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Footballers who love to spend their downtime fishing, like Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Sergio Aguero

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NOW here's a good way to unwind from the pressures of the game.

These footballers like to spend their downtime by relaxing with a spot of fishing.

 Gazza shows off a catch and is one of many footballers to love fishing
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Gazza shows off a catch and is one of many footballers to love fishingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Memphis Depay, John Terry and Sergio Aguero have been known to dangle their rods into lake and sea hoping to catch a bite.

While former England heroes Gazza and David Seaman also fancy themselves as fisherman.

Let SunSport give you a guide to the best anglers in football.

Cristiano Ronaldo

 Cristiano Ronaldo caught the fishing bug in his hometown of Madeira
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Cristiano Ronaldo caught the fishing bug in his hometown of Madeira

Ronaldo must know a thing or two about fishing coming from Madeira.

The Portuguese city is the capital of sport fishing, where a keen fisher will look to catch marlin, wahoo and giant bluefin tuna.

That'll make a lovely seafood stew, for sure.

Sergio Aguero

 Aguero, pictured on a fishing trip in Miami, once reportedly went fishing in Blackpool
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Aguero, pictured on a fishing trip in Miami, once reportedly went fishing in BlackpoolCredit: Instagram @10aguerosergiokun

 Man City legend Aguero enjoyed the catch of the day on a recent fishing trip to Esquina
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Man City legend Aguero enjoyed the catch of the day on a recent fishing trip to EsquinaCredit: Instagram

You wouldn't have guessed that the Man City forward loves to angle.

Back in 2014, the Argentine took up fishing when he was out injured and he still hasn't given up his favourite pastime.

The 33-year-old, who retired in December because of heart problems, caught a whopper on a recent trip to Esquina in the Argentinian province of Corrientes.

David Beckham

 David Beckham caught this fancy Icelandic Salmon back in 2016
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David Beckham caught this fancy Icelandic Salmon back in 2016

Never one to miss out, Becks showed off his greatest catch in 2016.

The Manchester United legend posted this image on Instagram fly fishing and catching a Icelandic Salmon.

He's also been known to be a fan of sea and coarse fishing.

Memphis Depay

 Former Red Devil Memphis Depay used to go fishing in Holland with his grandfather
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Former Red Devil Memphis Depay used to go fishing in Holland with his grandfatherCredit: Peter Jordan - The Sun

When he was a young boy, playing football wasn't his only love.

At the age of 10 he loved joining his grandfather Keas Schensema for fishing trips in Moordrecth.

He even managed a small catch in this throwback pic.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

 Ibrahimovic has his own fishing lake and once caught an impressive pike
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Ibrahimovic has his own fishing lake and once caught an impressive pike
 He has a tattoo of a koi-carp on his back
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He has a tattoo of a koi-carp on his backCredit: AFP - Getty

Ibrahimovic, now of AC Milan, probably considers himself to be the best fisherman in the world.

And with this pike catch, few would argue that he's got angling skills too.

Ibra boasts his own private fishing lake at home in Sweden, while he also has a tattoo of a koi carp on his back.

Lee Bowyer

 Hardman Bowyer has his own fishing lake called Etang de Bows
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Hardman Bowyer has his own fishing lake called Etang de BowsCredit: Collect

The former Charlton and Leeds United hero loves a tackle off the field as much as he did on it.

The Birmingham City boss runs his own carp fishing lake named 'Etang de Bows' in France, which he bought in 2014.

Maybe that's what's calmed him down over the years!

Robin Van Persie

 Van Persie once caught a shark on a family fishing trip to Turkey
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Van Persie once caught a shark on a family fishing trip to Turkey

While on holiday in Turkey in 2015, the former United star took his family fishing.

Unbelievably, his bait managed to catch a shark while he was deep sea fishing.

He wrote on Facebook: "Unaware this was going to be our best fishing day ever!!!

"What a catch! Nobody got hurt and of course we released the shark."

Tony Hibbert

Ex-Everton full-back Hibbert is so obsessed with fishing he now makes a business out of it.

In 2013, he bought the 33-acre Lac de Premiere, a carp fishery in the village of Villiers-en-Prayeres, northern France.

And since retiring from the beautiful game in 2016, he's devoted his time in running a venue welcoming fisherman from all over the world.

 Ex-Everton ace Tony Hibbert owns a carp lake in France
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Ex-Everton ace Tony Hibbert owns a carp lake in FranceCredit: Instagram @lacdepremiere

John Terry

 Chelsea legend John Terry loves catching carp
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Chelsea legend John Terry loves catching carpCredit: BNPS

Now that he's retired, he'll have more time on his hands for one of his favourite hobbies.

The Chelsea legend loves carp, which is why he built a lake in the grounds of his mansion.

Who needs Fortnite?

Bobby Zamora

 Zamora is no stranger to catching a big one
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Zamora is no stranger to catching a big oneCredit: Twitter

JT's close pal, Bobby Zamora, has been a huge admirer of fishing for a long time.

The ex-QPR and West Ham striker, who is now a club ambassador at Brighton, loves a Bobby dazzler - with his biggest catch a 39lb 12oz carp.

David Seaman

 Seaman was never caught flapping when he fished
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Seaman was never caught flapping when he fishedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The Arsenal and England legend might be football's best angler, having done it for most of his life.

Safe Hands, as he was nicknamed, was skilled at everything from fly to coarse fishing.

Surely he's never been left flapping by the river bank?

Paul Gascoigne

 Gazza once fell off a jetty into a lake on a fishing trip
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Gazza once fell off a jetty into a lake on a fishing tripCredit: PA:Empics Sport

Last, but certainly not least, Gazza often went on trips with Seaman during Euro 96 on the advice of manager Terry Venables.

But famously, Gascoigne fell off jetty into a lake near their team hotel before the Spain game in his full England team tracksuit.

Cue fits of laughter from the former England stopper as his mate asked him to pull him out.

If only we were a fly on the water.

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