4. Gareth Bale: From Rugby Roots to Football Fame
Though Gareth Bale is globally known for his footballing prowess, he grew up in the rugby heartland of Wales, where he played rugby alongside future Welsh captain Sam Warburton.
Eventually, Bale turned his focus to football, a decision that has paid off both in trophies and financially, but his rugby background shaped his early sporting life.
5. Benedict Cumberbatch: The Versatile Schoolboy Athlete
Benedict Cumberbatch, the British actor famed for his role as Sherlock Holmes, didn’t just shine on stage. At school, he balanced his acting with a passion for rugby.
“Everyone was confused,” Cumberbatch joked.
“There’s the chap from the rugby pitch, and then, oh look, there he is in a wig playing Titania, Queen of the Fairies.” His athletic and artistic versatility clearly began at a young age.
