Football and casinos have long been intertwined, with many world-class players known to gamble both in person and online – often gravitating towards platforms such as King Casino – where poker is a popular downtime pursuit.

Whether it's the mental challenge, the thrill of the game, or just pure fun, these players have made a name for themselves both on the pitch and at the poker tables. This article highlights some of the world's most famous footballers who have dabbled in highly competitive poker games at some of the world's glitziest casinos.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A Living Legend with a Penchant for Gambling

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best football players of all time, has a hidden talent for poker. He has been spotted playing pot-limit Omaha sessions against his friends and even won a charity event against Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul.

A prominent philanthropist, Ronaldo often donates his tournament winnings to various charities.

Neymar

From Football to Poker

Neymar, a Brazilian football superstar, has been a longtime celebrity representative for PokerStars. He has competed in various poker events around the world, being seen in some of the most famous casinos in the world in the process.

These include the 2018 Brazilian Series of Poker, where he placed sixth and walked away with $21,072 in winnings. Despite being knocked out on Day 1 of the 2022 $10,000 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Limit Hold'em Championship, Neymar managed to cash in on Event #41: $1,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold’em, finishing at 49th place for $3,959 in prize money.

Gerard Piqué

A Defender with a Poker Face

Gerard Piqué, the now-retired former Barcelona defender, is not only known for his football skills but also his impressive poker skills. He has made appearances at the European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona multiple times, with his best live cash of €352,950 coming in 2019.

Piqué once shared in an interview that playing poker and football gives him the same feeling of nerves and excitement.

Teddy Sheringham

Still in the Game

Teddy Sheringham, a long-retired ex-forward, famous for playing for such giants as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United, has made a name for himself in the poker world since his retirement in 2008.

His biggest cash was in the 2010 European Poker Tour (EPT), when he finished 5th in the €5,000 EPT Main Event taking home $118,346.

Gianluigi Buffon

A Goalkeeper with a Poker Strategy

Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gigi Buffon is also no stranger to a casino. He is widely known for his poker skills.

He started as an unknown online gambling player but gained recognition after scoring notable victories in online tournaments. In 2010, PokerStars invited him to become part of Team PokerStars. Buffon is known to prefer online tournaments and is often seen playing online poker under his football nickname “Gigi Buffon”.

These football legends, despite being some of the highest-paid sporting figures on the planet, have shown that their competitive spirit extends beyond the football pitch.

Their love for poker has not only provided them with a fun pastime but also allowed them to engage with their fans in a different setting.