Football fans, coaches and teammates bid farewell to some football legends in 2024.
These players captivated fans with dazzling performances, memorable goals, assists, saves and tackles throughout their illustrious careers.
The legends will be remembered for the iconic moments that shaped their journey, trophies won, records set and individual awards.
In this article, we have looked at the biggest names to retire in 2024 so far.
Pepe
Pepe hung his boots after a career spanning for around 22 years.
During this period, he played for Maritimo, Real Madrid, Besiktas and Porto.
With Real Madris, he won 3 Champions League, 3 La Liga titles with Real Madrid, 2 FIFA Club World Cups, 2 Super Cups, 2 Spanish Cups and 3 Spanish Super Cups.
Pepe also won 5 Portuguese Super Cups, 5 Portuguese Cups and one intercontinental cup with Porto.
He also won Euro 2016 and UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos announced his retirement towards the end of the 2023/24 season with Real Madrid.
Kroos played his last game at the Euro 2024 when Germany was knocked out by Spain in the quarter final.
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He won the 2014 World Cup with Germany and was the country’s 2018 footballer of the year.
Kroos bagged many other trophies including 6 Champions league titles and the FIFA World Cup, 3 bundesliga titles, 4 La Liga titles, 5 Super Cups, 4 Spanish Super Cup, 1 German Super Cup and 1 Spanish Cup.
Claudio Bravo
The Chilean goalkeeper Bravo announced his retirement in August 2024 at the age of 41.
He played for Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Colo-Colo.
He won the Champions league, 2 Copa America trophies, FIFA Club World Cup, the 2 Premier Leagues, 2 La Liga titles, UEFA Super Cup, FA, Spanish Cup, Carabao, Spanish Super Cup, Community Shield and the Chilean Champion.
Joel Matip
Matip confirmed his retirement from football after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract.
The 33-year-old struggled with injuries towards the end of his career. He arrived at Anfield on a free transfer in 2016 from and played a key role in Liverpool winning a Champions League and eventually their first ever Premier League in 2019-20.
Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta announced his retirement at the age of 40 while playing for Vissel Kobe in Japan and UAE Pro League club Emirates.
Iniesta earned the nickname ‘midfield maestro’ due to his impressive displays while playing for Barcelona and the Spain national team.
Also Read: Footballers who Retired Without Ever Receiving a Red Card
The former Spain international has won every major trophy at club and international level., including the Euros, UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup.
His most memorable moment came when he scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.
Raphael Varane
Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and France defender Varane retired from football in September 2024 at the age of 31.
Varane joined Italian side Como on a free transfer in July but suffered a knee injury on his debut against Sampdoria last month.
He won the 2018 World Cup and the FA Cup and an EFL Cup with United.
Varane won three LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues and UEFA Club World Cup at Madrid.
He was appointed as Como 1907 board member after his retirement.
Phil Jones
Former England and Manchester United defender announced his retirement in August 2024.
He won the Premier League, FA, Carabao Cup and the Community Shield.
Jones said he has completed the A licence and is ready to take up a coaching role.
Thiago Alcantara
Former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara announced his retirement in July 2024 after leaving Liverpool.
He joined Barcelona’s coaching staff but left after completing his internship under Hansi Flick to obtain the coaching license.
Thiago won 7 Bundesliga titles, 4 German Cups, 2 Champions leagues and a host of other trophies.
Leonardo Bonucci
Former Italy, Juventus and AC Milan defender Leonardo Bonucci announced his retirement from football in May 2024.
Fenerbahce was his final club was his after leaving Union Berlin in January.
Bonucci won the European Championship with his country in 2020, 9 Serie A titles and all the domestic trophies in Seria A.
Ryan Bertrand
Former Chelsea, Southampton and England left-back Bertrand announced his retirement from football in June 2024.
Bertrand won the Champions League, Europa League and the FA Cup with Chelsea: and the Community Shield with Leicester.
Joe Hart
The Manchester City legendary goalkeeper is among the players who hung their boots
He won 2 Premier League titles, FA Cup and the 2 Carabao Cups during his 12 years at City.
Hart is also a 3 times Scottish champion, 2 times Scottish Cup winner and 2 times Scottish League Cup winner.
Marouane Fellaini
The Belgian midfielder retired from professional football in February 2024.
Fellaini played for Standard Liege, Everton, Manchester United and SD Luneng during his 18 years of professional football.
He won the Europa League, FA Cup, Community Shield and the Carabao Cup with United.
Fellaini is also a Chinese champion,2 times Belgian champion and 2 times Chinese Cup winner.
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