Gordon Ramsay Almost Became A Soccer Player Instead Of A World-Famous Chef

Had Gordon Ramsay's youthful wishes come true, the host of "Next Level Chef," "Master Chef," and "Hell's Kitchen" would have been the next David Beckham instead of a celebrity chef and restaurant mogul. Young Ramsay was a skilled athlete and he had set his sights on a soccer career. He turned to the sport at a young age, after his uncle brought him to his first game (via GOAL). The history is a bit hazy, but the gist of it is that Ramsay played for Oxford United until joining the Scottish Premier League's Glasgow Rangers at age 15. The TV star has said that playing for the Rangers was "hard and very stressful," and he added that he was "petrified most of the time."

Unfortunately, Ramsay's budding soccer career screeched to a halt when he suffered a serious knee injury. But his sports career may have been heading for failure without the knee injury, as his former teammate, Rangers star Derek Ferguson, described Ramsay as being difficult to engage with. He states, "You couldn't get a peep out of him," per Daily Record.  The now outspoken TV star barely interacted with his teammates, according to Ferguson. 

The notorious British tabloids have insinuated that Gordon Ramsay exaggerates his career to publicize his culinary empire. However, according to the Daily Star, the former soccer player insists any deviation from the truth about his sports career is the result of it having occurred a quarter century ago. In a YouTube video, Ramsay reminisces about the sport, revisits the Rangers' iconic stadium, wistfully returns to the clubhouse, and later cooks with the team.

The Guardian insinuates Ramsay may be concocting a "porky pie" (Cockney slang for lie) when he speaks of his soccer-playing days. However, even as the veracity of his Glasgow Rangers time is debated by incendiary newspapers, Ramsay's athletic ability is undeniable. He has participated in marathons, ultra-marathons, and Ironman competitions. Whether or not his soccer career is slightly embellished, Ramsay's description of it and the relationship to his culinary stardom shows his attachment to the sport. As quoted in Parade, he says, "I still love football, though, and I think cooking is like football. It's not a job, it's a passion."

The end of Ramsay's football career bounced him, essentially, into celebrity chef-dom, and as of 2022, Parade reports he owns 58 restaurants. Of course, he still loves football, and that love was on full display during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He showcased five recipes he created for the event, including Apple Cider Sangria, Frites Mayo, Banofee Trifle Cups, Savory Crepes, and Bife À Cavalo.

Ramsay has been an avid competitor in Soccer Aid for UNICEF, the number-one celebrity football event. Playing for Rest of the World v. England in 2012, his team lost and the chef was stretchered out with a back injury, while Will Ferrell limped off with a knee issue. 

While sports may not be Ramsay's best talent, his paycheck is up there with some of the biggest football players in the world. Wealthy Gorilla lists him as the world's third wealthiest celebrity chef, having banked $220 million. According to GOAL, Ramsay's net worth has even surpassed all but three soccer stars: Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Messi, the wealthiest player, who is said to be worth over $620 million.