Football is a demanding sport, and when played professionally at the top level the physical challenges make it even more difficult to have great longevity in it.
Hence, most football players retire by an average age of 35 years. Some players are rather unfortunate and are forced to retire even earlier if they have multiple fitness issues or recurring injury problems.
Here are some high-profile footballers who announced their retirement this year.
Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)
Szczesny announced his retirement from football at just 34 years of age, which surprised quite a few people, especially given goalkeepers tend to play longer than the outfield players.
The Pole started his career with Legia Warsaw in his home country and went on to represent top clubs like Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus in Europe. He won two FA Cups and one Community Shield during his time with the Gunners, three consecutive Serie A titles at Juventus alongside many other domestic trophies, and earned 84 caps for Poland.
Szczesny participated in four European Championships and two World Cups. He was also the joint-winner of the Premier League Golden Glove in the 2013/14 season alongside Petr Cech. He also won the 2019/20 Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award, also earning a Yashin Trophy nomination for that season.
On his retirement, Szczesny said:
“I gave the game 18 years of my life, every day, without excuses. Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family.”
Pepe (Portugal)
Pepe announced his retirement at 41 years of age last month. He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, having had a career spanning 23 years.
Pepe started his club career at Marítimo in Portugal. He went on to play for top clubs like Porto and Real Madrid, winning a bucket-load of trophies with the Galácticos, including three LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues among several other honours.
Pepe also participated in four World Cups and five European Championships, earning 141 caps for his country. He won the Euros in 2016 and was awarded the Player of the Match award for his performance in the final. He also won the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal in 2019.
On his retirement, Pepe posted the following on social media:
“I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey, I can’t help but also thank all the presidents who bet and believed in me to be able to perform my work. To all the employees of all the clubs I’ve been to, who are the soul and essence of the clubs and the national team. I want to thank everyone in the background. I want to leave a thank you and a hug of gratitude for all of you. And thank you all very much.”
Toni Kroos (Germany)
Tony Kroos announced his retirement at the age of 34 after last season. The central midfielder, widely known for his exceptional passing, crossing, vision, and set-piece abilities, goes into the history books as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Kroos started his career at Bayern Munich at just 17 years of age. He played the majority of his senior career for Real Madrid, where he moved in 2014 and won a mammoth 21 trophies in ten years, including four LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues among other accolades.
At youth level, Kroos was awarded the Golden Shoe award at the U17 European Championships in 2006 and the Golden Ball award at the U17 World Cup in 2007. He represented Germany 114 times and played a key role in them win the 2014 World Cup, providing the most numbers of assists.
On his retirement, Kroos said:
“At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship. As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. I am happy and proud that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own. My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level.”
Thiago Alcântara (Spain)
Thiago Alcântara announced his retirement from professional football at just 33 years of age. The Spanish midfielder is regarded as one of the most technically-gifted players of his generation and was a joy to watch. Unfortunately, persistent injuries brought about his early retirement.
Thiago joined the famous La Masia academy of Barcelona at 14 and made his senior debut in 2009. He won several trophies with the Blaugrana before moving to Bayern Munich, where he became an integral part of the squad for seven years, winning seven consecutive German Bundesliga titles as well as a Champions League in his last season before moving to Liverpool in 2020. At senior level, he represented Spain 46 times and played in two European Championships as well as the 2018 World Cup.
On his retirement, Thiago said:
“I will always be willing to give back what I have been given and I am grateful for the time I have enjoyed it. Thank you, football. And to all who accompanied me and made me a better player and person along the way. See you soon, Thiago.”
Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
Bonucci announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37. The Italian central defender was widely known for his technical ability, ball-playing skills, and tackling.
Bonucci started his career at Inter Milan in 2005 before going on to represent the likes of Juventus and AC Milan. He played for Juventus for the majority of his senior career, winning eight Serie A titles and four Coppe Italie among other honours. He also won the Serie A Player of the Year award in 2016.
Bonucci ended his career at Turkish club Fenerbahçe after a short stint with Union Berlin in Germany. He played more than 120 senior games for Italy and won the 2020 Euros, having also represented the Azzurri in two World Cups.
