Modern advancements in science, health, and lifestyle choices have allowed many football players to continue playing well into their late thirties. Let’s explore when football players retire.
Most football players retire in their mid-thirties. However, some may retire in their twenties or early thirties due to injuries, lack of interest, or health issues. Despite this, a few players have managed to compete into their forties or even fifties, although they might not perform at the top level.
Generally, goalkeepers and defensive players can extend their careers longer than those in attacking roles. Thanks to improvements in health, fitness, and nutrition, today’s players are often able to play longer than those from twenty or thirty years ago.
Several factors contribute to a football players retire. Age and injuries are two of the main reasons. Financial stability also plays a role; many players earn large sums of money that allow them to retire comfortably. With the high transfer fees and salaries in modern football, some players may lose their passion for the game.
Players can often retire early, even if they are still performing well, due to their financial security. Wealthy leagues in China and Saudi Arabia attract players with lucrative offers. Countries like Qatar and the UAE have changed the landscape of football, driving up player prices and wages.
Younger players once moved to China for better pay, but now the Saudi Pro League is targeting them. Players can earn significant salaries outside of Europe, often bypassing the chance to compete for major trophies. Even top stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is nearing forty, chose to accept an enormous contract from the Saudi royal family instead of staying in a European league.
Impact of Aging on Performance
There are many differences between professional athletes and amateurs, including skill level and athletic intelligence. However, one key factor that cannot be trained is speed. As players age and their pace decreases, it can signal the end of their ability to perform at a high level.
Typically, only goalkeepers can continue playing professionally until they are around forty. Gianluigi Buffon, considered one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, retired at 45 after a 28-year career. He started playing for Parma at age 17 and concluded his career at the same club.
Central defenders can also extend their careers into their late thirties if they stay healthy. They tend to have longer careers than attacking midfielders or forwards. Paolo Maldini, a legendary Italian defender, played for AC Milan for 25 seasons, retiring at 41 after debuting in 1984.
However, some players face injuries that force them to retire early. Raphaël Varane, a defender who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, retired at 31 due to a serious knee injury. Enoch Mwepu, who played for Brighton & Hove Albion, also had to retire at just 24 because of a hereditary heart condition.
Fabrice Muamba, a central midfielder for Bolton Wanderers, experienced a cardiac arrest during a match in 2012. After recovering, he had to retire for health reasons.
Notable Early Retirements
Player
Age
Reason
Enoch Mwepu
24
Hereditary heart condition
Fabrice Muamba
24
Cardiac arrest
Just Fontaine
28
Recurring leg injury
Hidetoshi Nakata
29
Disillusionment / greed
Eric Cantona
30
Lack of motivation and passion
Raphaël Varane
31
Serious knee injury
Eric Cantona surprised many by retiring at 30. He felt disillusioned with the game and mentioned fearing “the emptiness” once he lost his passion for football.
Zlatan Ibrahimović, a renowned striker, began his professional career at 17 and played until he was 41, retiring from AC Milan in 2023.
Hidetoshi Nakata, who represented Japan 77 times, retired at 29. He cited a loss of passion for the sport and the commercialization of football as reasons for his early retirement. He felt that the game had become too focused on money rather than enjoyment and team spirit, which deeply saddened him.
