9 Top Footballers Who Insured Their Body Parts
Which footballers insured which body parts, and why?
Footballers rely on their bodies to make a living, but some have gone a step further by protecting the parts of their anatomy that matter most to their careers.
For most players, the idea of insuring a body part sounds unusual. At the highest level of football, however, a serious injury can have enormous financial consequences.
Over the years, several famous footballers have reportedly taken out insurance policies covering everything from their legs and hands to a rather more unexpected feature.
Here Are Nine Top Footballers Who Insured Their Body Parts
1. Wayne Rooney – His Hair
Wayne Rooney became one of the more unusual names to enter the world of body-part insurance after revealing that he had insured his hair.
The former Manchester United and England striker has undergone two hair transplants over the years. He later revealed that his hair is the only part of his body he has ever insured.
Rooney's decision is particularly fitting given how well documented his hair transplant story has been since his first procedure in 2011.
Unlike footballers protecting their legs or hands because they are essential to their position, Rooney's policy is linked to his appearance.
2. David Beckham – His Legs, Feet, Toes and Appearance
David Beckham's value as a footballer and global celebrity made him one of the most famous examples of body-part insurance.
In 2006, Beckham was reported to have taken out a £100 million insurance policy covering his legs, feet, toes and appearance. His insurance reflected the different parts of his career that depended on his physical condition.
His right foot was one of football's most recognisable weapons, while his image had become a major part of his work away from the pitch. The policy was reported at the time as the largest personal insurance policy in sporting history.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – His Legs
Cristiano Ronaldo's legs have carried him through one of the most successful careers in modern football, so it is perhaps unsurprising that they have been the subject of insurance coverage.
Reports have placed the value of Ronaldo's leg insurance at well over £100 million, although figures vary considerably depending on the source and the period being discussed.
The reasoning is straightforward. Ronaldo's career depends heavily on his speed, movement, jumping ability and shooting power, all of which rely on his legs.
4. Lionel Messi – His Legs
Lionel Messi has also been associated with insurance covering his legs. The Argentine's ability to accelerate, change direction and control the ball at speed made his legs an obvious asset to protect during his peak playing years.
The reported value of Messi's insurance has varied dramatically between sources, so the exact figure is less useful than the fact itself: his legs were considered sufficiently important to his earning power and career to warrant specialist insurance coverage.
5. Iker Casillas – His Hands
For a goalkeeper, the hands are arguably the most obvious body part to protect. Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas was reported to have insured his hands during his playing career, with reports putting the value of the policy at several million pounds.
It made sense for a goalkeeper who built his career around saves, reflexes and handling. A serious hand injury could directly affect his ability to perform his job at the highest level.
6. Manuel Neuer – His Hands
Manuel Neuer followed a similar route to Casillas. The German and Bayern Munich goalkeeper was reported to have insured his hands, with the policy designed to provide protection if a serious hand injury prevented him from continuing his professional goalkeeping career.
There is a simple logic behind the unusual insurance decisions made by goalkeepers. A striker can potentially adapt his game around an injury, but a goalkeeper relies heavily on his hands for one of the fundamental parts of the position: stopping shots.
7. Ronaldo Nazário – His Legs
Ronaldo Nazário became one of the earliest football superstars associated with a huge insurance policy on his legs. In 1996, while playing for Barcelona, the Brazilian striker's legs were reportedly insured for £20 million.
The contemporary report came as Ronaldo was establishing himself as one of the most exciting young forwards in world football.
His story is particularly interesting because his explosive acceleration, powerful running and ability to glide past defenders were such important parts of his game.
Ronaldo's story is particularly notable because it predates the widely reported insurance stories involving Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and several other modern football stars.
8. Gareth Bale – His Legs
Gareth Bale's explosive pace and powerful running were central to his game, so it is perhaps fitting that his legs were reportedly insured during his career.
The Welsh forward was reported to have insurance covering his legs for a huge sum while he was playing for Real Madrid. The policy reflected the importance of his fitness to both his football career and earning power.
Bale's case also shows why body-part insurance is particularly relevant to elite footballers. For a player whose game relies heavily on acceleration, sprinting and explosive movement, a serious leg injury could have major consequences.
9. Neymar – His Legs
Neymar is another football superstar whose legs have reportedly been insured. The Brazilian's career has been built around speed, agility, close control and his ability to change direction quickly, making his legs one of his most valuable assets on the pitch.
Reports have placed the value of Neymar's leg insurance at different figures over the years, so the exact amount is difficult to establish with confidence.
The more important fact for this list is that the São Paulo-born star has been widely reported as having insurance covering his legs.
Why Do Footballers Insure Their Body Parts?
The idea sounds bizarre, but there is a practical reason behind many of these policies. A professional footballer's body is effectively part of their earning power.
A serious injury to a crucial body part can affect wages, sponsorships, transfer value and the length of a player's career. That explains the pattern among the names on this list.
Ronaldo and Messi have been associated with insurance covering their legs. Casillas and Neuer protected their hands. Beckham's policy reflected both his footballing ability and his value as a global celebrity, while Rooney's insurance is linked to his hair and appearance.
The body parts may be different, but the principle is the same: protect the asset that plays an important role in your career.
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