Victor Wanyama calls on players to build lasting value beyond the pitch
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 18.07.26. | 08:03
The now retired midfield maestro urged players to pursue education and build careers beyond the pitch, warning that too many former players struggle financially after their playing days end
Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has urged footballers to invest wisely and prepare for life after retirement.
The midfield maestro urged players to pursue education and build careers beyond the pitch, warning that too many former players struggle financially after their playing days end.
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It is not uncommon to hear stories of retired footballers. who, despite enjoying successful playing careers and earning substantial incomes, end up living difficult lives after hanging up their boots. Wanyama believes proper financial planning, education, and surrounding oneself with the right people can help players avoid that fate.
Having successfully transitioned into life after football himself, the former Harambee Stars captain is already charting a new path. He is currently working on launching the Victor Wanyama Academy, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of football talent while remaining actively involved in the sport that defined his career.
"The little I can tell players is to be smart and to always keep a great team around them; people who will help you in terms of investment and career growth, because I believe that there is life after football," Wanyama said. "Whatever you earn, do not just throw away your money. Remember that you need to be ready for life after football. So, save your money, and make sure to invest wisely."
Wanyama also encouraged active footballers to take advantage of educational opportunities while they are still playing, noting that retirement from competitive football does not necessarily mark the end of a career in the sport.
"When you finish playing football, your footballing career is not over because there is a lot in football. Continue taking your education seriously. There are a lot of programs to learn from: coaching courses, agency courses, sports law and governance, etc. So, try to do something and make sure you stay in football. I believe that when your time on the pitch is over, you can still make an impact off the pitch,” he added.
Wanyama speaks from experience after enjoying one of the most distinguished careers ever by a Kenyan footballer.
His breakthrough in Europe came with Scottish giants Celtic between 2011 and 2013, where he won two Scottish Premier League titles and a Scottish Cup. During his time in Glasgow, he etched his name into history by scoring the decisive header in Celtic's famous 2-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Barcelona in 2012, becoming the first Kenyan to score in Europe's elite club competition.
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His performances earned him a £12.5 million move to Southampton in 2013, making him the first Kenyan to feature in the English Premier League. Across three seasons on the south coast, Wanyama established himself as one of the league's most commanding defensive midfielders.
In 2016, he reunited with manager Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur, where he made more than 90 appearances and played a key role in the club's midfield during one of the most successful periods in its recent history. He was also part of the Spurs squad that reached the 2019 UEFA Champions League final.
Wanyama later moved to Major League Soccer side CF Montreal in 2020 as a Designated Player, captaining the Canadian club and helping them lift the Voyageurs Cup. He rounded off his playing career with a brief spell at Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic.