Divorce simply means to break away, leave or get seperated from a partner to whom one has been married to.
Divorce is never an easy process and can be very difficult especially for those who have amassed considerable wealth and assets throughout their careers.
Football players in particular are often faced with mind blowing and lucrative contracts, sponsorship deals, not excluding financial commitments that often result in multi-million dollar fortunes.
Unfortunately, some of these football players have devastatingly and unavoidably lost half of their amassed fortune to their ex-wives during divorce proceedings.
In this article, Cruise Sports take an educative look on top 5 footballers who have experienced this unfortunate outcome.
1) Thierry Henry
Former Arsenal legend and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is one of the greatest footballers to have ever grqed the field having won numerous titles and merited awards throughout his outstanding career.
However, his marriage to ex-wife who was a British model and television personality Claire Mary ended in 2007 after just four years in matrimony.
Due to this divorce, Claire Mary reportedly received half of Henry's fortune, although still yet undisclosed is believed to be around a whooping £8 million.
2) Ray Parlor
Obviously the second Arsenal player to make the list.
Former Arsenal midfield mastero Ray Parlor was known for his tenacity and ability to do the dirty work on the pitch.
Unfortunately, Parlor marriage wasn't a huge success as his divorce from wife Karen in 2004 was equally bitter.
The former lovebirds reportedly spent over £500,000 in legal fees.
Also, Karen received half of Parlor's £10 million fortune, which included a £2.5 million mansion in London.
3) Michael Owen
Michael Owen who is ranked one of the most prolific and dangerously endowed goalscorers in English Premier League history.
However, the former Liverpool, Manchester united and Real Madrid player although enjoyed a successful career did not enjoy quite a wonderful marriage.
In 2019, Owen divorced from his wife Louise Bonsall.
The couple who have been in matrimony for 17 years and had four children together.
Owen net worth was estimated to be at about £50 million, but due to the divorce, he reportedly lost half his fortune to his ex-wife.
4) Jamie Redknapp
The list is sure dominated by mieldfielders🤣🤣🤣
Former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfield mastero, Jamie Redknapp is another footballer who has lost half of his fortune to his ex-wife.😭
Redknapp and his wife Louise, who had a lengthy 19-year marriage,.were blessed with two children.
However, their marriage did not go quite well as it ended in divorce in 2017, with Louise receiving half of Redknapp's estimated £15 million fortune.
5) Ryan Giggs
Former Manchester United mieldfielder and Welsh national, Ryan Giggs is also regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Unfortunately, his personal life has been overshadowed by a lot of scandals and controversy.
Ryan Giggs was once accused of having an affair with his brother's wife.
Giggs divorced his wife Stacey Cook after a quite lengthy 10 years of marriage in 2017.
The couple had two children together and Giggs reportedly lost half of his estimated £40 million fortune in the divorce settlement.
6) Ashley Cole
Former Arsenal, Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole is another footballer who has lost a significant portion of his fortune to his ex-wife.
Cole and his wife Cheryl had.a short lived marriage of four years when they announced their separation in 2010.
Cheryl who is a successful pop star received half of Cole's estimated £15 million fortune in a divorce settlement.
In conclusion, these football players may have lost half of their hard earned fortune to their ex-wives due to divorce, it does not change the fact that these footballers have continued to enjoy successful careers both on and off the football world and are among the most famous and respected players in the beautiful round leather game.