Footballers are usually known for goals, trophies and big performances, but some have also managed to complete impressive qualifications alongside their careers: to prove that, here are eight World Cup players who also took their education seriously:
1. Juan Mata
Juan Mata studied Sports Science and Marketing in Madrid.
He played for Spain at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, winning the tournament in 2010.
He is also known for helping start Common Goal, where footballers donate part of their wages to charities.
2. Giorgio Chiellini
Chiellini studied Economics and Commerce before completing a master’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Turin.
He represented Italy at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
His master’s dissertation was even based on the business model of Juventus, the club he played for.
3. Sócrates
Brazilian legend Sócrates completed a medical degree at the University of São Paulo and became known as “Doctor Sócrates”.
He played for Brazil at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
Alongside his football career, he was also famous for being interested in politics and social change.
4. Yuto Nagatomo
Nagatomo studied Political Economy at Meiji University in Japan.
He represented Japan at four World Cups: 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. He will also be participating in the 2026 competition.
He also had a successful European career, playing for clubs such as Inter Milan.
5. Shaka Hislop
Before becoming a Premier League goalkeeper, Hislop completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University.
He played for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup.
He helped his country earn a famous 0–0 draw against Sweden in their first-ever World Cup match.
6. Rodrigo Cascante
Rodri studied Business Administration and Management at Jaume I University in Spain.
He represented Spain at the 2022 World Cup.
Even after becoming a professional footballer, he reportedly continued living in student accommodation and lived a fairly normal student lifestyle.
7. Eduardo Camavinga
Camavinga completed his French baccalaureate in economics and social sciences while already playing professional football.
He represented France at the 2022 World Cup and played in the final against Argentina.
He later completed a short business course at Harvard, although this was not a full university degree.
8. Vincent Kompany
Kompany completed an MBA at the University of Manchester while playing for Manchester City.
He represented Belgium at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. Belgium finished third in 2018, their best-ever result in the competition.
Education allowed these players to have a career on and off the pitch
These players prove that football and education can go together. From medicine and engineering to economics and business, they all prepared for life outside of the pitch while still competing at the highest level.
