Everything worthwhile has to end. Since soccer players’ careers inevitably end in retirement, this cliche also applies to their professions. It is becoming increasingly difficult for supporters to say goodbye to professional soccer players when they eventually decide to hang up their boots since they are retiring later in life than their parents.
So without wasting any time let us look at the players who will possibly hang up their boots in 2024 and call it off on their professional careers as soccer players:
1. Pepe (40 years old):
At forty years old, Pepe, who is widely considered one of the best defenders of his period, is still doing great. He broke the 17-year record held by Alessandro Costacurta on October 25, 2023, when he played in a 4-1 group stage win away at Royal Antwerp, becoming the oldest outfield player to do so at 40 years and 241 days.
Pepe saw red 🟥 as Sporting go back to the 🔝 of Liga Portugal pic.twitter.com/kCxB5ag9ko
— Football Focus (@Footballfocus98) December 19, 2023
In the rematch on November 7, Pepe headed in Porto’s second goal in a 2-0 victory over Royal Antwerp. This broke Manfred Burgsmüller’s record of being the oldest goalscorer in UEFA Champions League history, which had stood since 1988. Pepe is 40 years and 254 days old. He may retire in 2024 as he enters the final years of his career.
2. Giorgio Chiellini (39 years old):
Giorgio Chiellini is regarded as one of the finest defenders of his time. He is renowned for his physicality, tenacity, and man-marking skills in addition to his versatility as a three- or four-man defender. Chiellini played immensely for club and country throughout his career.
Disappointed about losing the MLS Cup final, but incredibly proud of my teammates and the effort they put in. Thanks to everyone for the amazing support throughout the season. ⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/V1so9w3cY8
— Giorgio Chiellini (@chiellini) December 10, 2023
He was a member of Juventus for the majority of his career. After leaving Italy in 2022 to join Los Angeles FC in the United States, the Italian won the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield in his debut season. Chiellini, who is 39, might be thinking about hanging up the boots in 2024.
3. Guillermo Ochoa (38 years old):
Guillermo Ochoa, who competed in five FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), is well-known throughout the world for his dependability and clutch performances in the World Cup final. He was the cult-hero one may call it for the Mexican international side in the 2014 World Cup.
Hola Guillermo Ochoa somos campeones 🥹🥹💛
Se que también estás feliz 💛🥹 pic.twitter.com/5WH465j7K4
— LUIS FERNANDO 🇧🇷🪇 (@LF_LM16) December 18, 2023
Who can forget his amazing performances in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup? With 148 appearances overall, Ochoa is presently third on the all-time list and has the most caps of any goalkeeper in the history of the Mexican national team. However, he may be calling quits on his illustrious career in 2024.
4. Hugo Lloris (36 years old):
Spurs have had Hugo Lloris since 2012. Ten years later, he was no longer needed. Lloris was not included in Tottenham’s preseason tour, the club announced in July 2023. The statement said that Lloris was free to “explore prospective transfer opportunities.”
On This Day in 2021, we beat West Ham 2-1 in the Carabao Cup QF, with Hugo Lloris pulling off this world class save 👏 #THFC pic.twitter.com/alFhIy15mO
— COYS.com (@COYS_com) December 22, 2023
The Tottenham Hotspurs team announced in August 2023 that Son Heung-min had taken Lloris’ spot as captain. Nevertheless, Lloris stayed with the team and kept up his training regimen even though the newly appointed coach Ange Postecoglou did not include him in the matchday squads. This may have well and truly led to him considering retirement in 2024.