In this post, I will highlight some of the famous footballers that got divorced. So, if you have asked: which famous footballers got divorced, then this is for you.
Divorce is an unfortunate reality that can affect individuals from all walks of life, including soccer players. Some of these players have lost almost all their wealth to their ex-wives while some are still breathing.
These are just the craziest famous divorce I have ever seen in football.
Top 10 Popular Soccer Players Who Got Divorced
- Achraf Hakimi
- Emmanuel Eboué
- Frank Rijkaard
- Lothar Matthäus
- George Best
- Thierry Henry
- Edinson Cavani
- Tim Howard
- Kevin-Prince Boateng
- Sepp Blatter
Let’s learn;
1. Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi, the talented Moroccan professional footballer, found himself entangled in a divorce saga that not only captured headlines but also involved a series of legal disputes.
Hakimi’s marriage to Spanish actress Hiba Abouk seemed like a picture-perfect union, with the couple even welcoming two sons in 2020 and 2022.
However, in a surprising turn of events, on 27 March 2023, Abouk took to her Instagram account to confirm their separation and the impending divorce proceedings.
Reports suggested that she sought more than half of Hakimi’s assets and fortune, raising eyebrows in the media and among fans.
Interestingly, there were claims that Hakimi’s assets were held in his mother’s name, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Amidst this divorce, Hakimi faced additional challenges as he became a case in a highly controversial legal matter. On 3 March 2023, he was charged by an investigating judge in Paris following an allegation of rape.
As a result, Hakimi found himself under judicial supervision, with restrictions placed on his contact with the alleged victim, while he retained the ability to travel outside French territory.
The combination of a high-profile divorce and a serious legal accusation created a storm of controversy around Hakimi’s personal life.
As the divorce proceedings unfolded, questions surrounding the asset dispute and the outcome of the rape allegation remained unanswered.
2. Emmanuel Eboué
Emmanuel Eboué, the Ivorian football sensation known for his time with Arsenal, faced devastating setbacks that took a toll on his personal and mental well-being following a divorce. Before joining Arsenal, Eboué married his Belgian wife, Aurélie, and they welcomed three children into their lives.
However, little did he know that his journey would soon take an unfortunate turn. In December 2017, Eboué shocked the world when he revealed to the Sunday Mirror that he was not only poor but also homeless.
He attributed his circumstances to his divorce and ill-fated investments that were allegedly under his former wife’s control.
The revelation shocked the football world, leaving fans and colleagues saddened by the drastic downfall of a once-successful player. Eboué also opened up about his ongoing struggles with mental health.
In June 2019, he candidly spoke about the emotional toll these challenges had taken on him.
The pressure, combined with the loss of his football career and the strength of his personal life, had left him grappling with mental health issues.
3. Frank Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard carries the weight of a footballing bloodline within his family.
He is Born into a lineage of footballers, Rijkaard’s father, Herman Rijkaard, was a notable player for SV Robinhood in the Surinamese Hoofdklasse before immigrating to the Netherlands and gracing the Dutch Eredivisie with his presence at FC Blauw-Wit.
Additionally, Rijkaard’s older brother, Herman Rijkaard Jr., has made a name for himself as a FIFA-certified players’ agent, representing several players at the international level.
However, despite his accomplishments on the field, Rijkaard’s personal life has been marred by stormy relationships. The soccer star has experienced the pain of divorce not once, but twice.
Nevertheless, Rijkaard has found love again and is currently married to Stephanie, and together, they are raising a family of four children.
The details of Rijkaard’s divorce experiences remain mostly private, but the challenges of navigating the ending of a marriage in the public eye are undoubtedly taxing.
4. Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Matthäus has had a life filled with complex relationships, marriages, and divorces.
Lothar’s upbringing was shaped by his father’s escape from southern Silesia during the Soviet invasion in 1944, while his mother worked for Puma, a notable sports brand.
Throughout his life, Matthäus has had a total of five marriages, making his personal life a rollercoaster of love and divorce.
His first marriage with Silvia lasted from 1981 to 1992, though they had two daughters, Alisa (born 1986) and Viola (born 1988).
In 1994, Matthäus entered into a union with Swiss model and TV presenter Lolita Morena, and they had a son named Loris (born 1992).
However, their marriage came to an end in 1999. During his coaching career at FK Partizan in Belgrade, Matthäus met Serbian socialite Marijana Kostić, and they tied the knot on 27 November 2003.
Unfortunately, their marriage faced its share of challenges, and the couple separated by late 2007.
Their divorce proceedings concluded in late January 2009 after a year-long court case in Salzburg, Austria, focusing on the division of assets.
In December 2008, at the age of 47, Matthäus surprised many when he married 21-year-old Ukrainian model Kristina Liliana Chudinova in Las Vegas.
However, their relationship also encountered difficulties, and they began living separately in early 2010 while residing in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Matthäus’s marital love life continued with Anastasia Klimko, with whom he had a son named Milan, born in April 2014.
However, this union ultimately came to an end in 2021, marking the conclusion of another chapter in Matthäus’s love life.
5. George Best
George Best, the iconic Northern Irish footballer known for his dazzling skills on the field, experienced a turbulent journey when it came to love and marriage.
