Mikhail Mahailov Singing goalkeeper Date of Birth: 06.07.1959 Country: Russia

1. The Singing Goalkeeper
2. A Goalkeeper Turned Entertainer
3. The Musical Endeavors of Ruud Gullit
4. Rod Stewart: From Football Aspirations to Musical Stardom

The Singing Goalkeeper

In the world of football, fans often idolize the stars for the joy and emotions they bring through their brilliant play on the green field. These stars, in turn, are often multifaceted individuals who strive to showcase their talents beyond the football pitch. One such memorable figure in the 1980s was Mikhail Mikhailov, the former goalkeeper of Dynamo Kyiv.

A Goalkeeper Turned Entertainer

Mikhail Mikhailov surprised football fans when he appeared as a pop singer on the television show "Football Review." His music video for the song "Vchera" ("Yesterday") was showcased, and although such occurrences were rare on national television, Mikhailov's songs were quite popular on Ukrainian TV. He even released his own album and composed a song for Oleg Blokhin's farewell match in 1989, which was played at the 100,000-seat stadium while the players honored the legendary footballer.

The Musical Endeavors of Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit, the magnificent Dutch footballer, captivated the world with his skills on the football field. In his youth, Gullit played the guitar and even led a rock band for a short period, although it was not very successful. In 1988, after winning the European Championship in Germany, Gullit visited an old friend, Frank Rijkaard, who had pursued a musical career. Unbeknownst to Gullit, their impromptu jam session was recorded without his knowledge, and the crafty friend released an album featuring their musical experiments. Although the record lacked musical value, it became a huge success, causing the publisher to profit immensely. Gullit and Rijkaard, despite not receiving a share of the profits, displayed great generosity and did not make any claims.

Rod Stewart: From Football Aspirations to Musical Stardom

Rod Stewart, the Scottish rock star, was born in London after his parents moved there shortly before his birth. Like thousands of boys in the English capital, Stewart played football and dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. At the age of 14, however, everything changed when his parents gifted him a guitar. Stewart became deeply immersed in music and, although he continued to play football, his dedication shifted towards his musical pursuits. At 17, he left his football club and embarked on a journey across Europe, working as a musician in restaurants and bars along the way. While it is uncertain if Stewart would have achieved great success as a footballer, his career in show business flourished. Over the years, he released dozens of albums, and his lyrical composition "Sailing" became one of the most popular hits of the mid-70s. He later achieved even greater acclaim with the new wave-style hit "Do You Think I'm Sexy."

In a recent interview, the renowned musician revealed that he had accomplished much in life but had failed to fulfill one of his cherished dreams. It is not difficult to guess what that dream was: to step onto the football field wearing the dark blue jersey of the Scottish national team, a team he still passionately supports even today.