Not all players are lucky enough to have a full career at the top of the game. Even those who possess the talent to remain at the top level into their late 30s have to overcome the lottery of staying fit – and for some, that has been a hurdle too far.
Raphael Varane recently had to retire from an illustrious career at the tender age of 31. His recent knee injury on debut for Italian side Como left the Frenchman with no choice but to say goodbye to professional football.
But he is by no means the last player to abruptly end their football career. Here are 10 others to do so.
Raphael Varane Retired: 2024, age 31
The former Real Madrid centre-back left Manchester United in the summer after helping guide the Red Devils to FA Cup glory in May. He leaves the beautiful game as a World Cup champion and four-time Champions League winner.
Varane started out at Lens before earning a move to Real Madrid at the age of 18. He would go on to become one of Los Blancos’ most inspired signings, winning the bulk of his career trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu.
United came calling in 2022 and the Frenchman brought along his trophy-winning abilities to Old Trafford, leaving the north-west with silverware in each of his two campaigns.
But soon after signing for Cesc Fabregas’ Como, a serious injury prematurely halted Varane’s career.
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ByMark Marston Jul 3, 2023 André Schürrle Retired: 2020, age 29
Former Chelsea and Fulham winger André Schürrle shocked fans across the world as he announced his retirement from football at just 29.
The 57-cap Germany international, who won the World Cup with his nation in 2014, decided to call it quits on his career after Borussia Dortmund terminated his contract following an underwhelming loan spell with Spartak Moscow.
Schürrle explained that his time under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea left his self-esteem in tatters and he often struggled to deal with the pressures placed on him.
Following his retirement in 2020, the German admitted that the “depths became deeper and deeper, and the highs less and less” whilst also citing loneliness as a reason for his decision.
Brian Laudrup Retired: 2000, age 31
Brian Laudrup was a marvellous footballer, but he was persistently plagued by injury. Notwithstanding that, he still produced countless moments of magic and is considered one of the most talented players of his generation.
The Dane, who won the European Championship in 1992, racked up 15 goals and 13 assists for Ajax in his final season, which is a remarkable return for a player who retired that summer.
His chronic Achilles tendon injury was the catalyst for the decision to end his career, as he was told surgery wouldn’t guarantee a solution to the problem.
Hidetoshi Nakata Retired: 2006, age 29
Fans were left stunned when Japan international Hidetoshi Nakata announced his retirement at the age of 29.
He’d just played every minute of the 2006 World Cup group stages, and yet, he decided to hang up his boots with a year remaining on his contract at Fiorentina.
The former Roma midfielder admitted he’d lost his love for the game: “Day after day, I realised that football had just become a big business.
“I could feel that the team were playing just for money and not for the sake of having fun. I always felt that a team was like a big family, but it stopped being like that. I was sad, that’s why I stopped at only 29.”
Patrick Kluivert Retired: 2008, age 32
Patrick Kluivert emerged as one of Europe’s best forwards during the 1990s. The Dutchman enjoyed a goal-littered three-year spell at Ajax, which prompted Serie A giants Milan to sign him in 1997.
But after just one year in Italy, he made the move to Barcelona, where he continued to display his prolific powers, netting 122 times in 257 outings for the Catalan club.
Kluivert’s career began to peter out after departing Barca in 2004, spending brief spells with Newcastle United, Valencia, PSV and Lille before announcing his retirement in 2008.
Jack Wilshere Retired: 2022, age 30
When Jack Wilshere produced that magical display against Pep Guardiola’s relentless Barcelona side in 2011 as a baby-faced teen, many tipped the left-footed midfielder to become one of England’s greatest-ever players. Unfortunately, he failed to fulfil those initial expectations – largely due to injuries.
His early promise was certainly fulfilled to some degree, as he went on to represent England 34 times whilst making just shy of 200 appearances for Arsenal, winning two FA Cups.
But he continued to be plagued by unrelenting injuries throughout his career and decided to step away from the professional game aged 30. He has since taken up a coaching role for the Gunners’ under-18s.
“In truth, it has been difficult to accept that my career has been slipping away in recent times due to reasons outside of my control whilst feeling that I have still had so much to give,” Wilshere said in a statement in 2022.
“However, having had time to reflect and talk with those closest with me, I know that now is the right time and, despite the difficult moments, I look back on my career with great pride at what I have achieved.”
Marco van Basten Retired: 1995, age 30
The Dutch forward is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time after a prolific 301-goal career, which saw him collect three Ballons d’Or.
Sadly though, he played his final game of professional football at the age of 28 due to an ankle injury, which forced him to hang up his boots two years later after failing to recover from surgery.
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The Dutchman’s farewell from football was emotional, as he waved goodbye to the 80,000 Milan fans present at the San Siro in August 1995, with even manager Fabio Capello in tears.
In his autobiography, ‘Basta: My Life, My Truth’, he wrote: “Suddenly it hit me. As clear as day. It struck home. In front of the 80,000. I was witnessing my own farewell. Marco van Basten, footballer, was no more. You were watching someone who had ceased to be. You were clapping for someone who no longer existed. I ran and I clapped, but I was no longer there.”
Eden Hazard Retired: 2023, age 32
Eden Hazard announced his retirement from professional football this week, ending a glittering career which saw him reach heights very few players can achieve.
However, his sudden decline was totally unexpected by many, and left fans wondering what had happened. Well, injuries indeed played a factor, but some voices within the media have suggested his mentality, particularly in Madrid, was to blame.
The Belgian’s first pre-season at Los Blancos saw him arrive a reported seven kilos ‘overweight’ – and that was said to cause friction between him and president Florentino Perez.
It wasn’t his first time struggling with weight upon returning to pre-season – he had a similar instance in 2015 with Chelsea and appeared a shadow of his former self that year.
Whether his sharp drop-off was inflicted by injuries or commitment, it’s all speculation, so perhaps we should centre our focus and admiration around the magical moments he delivered for much of his career.
Gareth Bale Retired: 2023, age 33
Gareth Bale will no doubt go down as one of Wales’ best-ever players. The left-footed wizard lit up the Premier League during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, winning the PFA Player of the Year award twice and creating a highlight reel of outrageous long-distance strikes in the process.
A record-breaking £85.3m move to Real Madrid beckoned in 2013, which saw the Southampton youth product become the most expensive footballer of all time, eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80m transfer.
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His nine-year stay in Spain’s capital saw him score over a century of goals across 258 appearances and win every trophy on offer, including a remarkable five Champions League titles.
At the age of 33, Bale announced his retirement from football, and there’s little doubt he could’ve continued to play at the highest level had he wanted to, but perhaps his drive for the game had dwindled too far.
The final few years of his Madrid career saw him booed by his own fans at times, which by his own admission, affected his confidence.