Playing professional football offers a limited window of opportunity, with many athletes retiring in their early 30s.

However, retirement doesn't signal the end of earning potential, especially with the significant influence footballers wield on social media. With footballers ranking among the highest-earning athletes on social media, some experts from Ticketgum explored how retired footballers could monetise their substantial social media presence.

In order to commission this rearch, the experts collated a seed list of the top players who retired over the past year and acquired their estimated earnings per Instagram post, utilising Influencer Marketing Hub’s social media earnings calculator.

Here are some key findings:

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic could earn a staggering £160,537 per Instagram post after retiring!

• Gareth Bale ranks second with a single post worth up to a possible £133,031 on Instagram

• Eden Hazard’s earnings per post are potentially nearly double Brits' average annual pay (£35k) at £69,016

Swedish football legend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, dominates the list, commanding an extraordinary £160,537 expected earnings per Instagram post, a testament to his massive and devoted follower base.

Following closely in second place, the former Welsh captain, Gareth Bale could rake in an impressive £133,031 for each Instagram post, showcasing his enduring popularity even after retiring from professional football.

With a rich history of 16 years and over 700 matches played, former Chelsea player Eden Hazard maintains a robust social media presence, and could potentially earn a notable £69,016 for every Instagram post.

Mesut Ozil, the Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, and who recently went viral for his impressive body transformation, could be earning up to £68,266 by keeping his fans up-to-date on Instagram.

From Ibrahimovic's wit to Bale's behind-the-scenes glimpses and Hazard's playful moments, the players strategically leveraged their social media presence, turning it into a lucrative source of income and reaffirming their status as influential figures even after leaving the pitch.