8 footballers who became politicians and how they performed

One of the most divisive and politically charged events in Georgian modern history is undoubtedly the ascent of Mikheil Kavelashvili to the presidency of the country.

This occurred after the Georgian Dream party's nomination of him as the sole candidate—a vote boycotted by opposing parties. These parties have been denigrating the current legislature as illegitimate since October 2024, claiming electoral irregularities, including double voting and bribery.

Kavelashvili set football grounds alight all across Europe during the mid-1990s.

He made his political debut in 2016 with the Georgian Dream party, which billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who has greatly altered the political scene in Georgia by his pro-Russian posture and great fortune, created. Kavelashvili was instrumental in starting People's Power, a movement known for its anti-Western posture and close ties to Moscow.

There are growing worries that Kavelashvili's leadership marks a turn towards authoritarianism and more reliance on Russian interference.

Echoing Kremlin policies, the introduction of divisive "foreign agent" rules marks a major turning point in his presidency, hence strengthening claims that his government is suppressing opposition and compromising democratic values. Public view on Kavelashvili's presidency has become clearly divided.

Night after night, citizens have been gathering in the streets to express their displeasure over the government's decision to postpone Georgia's EU admission negotiations until 2028.

Following an outstanding football career that saw him awarded Africa's best player and make history as the first African to win the Ballon d'Or in 1995, George Weah entered the political scene and finally rose to the presidency of Liberia.

After losing his first presidential run to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005, he persisted and finally won remarkably in 2017. This success strongly sapped from his on-field fame.

He connected with Liberia's need for a unified leader able to heal the wounds created by years of civil war.

Although Weah made great achievements in infrastructure development and youth employment, an inability to solve ingrained poverty and systematic corruption attracted major criticism for his government.

The COVID-19 epidemic made these problems more difficult and exposed his leadership's shortcomings.

Notwithstanding these obstacles, Weah's well-known reputation as a football player turned statesman and his continuing appeal to Liberia's young people guaranteed that his legacy—though controversial—remained a source of inspiration for those who followed his path from the streets of Monrovia to celebrity.

Considered the best footballer in history, Pelé, sometimes known as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, enjoyed an amazing career on the pitch, before venturing into politics and becoming Brazil's Minister of Sports under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso from 1995 to 1998.

Using his global profile, he sought to promote changes that would improve Brazilian football administration and help young athletes in the country.

Among Pelé's significant presidential successes was the passage of the "Pelé Law." Supported by him in Congress, this major reform sought to address the pervasive corruption in Brazilian football by improving club management's openness and preservation of professional players's rights.

His political legacy highlights the ambition and difficulties in transforming athletic brilliance into constructive government. But it also defines him in terms of the challenges he faced during his tenure as minister, usually hampered by strong bureaucracy and powerful football business interests.

Hakan Şükür, top scorer for Turkey and praised as a national hero for his extraordinary achievements in Turkish football, had a drastic career change in 2011 when he joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

However, his political ambitions were rapidly eclipsed by his dubious relationships with Fethullah Gülen, a cleric eventually linked to the 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Driven by his support of Gülen, Şükür resigned from the AKP in 2015 and started to express worries about the party's developing autocratic policies.

Not long later, he left Turkey, fearing for his safety and the progressively hostile political environment.

He transitioned from a revered figure to a cautionary tale, highlighting the perils of maneuvering through the national political landscape.

During his exile in the US, the Turkish government pursued him assiduously, issuing arrest warrants, grabbing his assets, and wiping his achievements off official records.

Former Brazilian striker Romário de Souza Faria became renowned worldwide after guiding his country to a 1994 FIFA World Cup triumph. Now a politician, a fervent supporter of underprivileged groups, a promoter of better healthcare, education, and anti-corruption policies, and a Rio de Janeiro senator since 2014, Romário has devoted his legislative work to better the lot of people with disabilities.

His father's experience of welcoming a daughter with Down syndrome drives his own affinity to this subject.

Romário is well-known for his audacious style and relentless criticism of the Brazilian football association. Emphasising extreme corruption and acting as a fervent advocate of responsibility and openness in both politics and sports, he has made severe accusations against the federation. This position has gained him immense respect even amid sporadic controversy.

Albert Guðmundsson was Minister of Finance from 1959 until 1965, supporting projects meant to modernise the Icelandic economy and draw foreign capital.

Not only was he a prominent political person, but he also made his name as one of Iceland's first professional football players for elite teams, including Arsenal and AC Milan.

Still, his tenure in power came under fire for seeming to support aristocratic interests rather than those of common people.

Guðmundsson might have generated controversy, but his pioneering work in politics and football still remains a big point of pride for Icelandic history.

He personifies the ability to combine several professions, thus producing a revolutionary effect that transcends boundaries.

Celebrated as Ukraine's best football player and a Ballon d'Or recipient, Andriy Shevchenko—as ambassador to peace among the Russo-Ukrainian War—showcased the tremendous influence sports idols may have in the spheres of international politics and humanitarian efforts.

Though Shevchenko's political career was brief, his contributions at a pivotal junctural event in Ukraine's history demonstrated his dedication to using his platform to bring about constructive change.

After this he returned to football management.