At what age do soccer players retire? Which football player retired recently?

At what age do soccer players retire? And what are the different factors that lead to top soccer stars deciding to retire and look for a new path after retirement? In this article, these are the questions that Kingsoccertips.com will answer. We will discuss the average retirement age of soccer players and the main factors that lead to a professional soccer player retiring. We will also look at why a player might retire earlier than usual and then we will answer some questions related to the retirement of famous soccer players in detail.

At what age do soccer players retire?

At what age do most soccer players retire? The retirement age of a professional soccer player varies due to a number of factors, including the individual’s body, recovery and injuries. Some players who are prone to injury may retire early, while those who are fit may continue for a long time. Minutes also need to be considered; players who play a lot from a young age may burn out early.

Former player Michael Owen admitted that his high workload at a young age shortened his career. He believes that minute management for young players helps prolong their careers. Owen retired at 33, despite his success coming at a young age.

Typically, male players retire between 34 and 36, while female players between 32 and 34. This reflects the differences in funding and expertise in the sport. Overall, the average retirement age has increased thanks to improvements in fitness and nutrition, but staying fit into your 30s remains a challenge.

5 top reasons why soccer players retire

At what age do professional soccer players retire? While most oldest football player to retire are around 35, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is still scoring regularly at 39 (albeit for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional Soccer League, not at the top of the global game). And he’s not the only one — there are plenty of talented players who continue to play in the professional game well into their late 30s. Meanwhile, some players decide to retire early, in their 30s, or even their late 20s. Many factors can influence these decisions; here are five of the most important.

1. Recurring injuries

Many players have returned to full fitness after serious injuries, but when the injury recurs over a long period of time, it can become extremely frustrating and the doctor may advise you to stop. For example, three-time Ballon d’Or winner Marco van Basten was forced to retire at the age of 30 after suffering an ankle injury that got worse over time despite multiple surgeries and a two-year layoff. Eventually, it became too much.

2. Career-ending injuries

Sometimes, a player will suffer a devastating injury from which there is no return. Football is a contact sport and can be dangerous at times; a prime example of this occurred in 2000, when promising young Aston Villa striker Luc Nilis collided with Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright and suffered a horrific injury, breaking his right leg in two places. The injury was so severe that he could no longer play professional football.

3. Age, pure and simple

It is unrealistic to expect anyone to play forever. Even with the most dedicated professionals, who take incredibly good care of their bodies and do everything they can to continue playing at a high level, there comes a time when you can no longer compete as you once did. It is rare to see someone playing into their 40s, and although there have been notable anomalies such as Teddy Sheringham, Roger Milla and Pepe (who is still captain of Porto today at the age of 41), the cold, hard reality of time means that everyone eventually has to call it a day.

4. Loss of appetite for the game

Footballers all have different views on the game; While some will do everything they can to continue playing into their 30s and beyond, there are others who simply no longer enjoy playing professional football. Players like Gareth Bale, Andre Schurrle and David Bentley — who once recalled that “eventually I just got bored with all the crap that came with it” — have all retired at relatively young ages because they simply lost the hunger, desire and love for the game.

5. The mental and emotional demands

This follows on from the last point, but it’s worth mentioning that the constant pressure, structural changes, physical exertion and high drama of professional football can take a serious toll on a player mentally and emotionally. While some can handle these demands without being affected, some other players struggle and those who can handle it tend to retire earlier.

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Top 5 football players who retired recently

1. Marouane Fellaini

In February 2024, Marouane Fellaini, one of the highest-earning players in the history of the Chinese Super League, decided to officially retire from football. After five years playing in Asia, it was no surprise that he had amassed an impressive income — which seems to have influenced his momentous decision. “It’s been an amazing journey,” Fellaini shared in a social media post.

Where other players chose to stay out of the spotlight, Fellaini stood out. His signature, windblown hairstyle made him instantly recognisable when he played for Everton — and his decisive influence in the final third proved it. During Manchester United’s most difficult years, Fellaini was one of the few players the club could rely on. His powerful headers, superb professionalism and ability to breathe life into a struggling team have won him fans, despite him not being one of the best players in the world.

2. Joe Hart

When you think of the greatest goalkeepers in the Premier League, Joe Hart often comes up on the list. He was instrumental as Manchester City won the competition for the first time in 2012, with his charisma, personality and almost acceptable cockiness standing out from the crowd. However, while his time at City was a success, it ended in disappointment as Pep Guardiola opted for a goalkeeper who could play out from the back.

The Englishman has since travelled across Europe, rediscovering his form and finding success at other clubs, before becoming a cult hero at Celtic. Even in the 2023/24 season, he is still shining for the legendary Scottish side, but he does not want to ‘retire his body’, proving that he still has the desire to contribute on the pitch.

3. Ryan Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand will always hold legendary status among Chelsea fans for his role in the club’s first Champions League win in 2012. Starting in the final against Bayern Munich as an unconventional and inexperienced left-back, he excelled, helping the Blues achieve their ultimate goal in the sport. He announced his retirement in June 2024, but was without a club in his final year after leaving Leicester City.

While some people like to be explicit about what they will do after their careers, the left-back has kept his decision to himself. “It’s been a while, but I’ve been asked a lot – ‘When are you coming back, what are you doing?’ So to make it official, I’m retiring and I’m looking forward to the next steps,” he told the BBC. Whatever he chooses to do, he has had an impressive career on the pitch, not least with a memorable moment in Chelsea’s Champions League history.

4. Leonardo Bonucci

Leonardo Bonucci famously shouted the words as Italy won Euro 2020 on penalties against England. Of course, it angered the Three Lions, but for the Italian it cemented his legendary status as one of the greatest centre-backs of all time. The Italy captain has won nine Serie A titles, a feat that would be unthinkable to most. However, Bonucci has been a consistent force in one of the most challenging leagues in the world.

Juventus said goodbye to Bonucci in September 2023, marking his first step towards retirement after underwhelming spells with Union Berlin and Fenerbahce. The Italian giants issued a tearful statement: “The bond that unites us cannot be broken.” It was a poignant tribute to a legend who has dedicated his entire career to Juventus and the national team.

5. Thiago Alcantara

Thiago Alcantara announced his retirement in July 2024 after leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season. He has had a legendary career, winning two Champions Leagues and 11 league titles, but there will always be a ‘what if’. The Spaniard has been plagued by injury problems, preventing him from regularly playing alongside the best midfielders.

At his best, Thiago is a spectacular passer of the ball, but he also spends a lot of time in the medical room. By gliding around the middle of the pitch and dictating plays, opposition players hate playing against him when he is around. However, despite his natural frustration, the former Barcelona midfielder is happy with his decision. “I will always be ready to give back what I have been given, and I am grateful for that time. I enjoyed it,” he posted on social media.

To Wrap It Up

So at what age do soccer players retire? It’s usually between 34 and 36, but there’s a big difference depending on health, injuries, and passion for the game. Some players retire early due to physical problems or lack of motivation, while others continue playing longer due to good care of their bodies and a strong passion. Every player has their own path when it comes to deciding to retire. Thanks for following our article!

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