Craig Bellamy.. From the lights of Newcastle and Liverpool to the shadows of bankruptcy | sports

The lives of football stars may seem full of glamor and luxury, but behind the shiny image, hide painful stories of wrong decisions, devastating losses, and a sudden fall after glory. Craig Bellamy, one of the most prominent faces in the history of Welsh football and the English Premier League, is a painful example of that paradoxical journey between fame and abyss.

Bellamy, who charmed fans with his speed, enthusiasm and fighting spirit, played for top clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle, and built a career that any player could dream of. But after more than two decades on the field, he found himself completely bankrupt, losing all the money and glory he had accumulated.

From glory to collapse

Bellamy’s story began in the spotlight at Norwich City, before his star exploded at Newcastle United, where he participated in the Champions League and established himself as one of the most ferocious strikers in England. But behind the scenes, his confrontational personality and nervous temperament were creating problems for him wherever he went, and he even entered into famous disputes with coaches and teammates, such as his famous quarrel with his Liverpool teammate John Arne Reis.

Despite this, Bellamy continued to shine, moving between major clubs until he concluded his career with Cardiff City in 2014, where he received the honor of representing his country in the last football stop of a career that spanned nearly 20 years.

On the international level, he represented the Wales national team in 78 international matches, during which he scored many goals. He was one of the historical leaders of his generation. He also participated in the Great Britain national team in the 2012 London Olympics, in a rare achievement that made him one of the symbols of modern Welsh football.

Craig Bellamy sending Liverpool to the League Cup final 13 years ago today 💃

Some atmospherepic.twitter.com/hninRcdSAy

— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) January 25, 2025

How did he lose everything?

In a frank interview with the British newspaper “Daily Mail” in 2023, Bellamy revealed that he did not lose his fortune due to gambling or addiction, as happened with many of his colleagues, but rather due to “naivety.” He trusted the wrong people to manage his money, only to later discover that they had forged his signatures, invested his money in failed projects, and left him in debt.

“After all the money I’ve made, I can’t even get a mortgage,” Bellamy lamented. “I have nothing. It’s all gone.”

Although he was not a tax evader, the British Tax Authority pursued him because of the errors of his financial advisors. He even considered the moment of declaring his bankruptcy “a kind of relief,” because it was the end of long suffering.

Bellamy added, advising the new generation of players, “Check everything yourself. Do not trust anyone. Make sure that those who manage your money are regulated people, and always ask for a second opinion. We are a generation that is accustomed to the club doing everything on our behalf, and this was a grave mistake.”

From bankruptcy to dream job

Despite all the falls, Bellamy didn’t give up. After a period of silence and isolation, he found his way back thanks to his former colleague in Manchester City, Vincent Kompany, who hired him as his assistant in Anderlecht in Belgium, and then in Burnley in England, where they contributed together to return the team to the Premier League.

In July 2024, Bellamy’s biggest dream came true, when he was appointed coach of the Wales national team, a position he described as the “final job” in his career. This was a symbolic moment not only for his sporting career, but also for a human journey full of setbacks and lessons.