Top 10 footballers who retired too early and what we missed

In the world of football, there are many footballers who retired too early, and one of them is Raphael Varane, who decided to retire at the age of 31 after a serious knee injury. Although he had just joined FC Como after leaving Manchester United, Varane had to end his illustrious career in his first match for the new club. After a stable season at Manchester United, he shared that he wanted to leave when he reached the highest standards, not just maintain his form. This decision surprised many people and raised questions about other stars who retired too early, when they could still play for a few more years. Below is a list of 10 typical players that Premiumsoccertips has listed, evaluating them according to many different factors.

Top 10 players who retired too young

10. Patrick Kluivert

Retired at 32

Patrick Kluivert carved his name into football history as a teenager, scoring the winning goal in the 1995 Champions League final as Ajax beat Juventus 1-0. That feat cemented his status as a club icon, despite being just 18 at the time. Having shone for Ajax alongside a generation of young talent, Kluivert quickly attracted attention and moved to AC Milan before joining Barcelona. At the Camp Nou, he established himself as one of the club’s top strikers, scoring at least 15 goals in each of six consecutive La Liga campaigns.

Kluivert also made a huge impact for the Netherlands, becoming their all-time leading goalscorer with 40 goals, before being broken by Robin van Persie in 2013. However, after leaving Barca, he never achieved such success and went through four clubs in four years, with Lille being the final stop of his career in 2008, at the age of 32.

9. Alan Shearer (international football)

Retired at 29

Alan Shearer, one of the greatest strikers in English football history, surprisingly retired from international football in 2000, aged just 29. This was particularly remarkable given that he maintained his top form and played at club level for another six years, until he was 35. For his country, Shearer made a strong impression with 30 goals in 63 appearances, scoring in three major tournaments. Euro 96 was his peak, when he led the Three Lions attack and scored four goals, taking the team to the semi-finals.

However, after Euro 2000, Shearer surprisingly decided to hang up his boots for the national team, despite still having much potential to contribute. This decision led to much regret and speculation about his possible return for the 2002 World Cup or Euro 2004, but that did not happen. Despite his early retirement, Shearer’s legacy in the Three Lions jersey will always be remembered, representing the sharpness, bravery and outstanding goal-scoring ability of a top striker.

8. Raphael Varane

Retires at 31

Raphael Varane, one of the most decorated defenders in Champions League history, has decided to retire at the age of 31, leaving many fans with regrets. This decision came shortly after he began a new challenge in Como, a beautiful city in Northern Italy, but serious injuries forced him to say goodbye to the pitch sooner than expected.

Varane quickly made an impression in his career when he joined Real Madrid in 2011, after only one season playing professionally at RC Lens, France. At Real Madrid, he became a mainstay of the defense, contributing significantly to the Royal team’s brilliant period of success. Varane helped Real Madrid win three consecutive Champions League titles, along with many other titles such as La Liga and Copa del Rey, affirming his position as one of the best defenders in the world. Despite his move to Manchester United in 2021 not living up to the highest expectations, Varane has shown top form and professionalism in every match.

7. Just Fontaine

Retires at 28

Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, set over four tournaments from 2002 to 2014, is a feat that will be hard to surpass but still within the reach of future generations. However, Just Fontaine’s feat of scoring 13 goals in a single tournament at the 1958 World Cup will probably live on forever. This extraordinary achievement is not only a testament to Fontaine’s outstanding talent but also a milestone that is unlikely to be repeated in world football history.

The 1958 World Cup in Sweden was the pinnacle of Fontaine’s career, where he scored 13 goals in just six matches, leading France to the semi-finals. However, his brilliance was not limited to the international stage. Fontaine was also a formidable striker for his club, scoring 165 goals in 200 Ligue 1 appearances. Unfortunately, his era lacked the advanced medical and training methods of today, making recurring injuries a nightmare. At the age of 28, Fontaine was forced to retire in 1962, ending the career of one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Although short-lived, his legacy lives on in the hearts of his fans.

6. Toni Kroos

Retires at 34

Toni Kroos, one of the best midfielders in modern football history, has decided to end his illustrious career in the summer of 2024 when his contract with Real Madrid ends. From Bayern Munich, where he started his title-winning career, to Real Madrid, where he became a legend, Kroos has won almost every glory a player can dream of. At 34, he is still in top form, helping Real Madrid win the La Liga and Champions League double in his final season. Kroos’ decision to retire is a regret, because he still has a lot to contribute thanks to his ability to control the game and his superb tactical vision.

