From Barcelona to Retail: Jeremy Mathieu’s Unexpected Career Shift

Former FC Barcelona and France defender Jeremy Mathieu is navigating a fresh chapter in his career, working at an Intersport store near Marseille, France. The 42-year-ancient’s transition from professional football to retail work has garnered attention, revealing a complex situation involving legal battles and mental health challenges.

A Champion’s New Role

Images of Mathieu working at the Intersport outlet went viral last year, sparking curiosity about his post-retirement life. He confirmed his employment at the store in a recent interview with beIN Sports, as reported by The Mirror and Express. While he once playfully claimed he took free-kicks better than Lionel Messi during their time together at Barcelona, Mathieu’s current focus is on a different kind of challenge.

Career Highlights and Retirement

Mathieu began his professional career with Sochaux, later moving to Toulouse and then Valencia in 2009, where he became a key player, making over 170 appearances. In 2014, he made a £15.8 million move to FC Barcelona, becoming part of a historic treble-winning team. His career concluded in 2020 after a stint with Sporting CP, when he was forced to retire at the age of 36, according to The Mirror.

Reasons Behind the Career Change

Mathieu’s decision to work at Intersport is linked to ongoing legal issues and a struggle with depression. “If I’m working at Intersport, it’s since something’s going on that’s causing me quite a few problems. I can only say that I’m in the middle of a lawsuit,” he explained to beIN Sports. He similarly expressed a desire to maintain a social life and find a source of income after his retirement from professional football, as detailed in Midi Libre.

A Temporary Situation

While currently employed at Intersport, Mathieu doesn’t foresee this being a permanent arrangement. He indicated that the job is a temporary measure to navigate his current difficulties, as reported by Midi Libre.

Jeremy Mathieu’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes transitioning to life after professional sports and the importance of addressing mental health concerns.