SUMMARY
- There are quite a few players who moved on to the next phase of their lives by closing the chapter on their illustrious careers.
- The career of the legendary Italian goalkeeper came full circle when he joined Parma in 2021 from Juventus.
Another year is coming to an end, which gives fans a chance to reminisce and look back at the players who bid farewell to the beloved game. There are quite a few players who moved on to the next phase of their lives by closing the chapter on their illustrious careers.
There are five giants of the game on this list and a list of honorable mentions. On this list, there are two Serie A icons, a Spanish legend of a North London club, the biggest player in Wales soccer history, and a Spanish magician. However, the first name on the list goes to a legendary Italian goalkeeper.
6. Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon put a curtain on his 29-year-long career when he announced his retirement back in August at his boyhood club, AC Parma. The career of the legendary Italian goalkeeper came full circle when he joined Parma in 2021 from Juventus, almost 20 years after the first time he moved away from Parma to join Juventus for his big-money move.
BREAKING: legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has decided to retire from professional football — it will be official in the next days ⭐️🇮🇹
Buffon, 45 years old, was playing for Parma last season.
One of the best goalkeepers in history of the game will now retire. pic.twitter.com/j5KpHYd6dU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 1, 2023
The 45-year-old keeper ended his career with around 975 club appearances as well as 176 international appearances for the Italian national side. He won 10 Serie A titles with Juventus, as well as the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy.
5. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale can be considered the biggest player in Wales’ soccer history. A legend at Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. The Welsh winger won everything at England and Spain, along with some memorable goals at some of the biggest stages in the club and international stages.
Wales. Golf. Retirement.
Gareth Bale taps in for par on his first hole of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/xdUtigpUQz
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 2, 2023
The Welshman announced his shock retirement from the game at 34 years old. He last played for the LAFC in the MLS in January 2023. Bale ended his career with 186 goals and 137 assists in 554 matches at the club level. He won five UCL titles, three La Liga titles, and one MLS Cup, along with some other cup competitions.
4. David Silva
The Spanish magician, David Silva, announced his retirement back in July. The 37-year-old ended his 21-year-long career in the sport with a last stint with Real Sociedad in Spain. The playmaker announced himself to the world with impressive performances with the Valencia side in the late 2010s. He moved to Manchester City after winning the FIFA World Cup and enjoyed 10 successful years with the club.
Mornings, happy retirement DAVID SILVA – MERLIN – EL MAGO.💫 pic.twitter.com/m1ZoNfmOhz
— Amit💫🤟🏼 (@meamitshuklaa) December 17, 2023
The Spanish midfielder is often underrated since he grew into prominence when legends like Xavi and Andrés Iniesta were around; however, for Valencia and Manchester City, Silva will always be regarded as a club legend. David ended his career with 121 goals and 194 assists in 747 matches at club level.
3. Cesc Fàbregas
Cesc Fàbregas is another Spanish midfielder who is often underrated due to Andres Iniesta and Xavi in the Spanish setup. The midfielder retired from the sport at the age of 36 with his last appearance coming in the second division of Italy with Como.
It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots.
From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all.
From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and… pic.twitter.com/Wuwj04WanB— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) July 1, 2023
Fàbregas ended his career with two Euro championships, a FIFA World Cup, two English titles with Chelsea, one La Liga title with Barcelona, and many cup trophies. Shockingly, he won the least with Arsenal, a club for which he made the most appearances. Fàbregas ended his career with 125 goals and 217 assists in 739 games across different clubs in Europe.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swedish striker is regarded as a Serie A icon. Zlatan Ibrahimović announced his retirement in the summer at the age of 42 years old. The imposing striker made 283 appearances in Serie A for clubs like AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus, but earned the most love at AC Milan, where he ended his career.
Ibrahimovic flew around Europe and even in the MLS throughout his career, but ended his career without winning a UCL title. However, he did score 496 goals and 205 assists in 827 appearances at club level, as well as 62 goals in 122 appearances for Sweden. Ibrahimovic will surely go down as one of the biggest strikers of this generation.
1. Honorable mentions
A few others were close to making the main list. Among these, the standout players were Mesut Ozil, who was incredible for Arsenal and Real Madrid. The German playmaker won the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and ended his career in March by making his last appearance for Basaksehir in Turkey.
Felipe Luis, the former Atlético Madrid and Brazilian left, also announced his retirement recently after playing his last game for the Brazilian club, Flamengo. A few others who played their last match in 2023 were Theo Walcott, Joao Miranda, Lucas Leiva, Bojan Krkic, and Joaquin Sanchez.