Given the vast sums commanded by footballers at the top of their game in Europe's most competitive leagues, few can imagine players getting into dire financial straits.
But where clubs awarded talented young players stratospheric salaries, financial mismanagement or lavish, out of control spending can quickly follow, and a number of stars have seen their fortunes fall as rapidly as they once rose.
Earlier this week it was revealed that ex-Manchester United player Wes Brown was declared bankrupt at the High Court, despite reportedly earning £50,000-a-week during his playing days at Old Trafford.