The Soccer Player Who Has the Best Chance of Becoming a Hollywood Star Next
Throughout the 2026 World Cup, several soccer stars have been showcasing their talents on the world stage for fans who may not get to see them play otherwise.
A few fan favorites are Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland. They all have a huge social media presence and have added to their massive following over the last few weeks. Now, former USMNT goalkeeper and current ESPN analyst Kasey Keller is sharing which player he thinks could transition into a career in Hollywood after they hang up their cleats.
In an interview with Ozoon about the FIFA World Cup, Keller said, “It depends on personality. Messi doesn’t have the personality for that. I don’t watch French TV, so I don’t know if Mbappe is that guy either. I think Lamine Yamal has a chance. The fact that he is still 18, about to turn 19, is frightening. Let’s see how he matures.”
Keller added, “Ronaldo is completely different to how he was in those early Man United days, compared to the time he left Real Madrid, and he was Cristiano right. I think what’s happening now is because of social media, you don’t have to be a big star to have a big media presence. You can just show I have a knack for this, this is something that I like doing, and something that I am good at.
“Take guys like Peter Crouch, for example, he kind of had a pretty cool transition from playing because of what they were able to do where you didn’t have that access years before. Somebody had to make a decision that you could do that. Now you can make that decision yourself, and if you do a good job, it can have a life on its own.”
Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate, Giuseppe Rossi, believes that CR7 could have a future in Hollywood and even play the next villian in a Batman flick.
Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Rossi told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “[Ronaldo] is made for LA. He’d be perfect for LA. I think he has the aura. He’s got the fans. I think it would be an easy transition for him.
“He likes the spotlight, so why not take advantage of it and go into a world that’s kind of similar to professional sports and see how it goes. I’m very curious to see him as an actor. He would definitely be the villain in something. Let’s make him the Joker in the next Batman.”
Former soccer player turned actor Frank Leboeuf interviewed Ronaldo several years back and asked him what he thought about getting into acting.
Ronaldo said that he was open to the idea. Leboeuf has one piece of advice for him if he does decide to go that route.
Speaking on behalf of CSB, Leboeuf told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “Cristiano Ronaldo will be a great actor if he does one thing right … If he wants to do it, I have advice for him: Do acting courses. Don’t think you’re an actor just like that. He’s been the best example of working hard to become one of the best football players in the world. So, in order to become an actor, you also have to work.”
