Time was when footballers needed just two skills ? the ability to kick a football, and a knack for heavy drinking.

That way, they could win the game, celebrate it, then drift slowly into crippling alcoholism. It worked. But, as with every successful system, a few young rebels felt it necessary to buck the trend, and now Gary Lineker has made it perfectly acceptable to have a successful career running in tandem with your sportiness. Even this weekend, Rio Ferdinand thought it time he showcased his magazine editing skills, taking over Observer Sports Monthly for a one-off ? no one even knew footballers could read five/ten years ago.

And it’s not just the media that has benefited from this sudden surge in multi-talented centre forwards. No sir.? The hardcore rap scene is having a field day. Below are the four greatest examples of sporting rap stars?