• Manny Pacquiao in action against Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty
    Manny Pacquiao in action against Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty
  • The boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is now a senator in the Philippines. AFP
    The boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is now a senator in the Philippines. AFP
  • Heavyweight boxing great Vitali Klitschko. Getty
    Heavyweight boxing great Vitali Klitschko. Getty
  • Vitali Klitschko became the major of Kiev. AFP
    Vitali Klitschko became the major of Kiev. AFP
  • Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. AFP
    Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. AFP
  • Mohammad Azharuddin (back) is joined by his wife Sangeeta and former teammate Kapil Dev as he campaigns for the Congress party in 2009. He became a member of Parliament. AFP
    Mohammad Azharuddin (back) is joined by his wife Sangeeta and former teammate Kapil Dev as he campaigns for the Congress party in 2009. He became a member of Parliament. AFP
  • Sebastian Coe crosses the line to break the world mile record in the IAAF Dubai Golden Mile at Bislett Stadium on July 17, 1979 in Oslo, Norway. Getty
    Sebastian Coe crosses the line to break the world mile record in the IAAF Dubai Golden Mile at Bislett Stadium on July 17, 1979 in Oslo, Norway. Getty
  • Sebastian Coe became a politician with the Conservative party in the UK. Getty
    Sebastian Coe became a politician with the Conservative party in the UK. Getty
  • Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan celebrates after taking the wicket of Richard Illingworth of England to win the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia in 1992. Allsport
    Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan celebrates after taking the wicket of Richard Illingworth of England to win the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia in 1992. Allsport
  • Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Getty
    Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Getty
  • Mexican Ana Guevara after winning the 400m during the Herculis Golden League at the Louis II stadium in Monaco in 2001. AFP
    Mexican Ana Guevara after winning the 400m during the Herculis Golden League at the Louis II stadium in Monaco in 2001. AFP
  • Ana Gabriela Guevara, director of Mexico's National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport.
    Ana Gabriela Guevara, director of Mexico's National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport.
  • Tanni Grey-Thompson of Great Britain wins the Women's 100m T-53 Final during the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Getty
    Tanni Grey-Thompson of Great Britain wins the Women's 100m T-53 Final during the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Getty
  • Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
    Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
  • Menzies Campbell wins the 220 yards final at the AAA Championships at White City, London, in 1964. Getty
    Menzies Campbell wins the 220 yards final at the AAA Championships at White City, London, in 1964. Getty
  • Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats Menzies Campbell. Getty
    Former Leader of the Liberal Democrats Menzies Campbell. Getty
  • George Weah of AC Milan in action during a Serie A match against Verona in 1996. Allsport
    George Weah of AC Milan in action during a Serie A match against Verona in 1996. Allsport
  • George Weah, President of Liberia. AFP
    George Weah, President of Liberia. AFP
  • Brazil legend Romario in action against Holland in the 1994 World Cup finals in Dallas, USA. Getty
    Brazil legend Romario in action against Holland in the 1994 World Cup finals in Dallas, USA. Getty
  • Former Brazilian football star and current senator Romario. AFP
    Former Brazilian football star and current senator Romario. AFP
  • American wrestler Jesse Ventura at a WWF championship. Getty
    American wrestler Jesse Ventura at a WWF championship. Getty
  • Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in 2001. Newsmakers
    Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in 2001. Newsmakers
  • Austrian born former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger around 1980. Getty
    Austrian born former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger around 1980. Getty
  • The Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger watches The Changing of the Guard ceremony at Wellington Barracks in London in 2010. Getty
    The Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger watches The Changing of the Guard ceremony at Wellington Barracks in London in 2010. Getty
  • Guard Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns against the Chicago Bulls in 1996. Getty
    Guard Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns against the Chicago Bulls in 1996. Getty
  • Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson in 2015. Reuters
    Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson in 2015. Reuters
  • Brazil football legend Pele at the World Cup final in Mexico City in 1970. AFP
    Brazil football legend Pele at the World Cup final in Mexico City in 1970. AFP
  • Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso meets with Brazil minister of sports Pele Arantes in 2005. AFP
    Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso meets with Brazil minister of sports Pele Arantes in 2005. AFP
  • Indian batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu during a match against Sri Lanka. AFP
    Indian batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu during a match against Sri Lanka. AFP
  • Indian cricketer-turned-politician, Congress Party candidate for the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Navjot Singh Sidhu. AFP
    Indian cricketer-turned-politician, Congress Party candidate for the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Navjot Singh Sidhu. AFP
  • Zico of Brazil rides a challenge during the 1978 World Cup group match between Brazil and Spain. Getty
    Zico of Brazil rides a challenge during the 1978 World Cup group match between Brazil and Spain. Getty
  • In 1990, six years before Pele took the role, Zico became Brazil's first sports minister. AFP
    In 1990, six years before Pele took the role, Zico became Brazil's first sports minister. AFP
  • Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga celebrates victory in the Cricket World Cup final between Australia and Sri Lanka played at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore in 1996. Allsport
    Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga celebrates victory in the Cricket World Cup final between Australia and Sri Lanka played at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore in 1996. Allsport
  • Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's petroleum minister, in 2018. Bloomberg
    Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's petroleum minister, in 2018. Bloomberg

Pacquiao, Pele, Azharuddin, Zico, Arnie: The legends that prove sport and politics do mix - in pictures


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It was a saying often used: Don't mix sport and politics.

Well, as Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has proven with his tireless campaign work for the poor in the United Kingdom, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Old Trafford and England star, who has already helped raise around £20 million (Dh92.2m) for FareShare, a charity that fights hunger and food waste, then lobbied the government and children most in need will be fed for free over the summer holidays.

Perhaps a career in politics beckons for Rashford, though at 22 years old he has plenty of time to consider what comes after his playing days.

He wouldn't be the first to take that direction. Pele, Manny Pacquiao, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Romario are among the legends to have swapped kit for the politicians' briefcase after their competitive days - or during them in the case of Pacquiao.

Here's a selection of those who have changed career. To view the next image in the picture gallery above, click on the arrows or simply swipe.