Despite his success at club level, Kroos could not add any international titles with the German national team in the final years of his career. He will leave Die Mannschaft after Euro 2024, where Germany were eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals, ending his dream of lifting another trophy. However, Kroos’ legacy is priceless: an exemplary midfielder with an intelligent, calm and precise style of play. Over the past 15 years, very few players have been able to maintain his level and influence, making Kroos a symbol of perseverance and success in football.

5. Eric Cantona

Retired at 30

While the Class of ’92 were the foundation of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United revolution, Cantona was the leader. The Frenchman struggled to find a home throughout a turbulent career, and his France career was in tatters when he arrived at Old Trafford in 1992. However, over the next five years, Cantona inspired United to four Premier League titles, cementing his legacy as one of English football’s greatest imports.

But after the last of those tournament victories in 1997, the striker hung up his boots at the age of 30. In a typically confident statement, he explained: “I played professional football for 13 years, which is a long time. Now I want to do other things. I always planned to retire when I was at my peak and, at Manchester United, I reached the peak of my career.” Yes, those other things are acting – he appeared in a Liam Gallagher music video a few years ago – although he has also won a Beach Soccer World Cup with France.

If you’re looking to improve your betting strategy, make sure to check out some expert soccer tips before placing your wagers.

4. Marco van Basten

Retired at 31

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Marco van Basten was regarded as one of the world’s greatest strikers, scoring 282 goals in 379 games for Ajax and AC Milan. His brilliance on the pitch earned him three Ballon d’Ors (1988, 1989 and 1992), cementing his legendary status. Most memorable was his role in the historic 1988 European Championship, where his stunning goal against the Soviet Union in the final helped the Netherlands win their first and only international trophy to date.

However, van Basten’s illustrious career was cut short by serious injuries. A persistent ankle injury forced him to undergo three operations. The last, after a brutal foul by Basile Boli in the 1993 Champions League final, ended his career at AC Milan. Van Basten never returned to the pitch and announced his retirement in 1995, aged just 31. Asked recently what his career would have been like if he had continued, van Basten said: “I would like to know what it would have been like if I had played until I was 38. I think I could have played better than Cristiano Ronaldo.” Such comments only added to the regret of a legend lost to football too soon.

3. Footballers who retired too early: Michel Platini

Retires at 32

Michel Platini, now known as the morally questionable former UEFA president, was one of the world’s greatest players in the 1980s. His three Ballon d’Or wins (1983, 1984 and 1985) were testament to his immense talent, as he not only led the French national team, but also starred for clubs like Juventus and St. Etienne. In France’s historic victory at Euro 1984, Platini scored nine goals in five games, an impressive feat that helped the team win the tournament on home soil.

However, despite being at the peak of his career, Platini decided to retire in 1987 at the age of 32, a decision that came as a surprise to many fans. He did, however, make a brief comeback in 1988, when he played in an international friendly between Kuwait and the Soviet Union, but after just one day, Platini announced his retirement from football. His legacy, however, lives on in the hearts of fans, not only for his illustrious achievements but also for his impressive career at club and international level.

2. Zinedine Zidane

Retired at 34

Zinedine Zidane was 34 when he retired after the 2006 World Cup, which would have been the ideal age to retire. However, his performances at the tournament showed that he still had plenty of fire left in him. The French playmaker played his heart out throughout the tournament as Les Bleus reached the final. It was seen as the perfect end to Zidane’s illustrious career, but it turned into a nightmare when he headbutted Marco Materazzi in stoppage time and was sent off. Italy won the penalty shootout, so Zidane’s final game ended in disgrace and defeat.

Despite his actions, he was awarded the Golden Ball for best player of the tournament the following day. Given all he achieved in the game, it’s a shame his career ended in such controversy – his legacy deserved better. At least he maintained his legendary status and contributed to the game as an excellent coach, winning the Champions League three times with Real Madrid.

1. George Best

Retired at 28

At his peak, Best was one of the greatest players to ever play the game. At his worst, his off-field problems overshadowed his talent. The Northern Ireland international helped Manchester United win the European Cup in 1968, while he scored 179 goals in 410 games for the Red Devils. He even won the Ballon d’Or the year United achieved continental success, but his and the club’s decline began after that.

Best was suffering from alcoholism by the time he retired, for the second time, in 1974 at the age of 28. He did return to the sport after just 12 months but never recaptured his former form, eventually retiring altogether after nine years. Sadly, the legend passed away in 2005.

General Conclusion

There have been many footballers who retired too early, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering what might have been if they had continued their careers. Players like Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, and others were forced to end their time on the pitch due to injury or personal decisions, despite still having much to offer. While their early retirements prevent them from reaching even greater heights, their legacies remain unforgettable. Their remarkable talent and accomplishments on the field continue to inspire future generations of footballers. Though their careers may have been short, their impact on the sport is lasting.

See more: Top players most offside goals in football history Premier league