After former Newcastle player, Hatem Ben Arfa, was revealed to be in the top 1500 players in padel tennis – we wondered what other athletes have played multiple sports?
Former Newcastle player Hatem Ben Arfa is now ranked inside the top 1,500 padel tennis players in the world 🤯😅
The 36-year-old, who has been a free agent since leaving Lille in 2022, has won over 70 tournaments over the course of the year to earn that ranking 👏
A true… pic.twitter.com/wjSP7g815c
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 29, 2023
Top Five Athletes That Have Swapped Sports
Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson was the number one pick in the 1986 NFL Draft, but decided to pursue a career in baseball instead – being called up to the majors in 1986.
In 1989, the American was selected for the All-Star team and was also awarded with the Most Valuable Player trophy as his MLB career spanned from 1986-1994.
During this time, Jackson played in the NFL, being a key member of the Oakland Raiders, from 1987 to 1990. In his final season, he made it to the Pro Bowl.
Petr Cech
The former Chelsea shot-stopper holds the record for clean sheets in the Premier League, sitting on an impressive 202.
In January 2019, the Czech athlete announced his retirement from football, after winning 4 Premier Leagues, 1 Champions League, 1 Europa League, 5 FA Cups and 3 League Cups.
In the years after his retirement from football, Cech has turned his hand to a second sport, and played for NIHL South Division ice hockey side Oxford City Stars.
He took to it well, and was named man of the match in the Star’s win over Streatham – saving 62 shots from 64 in a 3-2 win.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan announced his initial retirement from basketball in 1993, nine years after making his NBA debut for the Chicago Bulls.
The sporting icon then signed with the Chicago White Sox’s minor league team in February 1994, and began to join the team in training. He played for the Birmingham Barons and the Scottsdale Scorpions before returning to the NBA in 1995.
Deion Sanders
The renowned athlete played a host of sports, but is best known for his time in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl twice and appearing in the Pro Bowl on eight occasions.
During his career in football, Sanders played for, the Atlanta Falcons, the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Ravens – before retiring in 2006.
His talents transferred over to baseball, playing for over nine seasons and appearing for Atalanta Braves in the World Series in 1992. He retired from the majors in 1997, and had spells in minor leagues in 2001 before retiring.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is known as one of the best British players in history, winning five Champions League trophies and being a regular member in the Real Madrid side.
The Welshman announced his retirement from football on January 9 2023, and many wondered what was in store for the former Spurs player.
Throughout the latter stages of his career, Bale was seen playing golf numerous times and held an infamous Wales flag saying – Wales, Golf, Madrid in that order.
The 34-year-old made his PGA Tour debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2023, just one month after retiring from football.
Bale was also selected for Team Monty in the Ryder Cup All-Star match along with captain Colin Montgomerie, Garret Hilbert, Leonardo Fioravanti, Novak Djokovic and Kipp Popert.
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