Life after football: What do players get up to when they have retired?

Becoming a professional football player can be a dream come true, but it is a relatively short career. Players often face problems at the end of their careers after years of hard work and success. When it's time to hang up their boots, they may feel a sense of loss and regret, which can be detrimental to their mental health. When the disciplined fitness routine stops and international travel comes to an end, retirement from the game they love can be traumatic for some and embraced by others.

Former Arsenal and Brazilian World Cup-winning midfielder Gilberto Silva told Football Now that the uncertainty of retirement can often be one of the biggest challenges for an ex-pro.

"It can be difficult when you retire. You are used to the routine of being a footballer, and then you have to quit. Nobody tells you what to do or where to go once you have finished playing. When I started my company (Sport World Coaching), I began to give advice. I say to players they need to decide to move into new career paths when they leave, but if possible, try to stay in the game (football) because they have excellent knowledge in this field, and this can help them in a future career."

Retirement doesn't always mean the end. Some clubs support former footballers by guiding them through a bumpy transitional period, providing roles and employing them within the club.

It is a natural path for many footballers who remain in the game to become coaches. Zinedine Zidane, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are just some recent examples of players who transitioned into a role on the touchline following their illustrious careers. Ex-players can also often be seen on a TV studio panel, offering match-day analysis. Marcel Desailly, Thierry Henry and