12 of the biggest footballers to come out of retirement

Football is a short but sweet career in every sense of the phrase.

Of course, the reality of being a professional footballer is more difficult than it appears to be, especially for those not making the big bucks in the top leagues, but it is the career we all wanted to fall into as fans growing up.

Very few are fortunate enough to make it to the professional game, so when it’s time to hang up the boots, it’s an endlessly difficult decision to make.

You’re a long time retired – that’s what they say, anyway – and that phrase couldn’t ring any truer in football, with players very rarely lacing them up beyond their mid-to-late thirties.

It’s always sad watching our favourites slowly lose the powers that make them great. There’s no going back when the legs have gone, either. That’s why we see so many wind it down in their later years, or even retire with a little still left in the tank, taking their earnings and running to preserve their health long-term.

However, sometimes it just isn’t that easy. Think about it. You’re paid very handsomely to play football every day and then again on weekends, while travelling the world. Sure, it’s a commitment. But it’s the dream one at that. Going from such a schedule to painting the fences white in the back garden must prove hellish.

It certainly did for the following players, anyway, who make up a small minority of elite names that decided to get the boots down from the loft and return to the pitch for one last hurrah.

There are some seriously shocking names in this list. And by shocking, we mean big. So be sure to read on and find out more about the following 12 stars who came out of retirement.

Following an illustrious career that saw Cech become one of the greatest goalkeepers of