The list of top retired football players in 2024
The life of a footballer is often short. At most, they usually have a career of no more than 20 years on the pitch, with 35 being the traditional retirement age. With demands so high and the fixture list continuing to increase, it is no surprise that the door to retirement eventually opens. Some look forward to the prospect of hanging up their boots, especially after spending their lives pushing themselves to the limit on the pitch. It is tiring, draining and they have little time to rest. For others, however, there is nothing worse than a change of routine. The cliché that athletes die twice exists for a reason. In 2024, concerns about fixture congestion and player welfare are only going to increase. It is unclear whether this will have a direct impact on players deciding to retire, but something needs to be done – otherwise, footballers will be negatively affected. Premiumsoccertips has outlined the top retired football players in 2024 so far.
9 top footballers retiring in 2024
1. Marouane Fellaini
In February 2024, Marouane Fellaini, one of the highest-paid players in China Super League history, decided to hang up his boots for the final time. After playing in Asia for five years, it was no surprise that he had made a significant amount of money for himself — and that seems to have led to his momentous decision. “What an incredible journey,” Fellaini shared in a social media post.
Where other players try to stay in the background, Fellaini is the opposite. His iconic hairstyle, flying in the air, makes him practically unmissable when he plays for Everton — and his ‘clutch’ impact in the final third speaks for itself. During Manchester United’s most barren years, Fellaini was one of the few players they could rely on. His powerful headers, remarkable work ethic and charisma that brought life to a dull club endeared him to fans, even when he was not one of the world’s best players.
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, standing out from the crowd with his charisma, personality and almost acceptable cockiness.
His time at Man City, while good, ended in disappointment as Pep Guardiola opted for a goalkeeper who could play out from the back. The Englishman has since been all over Europe before becoming a cult hero at Celtic. Even in the 2023/24 season, he is still shining for the legendary Scottish side, but he doesn’t want his ‘body to retire’.
3. Ryan Bertrand
2012 hero. Ryan Bertrand will always hold legendary status among Chelsea fans for his role in the club’s first Champions League triumph. Starting in the final against Bayern Munich as an unconventional left-back with little experience, 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 do after their careers, the left-back kept mum when announcing his decision. “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.
4. Leonardo Bonucci
“It’s coming Rome”, Leonardo Bonucci famously shouted as Italy won Euro 2020 on penalties against England. It angered the Three Lions, of course, 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. For most, that would be unthinkable, but the veteran centre-back has been a consistent force in one of the most challenging leagues in modern times.
Juventus said goodbye to Bonucci in September 2023, marking his first step towards retirement after unimpressive spells with Union Berlin and Fenerbahce. The Italian giants released a tearful club statement declaring: “The bond that unites us cannot be broken”.
5. Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara has announced his retirement from football 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 that have kept him from regularly playing alongside the best midfielders.
At his best, he 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 on. 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 have enjoyed it”, he posted on social media.
6. Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is not only one of the greatest midfielders of all time, but is also arguably one of the best players ever. There is nothing more exciting than watching the German play in midfield, as he and Luka Modric dominate games for Real Madrid. He announced his retirement on 21 May 2024, so a Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund would be the perfect send-off for Kroos.
However, his final game will come at Euro 2024, when international glory has eluded him. He won the 2014 World Cup with his country, but success on home soil a decade later was impossible as Germany lost 2-1 to Spain in the quarter-finals. Despite that disappointment, he signed at the highest level, which is exactly what he wanted. “My ambition has always been to end my career at the top of my game”, Kroos shared in a post on his Instagram account.
7. Pepe
Pepe was not the type to walk into that auspicious night lightly. After a hugely successful and explosive career at the pinnacle of the European game with Real Madrid, where he won 13 trophies and missed 20 games through suspension, the injurious centre-back became a free agent at the age of 35 in the winter of 2018.
Many lesser players would have hung up their boots, content with their trophy cabinet and bulging bank account. But not Pepe. The naturalised Portuguese spent another five-and-a-half years back at Porto, leading them to two top-flight titles and four cup triumphs.
While Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion in Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad was lamented endlessly, the presence of Pepe, who is two years older than his good friend, was never questioned. At 41, the oldest player in European Championship history turned back the clock with a series of commanding performances, proving that he has, in the words of coach Roberto Martinez, “genetics you can’t buy”. But even the ageless Pepe had to call it quits a month after the tournament.
8. Wojciech Szczesny
Wojciech Szczesny has surprisingly announced his retirement in August 2024 at the age of 34. Throughout his illustrious career, the Polish goalkeeper has been one of the most reliable options. He won two FA Cups with Arsenal before moving to Juventus and dominating Italian football. This included three Serie A titles and three Coppa Italias.
As one of the best goalkeepers in the world at his peak, he consistently won matches for his team. “I have not only realised my dreams, I have gone where my imagination did not even dare to take me,” he wrote on social media. “I have played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior”.
9. Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane has always managed his football career himself. When Zinedine Zidane called him to try to lure the talented teenager away from Lens to Real Madrid, Varane politely cut the conversation short to focus on studying for his university entrance exams. To the surprise of many, the Frenchman ended his playing career at the age of 31. Seven members of the Como squad he joined in July are older than Varane, but few on any team on the continent can boast such a trophy-laden legacy.
Varane’s final start of his career was for Manchester United in this year’s FA Cup final, which was the 2018 World Cup winner’s 22nd trophy. “I have won more than I could have dreamed of,” the centre-back said after a knee injury this summer cut short his time at Como, “but beyond the accolades and trophies, I am proud that no matter what, I have remained true to my principles of being sincere and trying to leave every place better than I found it”.
Conclude
In 2024, football fans witnessed the retirement of several iconic players, each leaving behind an indelible mark on the sport. From Marouane Fellaini’s clutch performances to Toni Kroos’s midfield mastery, these individuals defined eras with their skills, resilience, and dedication. As fixture congestion and player welfare remain pressing issues, it is a fitting moment to reflect on the careers of these top retired football players. Their legacies will continue to inspire future generations, serving as a testament to the beauty and challenges of a life devoted to football.
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