On his retirement, Bonucci posted the following on social media:
“As a child, I dreamed of this story I would tell, promising myself achievements to embrace against the biggest, celebrating, having faith through difficulties with courage. A father, a team-mate, a husband, a player. Beyond. Beyond history today, I am me.”
Marouane Fellaini (Belgium)
Fellaini called time on his career at age 37. The Belgian midfielder was a strong attack-minded player who was versatile enough to play several positions depending on his team’s requirement.
Fellaini started his senior career in Belgium with Standard Liège and represented Everton and Manchester United in the Premier League. With the Red Devils, he won an FA Cup, a League Cup, and a Europa League trophy before ending his career with Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.
Fellaini represented Belgium 87 times, playing in two World Cups, the 2016 Euros, and the 2008 Olympics.
On his retirement, Fellaini posted the following on social media:
“All of this would have been impossible without my family, teammates, coaches, advisers and everyone who has been a part of my journey. Your love, guidance, support, and friendship have been invaluable. Thank you! As I embark on this new chapter in my life, I look forward to new challenges, but be assured, I will continue to support the beautiful game in any way I can. See you soon!”
Joe Hart (England)
Hart announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37 years after finishing last season with Scottish Premiership side Celtic.
The Englishman started his career at Shrewsbury Town in 2003 and went on to become a key player during Manchester City’s revival. With the Cityzens, he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups, and an FA Cup. He won four consecutive Premier League Golden Glove awards between 2011 and 2015.
Hart also represented England 75 times, featuring at two World Cups and one Euros.
On his retirement, Hart said:
“It’s a sad day, but it’s the right time, I got this opportunity which I couldn’t turn down. I didn’t know how it was going to play out. I got to a point in my life where I got an opportunity and I didn’t want to push that luck. I wanted to finish strong. I wanted to finish in this special place [Celtic]. It’s my time to move aside and let someone else have some fun… I feel fine but I just felt this was my moment.”
Also read: Premier League stars out of contract in 2025
Claudio Bravo (Chile)
The Chilean keeper announced his retirement at the ripe old age of 41. Bravo began his career at Colo-Colo and moved to Real Sociedad in 2006, for whom played 237 games before moving to Barcelona and then Manchester City, ultimately finishing his career at Real Betis in Spain.
Bravo has to his name two LaLiga titles and one Champions League with Barcelona as well as a Premier League and two League Cups with Man City. He played for Chile 150 times, winning two Copas América.
On his retirement, Bravo posted the following on social media:
“It is the moment to close a very important cycle in my life. I think I have made the right decision, a decision I thought long about.
“MANY THANKS! @ColoColo @RealSociedad @FCBarcelona_es @ManCity @RealBetis @LaRoja“
Ryan Bertrand (England)
Bertrand announced his retirement at just 34 years of age. He was known as a modern-day fullback who could play and assist in attack as well as put in a defensive shift.
Bertrand started his career at Chelsea’s youth academy in 2005. He won the 2011/12 Champions League and 2012/13 Europa League trophies with them. He has also played for Aston Villa, Southampton, and Leicester City, also earning 19 senior caps for the Three Lions.
On his retirement, Bertrand said:
“I will be retiring from football, it’s been a little while but I get asked a lot of questions – ‘When are you coming back, what are you doing? So, just to make that official I am retiring and very much looking forward to the next steps.“
Phil Jones (England)
Phil Jones announced his retirement at just 32 years of age. The English defender started his career at Blackburn Rovers before joining Man United in 2011, with whom he ended his career after his contract expired last season.
In over a decade at Old Trafford, Jones won one Premier League, one UEFA Europa League, one FA Cup, and two Community Shields. He also represented England 27 times, featuring in two World Cups and one European Championship.
On his retirement, Jones said:
“The career finished shorter than what I would have liked, it was disappointing obviously, but it’s easy to look at it glass half-empty, so glass half-full view on it at the minute. I completed my A-licence last season, worked with the 18s a little bit, which was really good, valuable experience. I enjoyed it. Ultimately, I want to get back out there and challenge myself. I fancy myself going into coaching and ultimately taking charge of a team. I know the steps to get there and I’m willing to take that and I’m determined to get there.“
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