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By STEFAN BURGHILA Published: 23: 51 AEDT, 13 March 2025 | Updated: 02: 09 AEDT, 14 March 2025 23 View comments A former Manchester United player is now worth a staggering £4. 3billion after retiring in 2013 and launching his own company. It is understood that the ex-player's business is worth over seven times more than Cristiano Ronaldo's staggering £600million net worth, and double the cost of United's proposed new £2billion stadium. Louis Saha and the Portuguese superstar played together in Sir Alex Ferguson's team, while the Frenchman retired four years later after Ronaldo left Old Trafford. Saha had an illustrious career, featuring for Newcastle United, Fulham, Everton, Tottenham, Sunderland, alongside two stints at Lazio and Metz. Unlike many retired footballers, the former French striker knew exactly what he wanted to do after calling time on his career at the age of 35 and launched a highly successful business. More than a decade ago, Saha established Axis Stars, which is known as a community that connects relationships between 'professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners'. Former Man United forward Louis Saha's company Axis Stars is now worth a staggering £4. 3bn It is understood his business is worth over seven times more Cristiano Ronaldo's £600m net worth Saha was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad between 2004 and 2008 before his move to Everton Their website proudly features his picture alongside co-founder Kate Hamer. 'Since hanging up his boots, Louis has moved into the world of business where he has used his experience to develop propositions to support athletes and other people in the public eye, in their careers, ' the description read. His former club United, meanwhile, are set to spend £2bn for the new 100, 000-seater Old Trafford, in a project which aims to build the world's best football arena. The project will take up to five years, and the Red Devils co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has already revealed he sees the 'New Trafford' becoming an iconic tourist attraction akin to the Eiffel Tower. The unique venue will feature an 'umbrella' design along a three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants as part of a vast fan village - yet still cost two times less than Saha's net worth. After retiring, the Frenchman made a choice to use his football experience and set up a network that would motivate athletes to share their knowledge while being featured on the pitch. It is understood that Hamer - a former marketer - alongside former United marketing expert and technological executive Patrice Arnera, played a huge role in the business establishment. Furthermore, multiple sources report that the initiative already has more than 550 ex-athletes on the books. The design of Manchester United's proposed new £2billion stadium was unveiled on Tuesday Saha established the business in order to connect relationships between 'professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners' Saha retired in 2013 at Lazio, concluding his career with 492 games, 158 goals and 30 assists 'I still get asked for advice by different people on a daily basis, said Saha for The Guardian. 'For instance, my agent called me to say he had a talented French footballer who he wants to bring to England, and asked me for advice on how to create a tailor-made training programme. I put him in touch with people I used to work with. 'This kind of player could join Axis as he can then search for a personal coach in his region. It is a hard process but its so rewarding, because if I can help 100, 000 people, its the best thing I've ever done. ' Only one former football star could enjoy an ever greater level of success - Mathieu Flamini, who swapped his jersey for business attire and is the co-founder of the first company in the world to mass-produce levulinic acid. After 17 years since the business was launched, The Sun reported that it is worth more than £21billion. The Frenchman established the company 'GF Biochemicals' in 2018, hoping to revolutionise the energy industry, alongside economics graduate business partner, Pasquale Granata. Back in 2016, Flamini and Granata acquired US company Segetis in order to find more green alternatives to oil. The former Arsenal player also co-founded the Bio Journal - the world's first e-magazine dedicated to eco-sustainability.
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