Soccer players are not only some of the most skilled and gifted athletes in the world, but they also possess some of the brightest minds across any profession.
After retiring, many ex-players pursue a wide range of activities and careers, including acting, coaching, becoming sporting directors, journalists, pundits, and even entering politics.
Some soccer players venture into business, owning clubs, or attending college. But, have you ever wondered if there are soccer players who have also become medical doctors?
Although it’s uncommon, there are indeed a few soccer players who have earned medical degrees. Today, we’ll be highlighting some notable examples.
This list features soccer players who either pursued medicine during their careers or became doctors after their time on the field.
1. Kenny Deuchar
Kenny Deuchar is a retired footballer who enjoyed most of his career playing in Scotland. He began his journey in 1998 with Falkirk and later played for various clubs, including East Fife, Gretna, St Johnstone, and Hamilton Academical.
His prolific scoring ability at Gretna earned him the nickname “The Good Doctor.” During his time there, he scored 63 goals in 93 league appearances.
In 2008, Deuchar moved to the United States, joining Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer before returning to Scotland to continue his career until retiring in 2013. Besides football, Deuchar holds the unique distinction of being a practicing medical doctor. He is now a general medical practitioner in Scotland and is also married with children.
In 2011, Deuchar stepped away from soccer to complete the final qualifications necessary to become a doctor. Alongside his medical career, Deuchar also tried his hand at business, running two restaurants in Scotland—The Wheelhouse in Falkirk and The Boathouse in Kilsyth. However, the company went into liquidation in 2018, leading to the sale of both restaurants.
Throughout his soccer career, Deuchar played for numerous teams, including Falkirk, East Fife, Gretna, Northampton Town, St Johnstone, Real Salt Lake, Hamilton Academical, Livingston, and Stenhousemuir. After a brief retirement, he returned to the field to play for Arbroath for a year before retiring for good.
2. Nadia Nadim
Nadia Nadim is an Afghan-born soccer player who has represented the Danish national women’s team. Her family fled Afghanistan after her father was executed by the Taliban, seeking asylum in Denmark, where her football talent was soon discovered.
Nadim began her professional career with B52 Aalborg and went on to play for major clubs such as Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Racing Louisville FC. She has also been a key figure for the Danish national team, participating in multiple UEFA Women’s Euro tournaments and FIFA Women’s World Cups. With over 100 caps and 38 goals for Denmark, Nadim has established herself as a top player.
Currently, she plays as a striker for AC Milan in Serie A. Throughout her career, she has played for various clubs, including IK Skovbakken, Fortuna Hjorring, Portland Thorns FC, and Paris Saint-Germain. Nadim has won several league titles in America, France, and England, and is known for her exceptional penalty-taking skills.
In addition to her soccer achievements, Nadia is also a qualified medical doctor. She attended medical school at Aarhus University in Denmark, balancing her studies with her professional soccer career. By 2020, she was assisting in surgeries and officially earned her medical certification in January 2022. She specializes in reconstructive surgery and has a particular interest in helping those affected by war injuries, a reflection of her personal experiences as a refugee.
Nadim’s incredible commitment to both soccer and medicine, along with her advocacy for refugees and women’s rights, continues to inspire people worldwide. In August 2024, she also celebrated a significant personal milestone by getting married.
3. Sócrates
The late Sócrates, one of the most iconic Brazilian midfielders, is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He represented the Brazilian national team from 1979 to 1986, scoring 22 goals in 60 appearances. He captained the dazzling Brazilian squad during the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where he was known not only for his technical ability but also for his signature look and style.
Though he primarily played and coached in Brazil, Sócrates was also a qualified physician. He earned his medical degree while still playing professionally, attending the University of São Paulo’s medical school. His intelligence on and off the field earned him the nickname “Doctor Sócrates.”
He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto at the University of São Paulo in 1977. Despite the challenges of juggling a professional soccer career and medical studies, Sócrates managed to excel in both fields. After retiring from soccer, he specialized in gastroenterology and continued to practice medicine.
Beyond his medical and soccer careers, Sócrates remained an influential figure in Brazilian society, often contributing to discussions on sports, politics, and health. He practiced medicine in Ribeirão Preto until his death in 2011.
While it’s rare for professional soccer players to pursue careers in medicine, these examples show that it’s not impossible. Whether it’s through sheer determination or a passion for helping others, these players have proven that excellence on the field can be matched by brilliance in other areas of life.
FAQs
- Are there many soccer players who have become doctors? It’s relatively uncommon, but there are a few notable examples of soccer players who have pursued careers in medicine while playing or after retiring.
- Can soccer players study while playing professionally? Yes, though it requires significant dedication. Some players, like Kenny Deuchar and Sócrates, balanced their studies with their soccer careers.
- What specialties do these doctor-players pursue? The players mentioned have specialized in fields like general practice (Kenny Deuchar), reconstructive surgery (Nadia Nadim), and gastroenterology (Sócrates).
- Has Nadia Nadim retired from soccer to focus on medicine? No, Nadia Nadim continues to play professional soccer while also working as a qualified doctor.
- Did Sócrates practice medicine after his soccer career? Yes, Sócrates practiced medicine, specializing in gastroenterology, after his retirement from professional soccer.