Footballers' Lives is a British sports magazine documentary series which gives exclusive insight into the lives of some of the football world's biggest stars, getting up close and personal with these stars as they prepared for the biggest tournament of their lives: the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The series aired in the UK on Sky 268 from 19 June, 2010. There are 13 half-hour episodes in the series.
The series originally aired in South Africa on SABC3 from 27 April to 20 July, 2012, on Fridays at 21h10. New episodes broadcast weekly. It later aired on TopTV's Top One channel. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Footballers' Lives premiered on Top One on Saturday 10 August 2013, at 20h00. New episodes broadcast weekly.
Synopsis
Football is by far the world's highest-profile sport and public fascination in developments on and off the field can often cross the line of obsession.
Fuelled by big money, ego and high expectations, major controversy has become a recurring theme in football... and the stakes are high.
Footballers' Lives explores the real-life melodrama that has become a by-product of "the beautiful game". It compiles a steaming cauldron of stories from the boardroom to the bedroom, detailing the unique lives led by those in the high life of the sporting elite.
Episodes
Episode 1: Highest Paid Players
A full feature on Cristiano Ronaldo on and off the pitch, along with a top 10 countdown of the world's highest paid players.
David Beckham is the most marketable player in the game and we cover his relationship with pop star Victoria Beckham along with US Sporting royalty Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra.
Petr Cech is one of the world's best goalkeepers, as we take a look at the injury that nearly ended his career and his efforts to one day be good enough to play the drums in front of a crowd of people.
Jose Mourinho is a character on and off the pitch and in this episode we look at how he has influenced the game with his own philosophies.
Jose Luis Chilavert completes the episode; the goalkeeper was one of the greatest characters in South American football.
Episode 2: Most Popular Cars for Footballers
John Terry has a full feature on his career and his relationships with family and newspaper slander, and we countdown the Top 10 most popular cars for footballers to own, they're not all as flashy as you'd think.
We delve into of one of the greatest rivalries on earth with Barcelona and Real Madrid, the minds that drive it, and how a player, coach or executives character can change when involved in it.
We look at the efforts of Didier Drogba to restore peace to his home nation.
George Best is a legend of the game, and a marker of what can happen when a players' personal life interferes with their football, especially when the press gets involved...
Episode 3: Most Handsome Players
Rio Ferdinand has been known as a carouser, but his charity efforts of late can improve even the most dubious of references. The Top 10 most handsome players at the 2010 World Cup feature, as we take a look at the faces that mark the pinnacle of the players appeal off the pitch.
Ji Sung Park is as big a star in Korea that you'll find anywhere, and Cesc Fabregas' stardom has only just begun.
Iker Casillas has a heart of gold when it comes to helping the needy as we turn to charity, before delving into the Munich Air disaster that shook the world of football and the history of Manchester United, so shaping the clubs personality to this day.
Episode 4: Players of the Century
Carlos Tevez is a fiery player on the pitch, but it's his temperament off of it that drives our feature, as we go on to look at the best players to ever play the game, the men that drove the interest in football and their lives.
Wives and Girlfriends, or WAGS as their colloquially know, do they really deserve the stereotype the media inflicts on them, and the on again off again relationship between Ashley Cole and pop star Cheryl Tweedy.
Robin Van Persie maintains a squeaky clean image on the pitch but do his off the pitch affairs support the claim, and Joey Bartons reputation certainly precedes him, but how the fallen get back on their feet, from scoundrel to philosopher.
The show ends with Pepe Reina however, a family first player but known as a hunk in some circles.
Episode 5: Controversial Tweets
Emmanuel Adebayor has been through some of the toughest ordeals possible for not only a footballer but a person also, and the top 10 most controversial tweets by players, how twitter has revolutionised interaction with the fans.
The spats that shook the game, it's not all roses and champagne when a squad is thrown together, and celebrity couples, multimillion album sales and a world cup winner, Shakira and Gerard Pique.
Craig Bellamy has certainly had his fair share of controversies, but being a footballer also makes you a target for criminals, and Pele the greatest player of the 20th century.
Episode 6: Most Profitable Clubs (Deloitte Rankings)
The top 10 most profitable clubs according to Deloitte gives some insight into how players can live such lavish lifestyles, and another celebrity pairing, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard and British TV presenter Christine Bleakley.
Possibly the greatest player of the 21st century, Lionel Messi tells us what it was like to leave his home country at such a young age and to battle with a medical condition that threatens a players' future.