Best’s first marriage took place on 24 January 1978 when he wed Angela MacDonald-Janes at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. The couple had a son named Calum, born in 1981.
However, their relationship faced challenges, leading to their separation in 1982 and eventual divorce in 1986. I’m sure you would remember Best for his candid and often controversial remarks.
He once famously said, “If I had to choose between dribbling past five players and scoring from 40 yards at Anfield or shagging Miss World, it’d be a hard choice. Thankfully, I’ve done both.”
This quote reflects his unapologetic approach to both his on-field achievements and his colorful personal life. Best went on to marry Alex Pursey in 1995 in Kensington and Chelsea, London.
Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 2004, without the couple having any children together. Pursey claimed that Best had been violent towards her during their marriage.
These allegations were also mentioned in Best’s authorized biography, “Bestie,” where Pursey claimed he had physically assaulted her on multiple occasions.
Best’s struggles extended beyond his relationships, as he faced legal issues stemming from violent incidents.
His biography revealed that he had struck another girlfriend at least once and had been arrested and charged with assault on a waitress named Stevie Sloniecka in 1972, resulting in a fractured nose.
Though he was successfully defended in court by George Carman QC, a barrister.
6. Thierry Henry
We all love Thierry Henry for his incredible skills and goal-scoring prowess. So, his personal life was not immune to the challenges that often follow fame and success.
Henry’s journey through love and marriage experienced both moments of joy and the pain of divorce. In a lavish ceremony held at Highclere Castle on 5 July 2003, Henry married English model Nicole Merry, also known as Claire.
The couple seemed to embark on a path of happiness, and their joy multiplied with the arrival of their first child, Téa, on 27 May 2005.
Henry’s time for his daughter was evident when he celebrated his first goal after Téa’s birth by forming his fingers into a “T” shape and tenderly kissing them during a match against Newcastle United.
However, their seemingly perfect life took a turn when Henry moved to Barcelona. It was then announced that he and his wife would be divorcing, with the decree Nisi granted in September 2007.
The divorce legal action was said to be based on Henry’s behavior, marking a challenging chapter in their relationship.
The couple’s separation concluded in December 2008, with Henry ultimately paying Merry a divorce settlement close to her requested sum of £10 million.
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7. Edinson Cavani
Edinson Cavani was a devoted family man and a deeply religious individual, Cavani’s journey through marriage and divorce offers a glimpse into the problem of a high-profile athlete’s relationships.
Cavani was married to Maria Soledad Cabris Yarrús, and together they welcomed two sons: Bautista, and Lucas.
In 2013, he publicly announced that he and his wife were heading towards divorce, following their split the previous year.
Cavani found love again and had a daughter named India on 17 May 2019, with his girlfriend Jocelyn Burgardt.
8. Tim Howard
Tim Howard is not only known for his exceptional saves on the field but also for his deep-rooted faith in making a positive impact off the pitch.
Howard was previously married to Laura Cianciola Howard, and together they have two children. Their relationship ultimately ended in divorce, marking a transition in Howard’s personal life.
Despite the challenges faced in his marital journey, Howard’s faith has remained a steadfast pillar in his life.
He has expressed that Christ holds the utmost importance for him, surpassing victories, defeats, or even his playing status. For Howard, everything else is simply a bonus, and his commitment to his faith shines through his actions and words.
In addition, Howard is actively involved with Athletes in Action, a ministry arm of Campus Crusade for Christ.
9. Kevin-Prince Boateng
Kevin-Prince Boateng’s romantic journey has been filled with twists and turns from his first wife, Jenny. Following his divorce from Jenny, Boateng found love again with Italian model Melissa Satta.
The couple became engaged in 2011 and welcomed their son, Maddox Prince on 15 April 2014.
Boateng and Satta exchanged vows on 25 June 2016 in a ceremony held in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, surrounded by their loved ones.
However, their marriage faced difficulties, leading to their separation in December 2020.
10. Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter, a prominent figure in the world of football administration, has had a loving life marked by marriages, separations, and new beginnings.
Blatter’s first marriage was to Liliane Biner, with whom he had a daughter named Corinne. Their union was short-lived, and they eventually divorced.
In 1981, Blatter went into his second marriage with Barbara Käser, the daughter of Helmut Käser, Blatter’s predecessor as the secretary general of FIFA.
Tragically, their marriage endured for only a decade as Barbara passed away due to complications following an operation.
Following his second wife’s untimely demise, Blatter found love with Ilona Boguska, a Polish friend of his daughter Corinne. However, their relationship ended in 2002 after seven years together.
Blatter’s third marriage took place on 23 December 2002 when he tied the knot with Graziella Bianca, a dolphin trainer who happened to be a friend of his daughter.
Unfortunately, their marital joy was short as they divorced in 2004. Since 2014, Blatter has been in a domestic partnership with Linda Barras, who has been supportive.
Conclusion
After analyzing the whole scenario of these players’ marriage life, and divorce, I realize they are just the craziest divorce of all time in football.
Is it Achraf Hakimi who has all his assets in his mother’s name or Rijkaard who has gone through the pain of divorce two times?
Interestingly, while some have lost everything to their wives, Hakimi registered all his properties in his mother’s name. For me, the Hakimi divorce saga is the most famous divorce in football history.