'I scored iconic goal against Man Utd - then quit football to become a greengrocer'
Former Newcastle United star Philippe Albert scored one of the Premier League's most memorable goals but the Belgian took an unconventional path after hanging up his boots
by Tom Victor · The MirrorBelgium international Philippe Albert was one of the stars of Kevin Keegan's Newcastle squad which entertained Premier League audiences, but his post-football career took him down a different path.
Albert joined Keegan's team after impressing for his country at the 1994 World Cup, and showed how even those at the back could contribute for Keegan's attacking side. A memorable 5-0 victory over Manchester United was perhaps the prime example, with Albert embarrassing the Red Devils' legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.
Newcastle were already 4-0 up when Albert drove forward to the edge of the visitors' box. Spotting Schmeichel off his line, he dinked the ball over the Dane and into the back of the net.
Albert stayed at Newcastle a few years longer, eventually rejoining his first club Charleroi in 1999. He has picked up media work since retiring shortly before his 33rd birthday, but he's also made the unusual step of moving into the greengrocer business.
“I would prepare the produce for customers," Albert told The Guardian in 2019. "I did it for 11 years and didn’t touch the money I earned in my football career.
"Up early, finishing late, that’s what I wanted: a normal life. I’m very proud of it. Otherwise when you stop football, you do nothing. You have no life.”
He reflected further on the experience in a FourFourTwo interview in 2023. "For 11 years, before moving into television, I wanted to experience the real world," he said. "I enjoyed life, going about my business each day just like everybody else. And I love eating spinach, to stay strong, and apples."
What is the strangest post-football career you've seen a player take on? Have your say in the comments section
Albert is far from the only ex-footballer to make a significant career change after retiring. Former Premier League defender Arjan de Zeeuw became a detective after hanging up his boots, while Gavin Peacock - himself on Newcastle's books in the 90s - took on a new job as a pastor after a spell as a pundit.
While Albert has fond memories of his own move into the "real world", he also enjoys reflecting on that iconic goal against Manchester United. Even more memorably, it allowed him and his team-mates to gain revenge for the Charity Shield a few months earlier, when they suffered a defeat to the same opponents.
“In the dressing room afterwards Keegan said nothing. But when they came to St James’ Park later that year, Kevin just gave out the team sheet and said: ‘Remember Wembley'," he told The Guardian. "That was enough: we went out there and won 5-0.”
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