‘I Came 4th in Ballon d’Or, Flopped at Palace & Leeds, & Now Sell Vacuum Cleaners’

Former Sweden international Tomas Brolin transitioned from being one of world football's top talents to a successful entrepreneur in the vacuum cleaner business. After finishing joint-fourth in the 1994 Ballon d'Or following Sweden's third-place finish at the 1994 World Cup, Brolin experienced difficult Premier League stints with Leeds United and Crystal Palace before retiring at just 28 years old.

A serious broken foot suffered in November 1994 derailed Brolin's career momentum before his move from Parma to Elland Road. After stepping away from football, he partnered with inventor Goran Edlund to co-found Twinnovation AB, acquiring a 50 percent stake in a business that sells the Twinner vacuum cleaner nozzle.