Barcelona fans stunned at what former player Jeremy Mathieu now does as his day job as image goes viral
The former France international now lives a very different life and it's stunned fans.
Luke Davies
Barcelona fans have been left stunned after seeing what former defender Jeremy Mathieu does for a job just five years after retiring from playing.
Mathieu, 41, was a solid defender during his playing days and represented clubs such as Valencia, Barca, and Sporting CP having also made five appearances for the France national team.
His time at Camp Nou was arguably the best period of his career with the defender part of a Barca squad – alongside Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez - that won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and a Champions League.
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The Frenchman retired in 2020 after a stint at Sporting and considering the fact he played professionally for almost two decades you’d be forgiven for thinking he’d never have to work again. But this is not the case.
Usually, ex-pros either go into coaching or find themselves being part of the media but what Mathieu does is far less glamorous than the jobs mentioned.
The 41-year-old now works as a manager at French sports shop Intersport.
According to French outlet L’Equipe Mathieu works at a store located near Marseille. The outlet claims he manages a section of the shop – although he is soon due to obtain his coaching qualification.
Fans could hardly believe their eyes when an image of Mathieu did the rounds on social media.
One fan said: "He is living a low key life and did not lose all his money on drinking... So its fine let him be at peace."
Another added: "Jérémy Mathieu's life after football is a real humble reminder! Respect to him for keeping it real and grinding at Intersport."
A third commented: "Mathieu was such a solid defender it's cool to see him doing his thing in retail now."
While a fourth joked: "Bro went from winning the treble with Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, Xavi and Suarez to working a 9-5."
Reports suggest that the shop has been inundated with phone calls from fans - although they have not confirmed that the man in the photograph is officially Mathieu.
During his time at Barca he earned a reported salary of £100,000 per week, according to Capology.