10 Famous Soccer Players Who Went To College 

Vincent Kompany soccer players who want to college
(Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

Soccer is a physically and mentally demanding sport that usually takes up almost all the time of a soccer player.

It’s not uncommon to find most soccer players who didn’t attend college or university due to the lack of time they have to pursue higher educational qualifications.

A few players, however, bucked this trend and were able to juggle their time to attain a university degree. Today, you will learn about the 10 famous soccer players who went to college.

1. Andrey Arshavin

Apart from being a highly skillful and accomplished player, the ex-Russian international is also quite an expert in fashion. 

During his playing career, Arshavin was able to get a degree in Fashion Design from a university in his native Russia.

The former Arsenal FC star is also a writer who has published several books on the subject of style and fashion.

2. Shaka Hislop

Hislop is a former Trinidad and Tobago international goalkeeper who played for various clubs in the English Premier League around the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Apart from being a decent shot-stopper, Shaka also got a college degree during his playing career. 

He earned a scholarship to play soccer at Howard University in America, where he graduated with honors with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

3. Juan Mata

Juan Mata footballers who could be retiring in 2023
(Photo by Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images)

Juan Mata is among the most successful players in soccer and also one of the most educated soccer players.

The Galatasaray midfielder is a highly-educated scholar.

The 34-year-old has two bachelor’s degrees from the Universidad Camilo Jose Cela in Madrid. One is in Sports Science, and the other in Marketing.

He earned both degrees while he was playing for Valencia and Chelsea. 

Juan Mata is also business-savvy, as he is one of the owners of Spanish club Real Oviedo.

The Spaniard is also one of the soccer players who own a restaurant.

4. Taiwo Awoniyi

Taiwo Awoniyi soccer players who went to college

Awoniyi is a Nigerian international currently on the books of Premier League side Nottingham Forest. 

The 26-year-old striker is not just a goal-getter on the pitch but one of it as well.

Taiwo recently concluded his degree program at Buckinghamshire University in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a degree in Business Management.

5. Vincent Kompany

Vincent Kompany soccer players who want to college
(Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

The Burnley coach is not only one of the best up-and-coming soccer managers right now but is also one of the most educated soccer players.

Vincent Kompany completed his graduation from Alliance Manchester Business School and then proceeded to get a Master’s in Business Administration in 2017.

In 2019, the University of Manchester awarded the Belgian with an honorary doctorate degree.

6. Fikayo Tomori

Fikayo Tomori best defenders in Serie A
(Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images)

Tomori is a Canadian-born English player of Nigerian descent.

The 25-year-old center-back plays for Italian side AC Milan.

Asides from playing soccer, Tomori pursued a degree in Business Management from the Open University in 2020.

7. Giorgio Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini
(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The pleasant and friendly ex-Italy international is also highly educated.

The Euro 2020 winner has a degree in Economics and Commerce from Turin University, which he obtained in 2010.

Despite a hectic football schedule with the Azzurri and his club side Juventus. Chiellini is also pursuing a master’s degree.

8. Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku football players without tattoos

The Belgian forward is not just one of the famous soccer players with a college degree but probably one of the smartest.

Lukaku is a natural linguist, speaking as many as five languages, including English, Spanish, Dutch, French, and Portuguese.

The Inter Milan striker is also said to understand German and Swahili, as well as hold a degree in tourism and public relations.

9. Simon Mignolet

Simon Mignolet

Just like his fellow Belgian teammate Lukaku, Simon Mignolet is also one of the most educated and well-spoken soccer players.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper can speak Dutch, English, French, German, and Flemish.

In addition, Mignolet holds a degree in Political Science and Law which he obtained from the Catholic University of Leuven. 

Simon Mignolet currently plays as a goalkeeper for Club Brugge in the Belgian league.

10. Gerard Piqué

Gerrard Pique bought Andorra FC

The former Barcelona soccer player was a successful player during his playing days.

He won a plethora of trophies with both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

However, Gerard Piqué was also known for dabbling into other interests, such as business and entrepreneurship.

He is now of the few soccer players who own soccer clubs.

Piqué also has a master’s degree in business from Harvard University, 

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