10 footballers who served in military before football fame

Football has produced some of the world’s biggest sporting stars, but several prominent footballers also have military backgrounds.

From mandatory national service to active military duty, these footballers served in the armed forces before or during their professional careers.

Here are 10 notable footballers who were former military personnel.

1. Son Heung-min
South Korea captain Son Heung-min completed his mandatory military service with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps in 2020.
His service was shortened to about three weeks after he helped South Korea win the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, which earned the squad an exemption from the country’s standard lengthy mi...