Tom Brady retirement U-turn: 10 successful comebacks from Jordan to Foreman

Can the superstar NFL quarterback emulate the likes of Michael Jordan and George Foreman on his return to competitive sport?

Niki Lauda (motorsport) - Lauda's greatest comeback came after suffering horrific burns in a near-fatal crash at the Nuerburgring in 1976. He was soon back in his Ferrari and went on to claim his second Formula One title the following year. The Austrian retired in 1979 but was back on the track in 1982 and won the 1984 world title driving for McLaren. AFP

Michael Jordan (basketball) - Jordan shocked the world when he announced his first retirement at age 30, months after winning his third NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1993. Jordan played some minor league baseball before making his return to the NBA in 1995, going on to win three more championships with the Bulls. AP Photo

Johan Cruyff (football) - The Dutch legend called time on an illustrious career in 1978 before returning to football for financial reasons a year later, having reportedly been scammed in Spain with false investments. Cruyff joined the Los Angeles Aztecs in the North American Soccer League followed by spells at the Washington Diplomats and Levante before a successful return to Holland with boyhood club Ajax and Feyenoord. Getty Images

George Foreman (boxing) - GEORGE FOREMAN (BOXING) Foreman became heavyweight champion of the world with a win over Joe Frazier in 1973 but retired from the sport four years later following a loss to Jimmy Young. The American made his return to the ring a decade later, winning a string of fights before knocking out Michael Moorer to claim the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles at the age of 45. He remains the oldest fighter to win a heavyweight championship. Getty

Kim Clijsters (tennis) - KIM CLIJSTERS (TENNIS) Clijsters won the 2005 US Open before retiring two years later. She returned to tennis in 2009 and won a second Grand Slam in New York as an unseeded wild card. The Belgian defended her Flushing Meadows crown in 2010 and picked up the last of her four major titles at the Australian Open in 2011 before retiring again in 2012. She made her second comeback in early 2020 but is yet to replicate the same success. Getty

Michael Phelps (swimming) - The most decorated Olympian in history announced his retirement following the 2012 London Olympics. The American returned to the pool two years later and qualified for 2016 Rio Olympics, where he won five gold medals to take his tally to 23. Getty Images

Magic Johnson (basketball) - Johnson played in the NBA from 1979 to 1991, before announcing he had contracted HIV, and retired immediately. The legendary Lakers point guard was part of the 1992 Olympics "Dream Team," and was voted to the All-Star team that year. While he announced his intentions to return to the NBA in 1992, he then retired again before the season began. Johnson once again stepped on the court in January 1996 at age 36. He retired again in May of that year. AP Photo

Roger Milla (football) - The Cameroon striker first retired in 1989, but was persuaded to return by Cameroon president Paul Biya to spearhead the country’s attack at the 1990 World Cup. It proved inspired as Milla scored four goals as Cameroon reached the quarter-finals of Italia ’90 and the world was treated to the Milla dance celebration. Four years later in the USA, Milla became the oldest outfield player to play at a global finals. His final international appearance came in a friendly against South Africa in December 1994 – 21 years after he made his international debut against Zaire. Getty Images

Brett Favre (American football) - Favre established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time during a 16-season spell with the Green Bay Packers, winning a Super Bowl title in 1997. In 2008, Favre retired for the first time, but a few months later he signed with the New York Jets. He retired again after one season with the Jets but made another comeback and enjoyed a stellar season with the Minnesota Vikings. Getty

Roger Clemens (baseball) - Clemens first retired at the age of 41 in 2003 after winning six Cy Young awards with three American League clubs. He returned to the sport a year later and won a record seventh Cy Young Award, as the top pitcher in the National League, this time with the Houston Astros. AP Photo

Seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady ended his brief retirement on Sunday when he announced he would be returning for a 23rd season in the NFL.

Brady's decision to retire on February 1 was not unexpected but came after the future Hall of Famer had enjoyed one of the best seasons of his long career at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he will return to for the upcoming season.

A five-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and three-time NFL season MVP, Brady already has a record 243 regular-season victories as well and also holds the league's passing record.

The 44-year-old is not the first elite athlete to have second thoughts on retirement.

Above is a picture gallery of 10 successful sports comebacks - from George Foreman to Roger Clemens.

To move on to the next picture, click on the arrows or swipe on your device.