even managed to reach certain heights here. He has a partnership contract with the largest room in the world, PokerStars, and even special tournaments are named after him – Neymar Jr Kick-Off.

The Brazilian also loves expensive watches and has a unique, extensive collection of them. And here, too, the topic of gambling could not be avoided: not so long ago, Neymar bought a $280,000 custom-made watch that has a working roulette wheel. What else can more vividly show luxury and love of risk in one item? 

Christiano Ronaldo and His Gambling Deals

Another football icon known all over the world even to those who are not interested in this sport. And again, love for poker. The Portuguese has repeatedly emphasized how poker for him is not just gambling and a way to have fun. Ronaldo claims that the same skills help him at the tables and on the field – logic, patience, analysis of opponents.

Cristiano has been an ambassador for PokerStars for many years. Thanks to him, many fans have discovered the strategic side of gambling, and Ronaldo himself has shown himself to be a person with diverse interests.

Interestingly, another Ronaldo (the same football legend from Brazil) is also famous for his love of gambling and poker in particular. And he also had partnership contracts with PokerStars. It seems that a certain trend is emerging.

Football Players and Gambling in UK

Quite a few footballers from the United Kingdom or who play for Premier League clubs have connections to gambling and choose it as a hobby. This topic is widely accepted and normalized in the UK and can safely be called a part of everyday life for many. 

Wayne Rooney and His Gambling History

Everyone knows the name of one of England’s most prominent strikers, but not everyone knows that his hobby and love of risk were not always problem-free. In his interviews, Rooney has often shared about his experiences with betting, and talked about big losses in casinos.

In his younger years, when his career was actively progressing, Wayne relieved stress by playing, and lost hundreds of thousands of pounds. His open stories about gambling struggles show how important it is to stay within limits and not get carried away by the game too much.

Ivan Toney and Betting Scandals

Sometimes footballers get so carried away that they break the rules and get punished for it. Ivan Toney, a Brentford FC and the English national team star, immediately comes to mind. It was his case that became one of the largest violations of UK gambling rules, and it was dealt with by the English Football Association itself. 

Ivan was found guilty of regularly betting on his own club and this led to the worst thing that can happen to a professional footballer – a ban for as long as eight months. Because of this, he was unable to realize his dream of playing at the Qatar World Cup.

Sandro Tonali and His Illegal Betting

Unfortunately, the story of UK gambling rules cheaters by professional footballers does not end with Tony. Sandro Tonali is an Italian midfielder who joined Newcastle United in 2024. However, instead of becoming one of the team’s brightest representatives, Sandro is more famous for his punishments and bans.

Back in October 2023, he received a ban for his violations related to betting on matches in Italy, and later the FA opened a case in connection with new violations during the game as a Newcastle footballer.

The examples of Toney and Tonali demonstrate the problematic side of gambling in the UK. However, many footballers do not violate the rules and regulations, and for them this can be a good hobby that brings positive emotions and new experiences.