A career in professional sports is often fleeting, and not all athletes find their path after retirement. But the story of Javier Arizmendi, former striker for clubs like Atlético Madrid, Deportivo, and Valencia, breaks the mold. He traded the football pitch for the office corridors of a private bank, where he now helps others manage their capital wisely. For him, this move was not just a career change, but a true professional reinvention.
His decision to move into finance was driven not only by a desire to grow the savings he had built up over years in sports. Arizmendi notes it was important to show his children an example—how to adapt and prove that retraining always pays off. He approached his new field thoroughly, backing it up with solid credentials: a degree in business administration and management, plus an MBA. This gave him the confidence to enter the complex world of investments.
In his new role as a financial advisor, Arismendi works with a wide range of clients, although his sports background certainly helps him connect with professional athletes. He believes that the success of any investment portfolio lies not in chasing short-term gains, but in careful planning and financial literacy. In his view, it’s essential to establish a coordinated strategy in which each asset, whether it’s stocks or real estate, has its place and aligns with the investor’s life circumstances.
The former footballer pays special attention to Spain’s real estate market, pointing out its key problem: a severe shortage of supply. He explains that the basic law of supply and demand applies here as well—when there is little housing available, prices inevitably rise. Arismendi criticizes the current lack of legal protection and excessive government intervention, which he says deter investors from the rental sector. As a solution, he proposes streamlining bureaucratic procedures and making more active use of vacant state properties to create new housing stock. He considers Madrid, Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and Malaga to be the most attractive markets for investment.
Arismendi is a strong advocate for financial education from a young age. He explains that the magic of compound interest allows capital to grow much faster if you start investing as early as possible. Through his collaboration with the Asociación de Futbolistas Españoles, he conducts training sessions for young players, helping them plan their income and expenses. Despite his achievements in this new field, he admits to one lingering regret: not having the courage to buy property in Palma back when he played for Mallorca. This experience taught him his main rule— the earlier you start, the further you get. He has no plans to return to football as an agent or TV pundit, choosing instead to focus fully on his financial career, where he finds stability and the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.
