Ronaldinho and other ballers who have dabbled in rap

A non-exhaustive history of footballers taking a foray into rap, with varying success

Ronaldinho has just released the first of a series of music videos that he is reported to be planning to put out in 2021, as part of rap group Tropa do Bruxo.

The 40-year-old Brazilian legend, who was released from prison in April, doesn’t actually rap in the song, but does appear in the video (which is too raunchy for this website), where his contribution is mainly to sit there looking cool while women in bikinis twerk all around him.

In an interview with Globo, external, Ronaldinho says, "I've always enjoyed R&B, rap, hip hop, and trap has grown a lot in recent years. 

"It's a different beat that in Brazil became a thing of young people, a genre that has fewer rules, that uses social networks and platforms to its advantage."

He does have pedigree – releasing a song in 2017 called Sozinho (‘Alone’) and a song about politics that he put out in 2019.

Memphis Depay

Unlike a lot of the players mentioned in this list, the Dutch winger actually has a sort of serious music career, rather than some novelty moment of self-indulgence, never to be returned to.

He released his debut album Heavy Stepper last year, with some expensive-looking production values on the video.

Compatriot Gini Wijnaldum is a big fan.

Royston Drenthe

Remember when Dutch winger Drenthe was one of the most sought-after prospects in Europe?

In 2016, the former Feyenoord, Real Madrid and Everton starlet briefly retired – with lots of other enterprises to keep him occupied, including a record shop, clothing company, perfume store, six kids and, not least, a rap career to juggle – under the moniker Roya2Fraces. Unfortunately, he since went bankrupt!

Asamoah Gyan & Castro – African Girls

An ode to the female form in his native continent. At about 2:02, Gyan name-checks “Linda, Barbara, Monica, Jessica, Pamela, Sarah” in a style reminiscent of Lou Bega’s Mambo No.5

Morten Gamst Pederson & John Arne Riiise “Fruit is healthy and good”

A classic of the 'wholesome, educational rap' genre is "Frukt er sunt og digg!", which we think roughly translates from Norwegian as "Fruit is healthy and good". The video sees John Arne Riise and Morten Gamst Pederson discover countryman, Erik Huseklepp helping himself to pic 'n' mix and then direct him towards the fruit 'n' veg section instead.

Clint Dempsey “Thanks to Soccer, I ground more ice than a hockey skate”

A rousing rags-to-riches tale of being raised in a trailer park in a country where "soccer" was not taken seriously, "Don’t Tread" is a message about following your dreams. 

Andy Cole, "my inspiration, to celebrate life throughout the Nation"

In a much simpler time for professional football, Andy Cole broke the British transfer record in ’95 by moving from Newcastle to Manchester United for £7m. In 1999, he teamed up with Pied Piper on "Outstanding".

Ian Wright “I’ve done it once, I’ve done it twice, I’ve paid the price, my commitment’s high”

Wrighty dances around on stage in an over-sized back-to-front beret, imploring some North London kids to "do the right thing". Also look at 1:01-1:04 he addresses that awkward situation where you don't know whether you're meant to great someone with a kiss on the cheek.

Gazza, “Newcastle town, it’s Geordie brown, cheers to the lads who sup it down”

Gazza’s forgotten his t-shirt and can’t seem to decide whether to keep his jacket on in this house classic, Geordie Boys. Look at that green-screening!

Chris Waddle, “in my cradle…I kicked a ball…with great emotions I recall”

Fellow Geordie boy Chris Waddle, looking like the forgotten member of Duran Duran, proves that footballers were doing silly French accents in Marseille way before Joey Barton in this bizarre French/English, afro-inspired piano house banger.

Barnsey, “I’m an England man, I’m not a hoo-li-gan”

Obviously. No list of footballers rapping would be complete without this entry from Digger. The original. Still the best.

Article originally published 10 August 2016