Former Barça star swaps football for a quiet job in a store
Jérémy Mathieu, once a defender for the French national team and top European clubs, now leads a life far removed from the glamour of professional football. After hanging up his boots, he works in a sporting goods store in southern France.
Throughout his career, Mathieu played for clubs such as Toulouse, Sochaux, Valencia, and Sporting Lisbon, achieving his greatest successes at Barcelona. During his three seasons at Camp Nou, he won the Champions League, the Club World Cup, became a two-time Spanish champion, and a three-time Copa del Rey winner, playing alongside Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, and Suárez.
After retiring from top-level football in 2021, when Mathieu played in the lower French leagues, he opted for a quieter life. Now, at the age of 41, he works as a consultant in the football equipment department of an Intersport store, located between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.
His appearance in the store has sparked interest among fans—many come to chat and take photos with the former Barcelona player. In the photos, Mathieu is seen wearing the store's signature vest with a badge, performing everyday tasks, which starkly contrasts with his star-studded past.
Nevertheless, this choice does not appear to be due to financial difficulties—according to those close to him, it is more an intentional pursuit of a calmer and more normal life. Alongside his store job, Jérémy is also training to become a coach and plans to start a career in football analytics or on the bench in the future.
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
