As we all know that football is a very demanding sport and when played professionally at the top most level, the physical challenges may make it even more difficult to have great longevity in the sport. Hence, most football players retire by an average age of 35 years. Some players are rather unfortunate and are forced to retire if they have multiple fitness issues or recurring injury problems.
Here’s a list of some of the well-known footballers who announced their retirement in 2024 –
Wojciech Szcz?sny (Poland)
Wojciech Szcz?sny announced his retirement from football in 2024 at just 34 years of age which might have surprised a few people. Wojciech Szcz?sny is a Polish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He started his career with Legia Warsaw in Poland. He has played for top clubs like Arsenal and Juventus in Europe.
Szcz?sny won two FA Cups and the 2014 Community Shield during his time at Arsenal, won three consecutive Serie A titles at Juventus alongside many trophies and featured in 84 International games for Poland. He 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 ?ech. He also won the 2019-20 Serie A Goalkeeper of the year award which also earned him a Yashin Trophy nomination that season.
On his retirement Szcz?sny 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 from professional football in August, 2024.Pepe played as a Centre-back for Portugal and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. He had a fabulous career spanning 23 years.
Pepe started his club career at Marítimo club in Portugal. He played for top clubs like Porto and Real Madrid. He won a bucket-load of trophies with the Galacticos which include three La Liga titles and three Champions League titles among other honours.
Pepe has also participated in four World Cups and five European Championships earning 141 caps for his nation Portugal. He also won the European Championships in 2016 and was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ in the finals. He also won the inaugural UEFA Nations league Trophy with Portugal in 2019.
On his retirement Pepe posted 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 from professional football at the age of 34 years in 2024. Tony Kroos played professional football for Germany as a central midfielder. Widely known for his exceptional passing, crossing, vision and set-piece ability, Tony Kroos has been regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Tony Kroos started his career at Bayern Munich at just 17 years of age. He has played the most for Spanish giants Real Madrid where he moved in 2014 and retired from football having spent 10 years at the same club winning a mammoth 21 Trophies. He won four La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies with Real Madrid among other trophies. He was awarded the Golden Shoe award at the U-17 European Championships in 2006 and the Golden Ball award in the U-17 World Cup in 2007.
He represented Germany in 114 International games for Germany helping them win the 2014 World Cup being the top assister.
On his retirement Tony 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 33 years of age in 2024. Thiago played as a defensive midfielder for Spain National team. He was known as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation and it was an absolute joy to watch him play on a football pitch. Unfortunately, injuries played a huge role in his early retirement as he couldn’t manage his fitness with recurring injury problems.
Thiago joined the famous La Masia academy at Barcelona at age 14 and made his senior debut in 2009. He won several trophies with Barcelona before moving to Bayern Munich where he became an integral part of the Bayern squad for seven years, winning seven consecutive Bundesliga titles and a Champions League in his last season. He moved to Liverpool in 2020 before announcing his retirement. He also represented Spain with 46 caps and played in two European Championships and the 2018 World Cup.
On his retirement, Thiago Alcântara 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)
Leonardo Bonucci announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37 years in 2024. He played as a central defender for Italy and was widely known for his technical ability, his ball playing skills and his tackling.
Leonardo Bonucci started his career at Inter Milan in 2005. He also played in top clubs like Juventus and AC Milan. He made the most appearances for Juventus winning eight Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies among other honours. He also won the Serie A ‘Player of the Year’ award in 2016. He ended his career at Turkish Club Fenerbahçe. Bonucci played more than 120 International games for Italy winning the 2020 European Championships and also represented Italy in two World Cups.
On his retirement, Leonardo Bonucci posted 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)
Marouane Fellaini announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36 years in 2024. Fellaini played as a midfielder for the Belgium National team. He was a strong attack minded player who was versatile enough to play several positions, depending on the team’s requirement.
Mouroane Fellaini started his senior career in Belgium with Standard Liège. He has played for top English clubs Everton and Manchester United but the most appearances for Everton. However, he achieved success at Manchester United winning an FA cup, an EFL cup and a Europa League trophy in 2016/17. He ended his career in the Chinese Super League for Shandong Taishan.
Fellaini represented Belgium in 87 International games, playing in two World Cups, 2016 European Championships and the Olympics.
On his retirement, Marouane Fellaini posted 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)
Joe Hart announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37 years in 2024.Hart played professional football as a goalkeeper for the England National Team.
Joe Hart started his career at Shrewsbury Town in 2003 and has played for Manchester City and Birmingham City having made the most appearances for the Premier League giants. He won two Premier League titles, 2 EFL Cups and an FA Cup with Manchester City. He won four consecutive Premier League Golden Glove awards from 2011-2015. He ended his career at Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Joe Hart also represented England in 75 International games with two World Cups and one European Championships.
On his retirement and his club Celtic, Joe 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. 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.”
Claudio Bravo (Chile)
Claudio Bravo announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41 in 2024. He played for Chile as a goalkeeper.
Bravo began his career at Colo-Colo and moved to Real Sociedad in 2006. He had a long stint at Sociedad and played 237 games for them. He also played for Barcelona and Manchester City winning a lot of the trophies with both the clubs. He ended his career at Real Betis in Spain. He won two La Liga titles and one Champions League with Barcelona and a Premier League and two EFL Cups with Manchester City.
He played for Chile in 150 International games winning one Copa America title and one Copa America Centenario with them.
On his retirement, Claudio Bravo posted 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)
Ryan Bertrand announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34 years in 2024. He played as a left-back for England. Ryan Bertrand was known as a modern-day fullback who could play and assist in attack as well as put in defensive tackles whenever required.
Bertrand started his career at Chelsea’s youth academy in 2005. He won the 2011/12 Champions League and the 2012/13 Europa League trophies with them. He has also played for many English clubs like Aston Villa, Southampton and Leicester City. He has made the most appearances for Southampton. Bertrand earned 19 caps for the English Lions.
On his retirement, Ryan 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 from professional football at the age of 32 years in 2024. He played as a defender for England.
He started his career with Blackburn Rovers but soon joined English Giants Manchester United in 2011 and ended his career after the end of his contract in 2024. He spent more than a decade at Manchester United winning one Premier League, one UEFA Europa League, one FA Cup, two Community Shield trophies with them.
He represented England in 27 International games playing in two World Cups and one European Championships.
On his retirement, Phil 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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