According to The Sun, former New Zealand international Andy Barron recalled his experience of participating in the FIFA World Cup while working full-time as an investment banker.

For many international stars, playing in the FIFA World Cup is part of their profession. But for New Zealand midfielder Andy Barron, he had to take several months of unpaid leave to participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Now 45, Barron represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was also the last time New Zealand has participated in the tournament. What made his story unique was that Barron also held a full-time job as an investment banker at the time.

Barron was the only semi-professional player in the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad and a member of what is considered one of the most iconic teams in New Zealand football history.

At the time, Barron worked full-time in the investment division of a New Zealand bank. After impressing for Wellington in the New Zealand National League, he requested several months of unpaid leave to travel to South Africa for the tournament.

Barron told The Sun, "I knew I was a fringe player, but I had already made 10 appearances for the national team by then. I had played in many tournaments around the world, but most of the squad were professional players."

"I needed to focus and ensure I could make the final squad. I certainly wasn't a guaranteed selection."

"I spoke to the head coach, Ricki Herbert, who was also managing Wellington Phoenix at the time, and he invited me to train and prepare for six months."

During his preparation, Barron trained with Wellington Phoenix in the mornings, worked during the day, and then trained with Wellington in the evenings.

Balancing work and football was nothing new for Barron. Except for one professional season with Minnesota Thunder in 2008, he had maintained a banking job throughout his career.

Barron's income from banking had always exceeded his football earnings, and he was realistic about football's limitations as a long-term career.

He explained, "My income from my day job was always higher than from football because I was semi-professional."

"I was paid to play, but it was semi-professional wages. While you could theoretically live off it full-time, it certainly wasn't comparable to Premier League salaries."

"I always had my finance degree as a backup. I thought, 'I'm probably not going to be David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo,' so eventually I would still need employment."

Despite the challenges, Barron earned a place in Ricki Herbert's 23-man New Zealand FIFA World Cup squad, and his efforts paid off.

New Zealand qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as the last team to secure a spot. Cautiously, they only booked accommodation after defeating Bahrain in a crucial two-legged playoff.

For Barron, that playoff changed everything—from an anonymous bank employee to a national hero.

Barron recalled, "Before the Bahrain match, it was one life; after it, it was completely different."

"Players from the New Zealand national football team could walk down the street and hardly anyone would recognize you. Maybe some football fans would, but probably not—after all, you weren't an All Black."

"But when we faced Bahrain in the home-and-away playoff, we drew away, and suddenly it was clear we were just one game from the FIFA World Cup."

"The return leg in Wellington sold out, the media gave us full coverage, and people started to recognize us."

It wasn't just the public who suddenly knew who Barron was; his bank colleagues had no idea he was a New Zealand international. They only discovered it when they saw him in a New Zealand jersey in the newspaper the next day.

Barron said, "They found out from the Monday news. Until that picture of me in the jersey appeared, they didn't even know I played football. It basically happened overnight."

Soon, the entire country was talking about this New Zealand team. They had returned to the world stage after 28 years and became part of New Zealand's football legacy.

Though eliminated in the group stage, New Zealand departed the tournament as the only undefeated team, drawing with Slovakia, Paraguay, and defending champions Italy.

Reflecting on that experience, Barron said, "The FIFA World Cup is another level entirely; you're facing 40,000 fans in the stadium and millions watching on television."

"But we had no fear. I credit my teammates—we fought hard, defended well, and shocked the world."

"We even finished above Italy in the group. Although we didn't advance to the knockout stage, being the only undefeated team was quite remarkable."

For most professional players, participating in the FIFA World Cup represents the pinnacle of their careers. For Barron, a semi-professional with a full-time banking job, it was extraordinary.

Barron understood this was his moment, so he chose to retire after the World Cup, ending his double life.

Today, Barron lives in Australia, working for an American tech company, and says he has finally found his true passion.

He reflected, "I've found my passion and genuinely love what I do now. I don't play football anymore, and honestly, I don't miss it."