Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. With multitudes of nations and clubs participating against each other, players from all over the world aim to become the top-rated athletes in the sport. With the efforts that are put into this pursuit, players end up spending the majority of their lives perfecting their craft to reach the top and their primary focus is the sport itself. With that being said, there are some players who are equally passionate about other crafts and talents. This list explores the players who had more than one passion or dream to pursue.

The AC Milan striker is known for many things, which include his finesse with the ball, sense of humor as well as his aggression on the field. His level of control with the ball is often highlighted by experts, as well as his ability to make accurate long-range shots.

In addition to his skills on the field, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a black belt in Taekwon Do as well. The athlete has frequently spoken about his martial arts skills since his entry into football, and he showcased his skills through an Instagram video in 2021.

A tenacious player who represented France nationally and also made strides through his endeavors in Manchester United, particularly contributing to the revival of the club's prowess in the 1990s. He was known for wearing the iconic No. 7 jersey at Manchester United, and for keeping his collars up which was a unique look at the time.

In addition to an illustrious football career from which he retired at the age of 30, Eric Cantona is also a passionate photographer, filmmaker, and actor primarily focusing on French cinema. He starred as the lead in the Palme D'or nominated film Looking for Eric (2009) which was directed by Ken Loach.

Regarded as a dominating figure in football history, Sócrates provided intelligent captainship during the World Cup of 1982 against Italy. Although Brazil lost the game, it is considered one of the greatest matches in the history of football as both countries brought their very best plays, with Socrates scoring the first goal for Brazil.

The legacy of Socrates is not limited to the field though, as he was also a doctor with a Bachelor's degree in medicine which he attained alongside his professional football career. Additionally, he was an activist who often used his platform to speak for the poor too.

Considered as one of the most skilled Spanish strikers and greatest forwards known for his efforts in Valencia, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona, David Villa has more than a few achievements under his belt.

Aside from the legacy that he's left behind following his retirement, he is also a talented singer who has the potential to pursue a career in music. He released a song titled Insurreccion with Spanish singer Ana Torroja in 2010.

Perisic is a Croatian player who plays for the club Tottenham Hotspur. His contributions to Croatian football are considered instrumental particularly from 2017 to 2018, with the team considered the second golden generation of Croatian football, following the first golden generation being the team of the 1990s.

In addition to representing Croatia in football, Perišić also represents the country's beach volleyball team and took part in the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball World Cup in 2017. Although the team lost the first match, Perišić displayed impressive skills as a volleyball player.

A dynamic and aggressive midfielder for the club Bertha BSC, Kevin-Prince Boateng is a well-rounded player who nationally represents Ghana. His dribbling skills with the ball alongside his juggling skills are often praised by experts.

Unbeknownst to some fans, he is also a talented dancer with some acrobatic skills, which is highlighted when he usually celebrates goals by performing backflips. When it comes to pursuing his passion for dance, he mentioned Michael Jackson as a source of inspiration.

The Brazilian center-back and defensive midfielder has played for Chelsea, and Arsenal, concurrently playing for Flamengo. His confidence while in possession of the ball has often aided him in creating the ideal goal-line clearances.

In 2016, David Luiz performed a card trick in the Chelsea changing room that took his teammates by surprise, which highlighted his passion for magic tricks.

A core player who was an efficient midfielder for Manchester United and represented Spain nationally, Juan Mata kept building a solid foundation throughout his football career. He is known for his quick and agile maneuverability through the field.

Aside from employing his skills with the ball, Mata is a talented pianist and impressed his teammates by playing 'The Flea Waltz' at a Manchester United team hotel in 2017, which was posted on Twitter. Mata joked about how his world tour was sold out, but in terms of the skills that he displays, that particular outcome may not entirely end up being a joke in the near future.

The Czech Republican goalkeeper who played for Arsenal is said to be one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. He had a major head injury in 2006 during a match, and from that point onward, he began wearing a helmet to prevent such an injury from happening again.

Čech retired in 2019 and has been showcasing his drumming skills through cover videos he's shared, which include songs from Foo Fighters and Nirvana. Additionally, alongside Queen drummer Roger Taylor, he released his own song titled 'That's Football' for charity.

Described as a fierce shot who was comfortable with the ball, Daniel Agger spent much of his football career playing for Liverpool. His ability to read the game to benefit him and his team's advancement is often praised, and he has used it appropriately throughout his career.

After his retirement at the age of 31, he put effort into his second passion and became a qualified tattoo artist in 2016. He is a part of one of the biggest parlors in the world, Tattoodo. Agger himself sports quite a few tattoos on his body, and this clearly showcases the level of passion he has for the artistic process of tattooing.