Sports legends who transitioned to government roles

Have you ever heard of athletes who, after achieving success in sports and bringing fame to their countries, went on to become presidents or hold significant government positions? QALAMPIR.UZ's analytical article highlights such individuals and their journeys.

George Weah

The only African footballer to win the Ballon d’Or, George Weah played for clubs like Monaco, PSG, and AC Milan during his career. After retiring from football, he was elected President of Liberia in the 2017 elections, years after ending his sports career. At the time of his presidency, Liberia was facing economic challenges. Weah initiated projects to build new roads, modernize schools and hospitals, and launched the "Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development." He also advocated for free education in public schools and introduced conditional scholarship programs for students. After years of service, Weah stepped down following the 2024 presidential elections.

Mikheil Kavelashvili

Meet Mikheil Kavelashvili, the current President of Georgia, who once played football alongside Uzbek legend Mirjalol Qosimov at Russia’s Alania club. Kavelashvili also played for Manchester City during his career. After retiring, he entered politics in Georgia, becoming a Member of Parliament in 2016. Initially a member of the ruling "Georgian Dream" party, he later joined the opposition and co-founded the "People’s Power" movement. In the December 14, 2024, elections, Kavelashvili was elected President of Georgia, securing 224 votes as the sole candidate. His inauguration took place on December 29, 2024, marking the beginning of his term as Georgia’s 6th president.

Kakha Kaladze

A two-time UEFA Champions League winner with AC Milan, Kakha Kaladze is now the Mayor of Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. After retiring from football, Kaladze transitioned into government roles, serving as Georgia’s Minister of Energy and Deputy Prime Minister from 2012 to 2017. In 2017, he was appointed Mayor of Tbilisi, a position he continues to hold.

Vitali Klitschko

A former heavyweight boxing world champion, Vitali Klitschko transitioned into politics after his successful sports career. Since 2014, he has served as the Mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. Klitschko is also the leader of the UDAR party, which stands for the "Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform."

Manny Pacquiao

An eight-division world boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao entered politics after retiring from sports. He became a Senator in the Philippines and actively participated in the country’s political landscape. In 2022, Pacquiao ran for the presidency but did not win the election.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

A seven-time Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champion and Hollywood actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger entered politics in 2003. Representing the Republican Party, he was elected Governor of California, a role he held until 2011.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco

A legendary Mexican footballer, Cuauhtémoc Blanco transitioned into politics after retiring from sports. From 2016 to 2018, he served as the Mayor of Cuernavaca. Since 2018, he has been the Governor of Morelos State in Mexico.

Pelé

Known as the "King of Football," Pelé won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil. After retiring, he served as Brazil’s Minister of Extraordinary Sports from 1995 to 1998, contributing to the country’s sports development.

Romário

Another Brazilian football legend, Romário won the FIFA World Cup with the national team in 1994. After retiring, he served as a federal deputy from 2011 to 2015 and has been a Senator for Rio de Janeiro since 2015.

Conor McGregor

A former two-division UFC champion and a star in mixed martial arts, Conor McGregor has shown interest in politics even before retiring from sports. Recently, during a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, McGregor expressed his intention to run for the presidency of Ireland.