One of the biggest draws of David Beckham for the media is his hair as we look at the good, the bad, and the ugly.
What can a goal do for a footballer? Results are what matters when a player sets out on their quest for success. But casualties can always happen, for some players, football is all they know, and for Paul Gascoigne, a life without football was like a life without air.
Episode 7: Most Beautiful WAGS
Fernando Torres is a marquee player for club and country, but it's his love for his family and his dogs that keep him out of the public eye, and we countdown the Top 10 most beautiful WAGS to grace the game.
Some young guns that are currently being thrust head first into the media include Jack Wilshire, the footballing pedigree of Javier Hernandez and Mario Balotelli, a possible poster boy of the game, if he can ever get his playboy ways under control.
Yaya, Kolo and Ibrahim Toure sum up one footballing family, with success and scandal on and off the pitch.
And we take a look at the MLS, a stamping ground for old greats looking to extend their career, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Freddie Ljungberg and the old master Pele.
Episode 8: Holiday Destinations for Footballers
We count down the Top 10 Holiday destinations for footballers, and Horse Racing, the sport of kings, and as it turns out footballers too, with Sir Alex Ferguson, Michael Owen and Joey Barton all involved at the paddock.
The long and illustrious career of Ryan Giggs features, covering his transition from premier league poster boy to old master of the game with a full career at the highest level.
Cristiano Ronaldo is rich, good looking and a very talented player, but what makes him tick, a documentary has been made just to showcase where it comes from.
With Peter Crouch and Abby Clancy in the celebrity couples feature, and the Richest Owners, not all football revenue comes from inside the game.
Episode 9: Footballer Career Quotes
The Top 10 Footballers quotes cover how in depth a footballer can get in their career, with managers and players lives revolving around what is seen by many as just a game.
A feature on Gareth Bale takes top billing, perhaps he's the new Ryan Giggs, all the qualities are there of a welsh wing wizard.
Steven Gerrard and Alex Curran are royality in the football world, and Jose Mourinho's personal side. What does he do when he's not making war with the opposition's manager?
And a special look into what happens when the game ends; Ooh Aah Cannestona covers Eric Cantona and a life after football in cinema.
Episode 10: Hobbies for Footballers
The Top 10 Unusual Hobbies for Footballers, looks at some of the strange activities the players participate in when they're not playing the game.
A feature on Iker Casillas asks him the important questions about his career, how he got into the game, and what he would still like to achieve.
Wayne and Coleen Rooney are always the centre of attention both on and off the pitch, but their relationship is proving its worth… especially in fashion, Coleen has done her bit for the WAGS with their own fashion lines.
And Sergio Ramos tells us how the spotlight of the football pitch doesn't necessarily mean the players have to take the spotlight off of it.
Episode 11: Transfer Fees
We countdown the Top 10 Transfer Fees in football, counting down a players' worth in numbers...
Zlatan Ibrahimovic gives an interview where he tells us where he came from, what drew him to the beautiful game, and how he became the player he is today.
Samir Nasri and tennis player Tatiani Golovin are a sporting couple that escape the centre of the media spotlight, but they are still well within the public eye...
We take a look at Harry Redknapp, his roots and future in the game, with a special look into the sporting pedigree he's a part of and where some would say began.
And Arjen Robben, a quiet man of the game, but who wouldn't be when family is so important.
Episode 12: The Richest Footballers on the Planet
We countdown the richest men in the games world. Huge salaries, endorsements and sponsorships deals all come in a days work for these cashed up footballers.
We feature Tottenham Hotspurs striker Jermaine Defoe and his string of past beauties.
We take a look at Manchester City and the issues facing the world's richest club.
Lastly, we delve into Sir Alex Ferguson's 25 years at Manchester United and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's frugal transfer policy.
Episode 13: Tattooed Footballers
We look at a trend flowing through the veins of the footballing community, tattoos.
Glitz, glamour and red carpets, we countdown the world's hottest football couples.
We celebrate the colourful careers of Frank Worthington and Simon Jordan.
And we focus on some past masters of the game, Ronaldo and Teddy Sheringham.
Seasons
Season 1 (13 episodes)
Channel: SABC3 | Premiere: 27 Apr 2012 | Finale: 20 Jul 2012 | Fri, 21h10
Channel: Top One | Premiere: 10 Aug 2013 | Finale: 2 Nov 2013 | Sat, 20h00