A footballer’s career is often short, with most retiring by 35 after about 20 years in the game. Footballer who retired in 2024 highlights the reality that football’s physical demands and increasingly packed schedules make retirement inevitable. While some players are ready to move on, others struggle with life after football. Athletes are often said to “die twice”: once when they retire and again later in life.

In 2024, the issue of intense match schedules and player health has grown serious. Although it’s unclear if this directly causes retirements, the impact is undeniable if left unaddressed.

Here are some famous footballers who retired in 2024.

List of Biggest Footballer Who Retired in 2024

Name	Last Club	Nationality	Age
Raphael Varane	Como	France	31
Wojciech Szczesny	Juventus	Poland	34
Pepe	Porto	Portugal	41
Toni Kroos	Real Madrid	Germany	34
Thiago Alcantara	Liverpool	Spain	33

1. Marouane Fellaini

In February 2024, Marouane Fellaini, who was one of the highest-paid players in the Chinese Super League, decided to call it quits. After spending five years playing in Asia, he made a good living and finally chose to retire. Fellaini expressed his gratitude in a social media post, saying, “What an amazing journey it’s been.”

Known for his iconic hairstyle and strong performances, especially at Everton, Fellaini made his mark with powerful headers and hard work. During tough times at Manchester United, he was a reliable player, earning the affection of fans even if he wasn’t the most skilled on the team.

Career Stats:

Club	Matches	Goals	Assists
Everton	177	33	24
Manchester United	177	22	9
Shandong Taishan	141	50	14
Standard Liege	84	12	6

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2. Joe Hart

Joe Hart was a key part of Manchester City’s first Premier League title win in 2012. Known for his confidence, he became a fan favorite at Celtic, where he continued to play until his retirement in 2024. Though his Manchester City career ended when Pep Guardiola preferred a keeper who could play out from the back, Hart continued to shine for other clubs.

He decided to retire while still performing well at Celtic, stating that he didn’t want to keep playing until his body forced him to stop.

Career Stats:

Club	Matches	Goals Conceded	Clean Sheets
Manchester City	348	347	137
Celtic	153	145	64
Shrewsbury Town	55	63	15

3. Ryan Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand will always be remembered by Chelsea fans for playing a key role in their 2012 Champions League win. Although he retired in June 2024, he had been without a club for some time after leaving Leicester City. Bertrand has kept quiet about his plans for the future, but he confirmed his retirement via a BBC interview.

Career Stats:

Club	Matches	Goals	Assists
Southampton	240	8	17
Norwich City	60	0	2
Chelsea	57	2	2

4. Leonardo Bonucci

Famous for shouting, “It’s coming Rome!” after Italy’s Euro 2020 win, Leonardo Bonucci is one of the greatest defenders in football history. He retired after an incredible career, winning nine Serie A titles. In 2023, Juventus said farewell to him with a heartfelt statement, marking the beginning of his retirement journey.

Career Stats:

Club	Matches	Goals	Assists
Juventus	502	37	10
AC Milan	51	2	1

5. Thiago Alcantara

Thiago Alcantara retired in July 2024 after leaving Liverpool. Although injuries prevented him from playing as much as fans wanted, he was still a legendary midfielder, known for his passing skills. Despite the setbacks, Thiago was satisfied with his career and thanked everyone who helped him along the way.

Career Stats:

Club	Matches	Goals	Assists
Bayern Munich	235	31	37
Barcelona	100	11	20
Liverpool	98	3	6

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Top 5 Biggest Footballer Who Retired in 2024