In the world of football, the lifespan of players is often short, and sometimes, they are faced with difficult decisions that end their careers sooner than expected. One of the controversial topics is footballers who retired too early. These people, despite possessing natural talent and having achieved many successes in their careers, were forced to leave the field for various reasons, from serious injuries to health problems, or even a feeling of no longer being motivated to compete. They are examples of determination, but also a reminder of the fragility of a top sports career. Let’s find out who they are with Bestsoccertips.com!
Top 7 footballers who retired too early
1. Sergio Aguero
Sergio Agüero, one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history, left an indelible legacy at Manchester City. With 184 goals in 275 matches in the English top flight, he was instrumental in helping the team win five Premier League titles. However, Agüero faced a career tragedy when he joined Barcelona in the summer of 2021. After playing just five matches and scoring one goal for the Catalan club, he was diagnosed with a serious chronorrhythmia disorder. To protect his health, Agüero was forced to announce the solution in December of that year, ending his career at the age of 33, when he was still at the peak of his form.
Another name that unfortunately had to say goodbye to the pitch too early was Marco van Basten, a legend of AC Milan and the Netherlands national team. Known for his sculptural skills, superb goalscoring ability and a sensational volley at Euro 1988, van Basten dominated European football in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, a persistent ankle injury ended his career in 1995, aged just 31. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, van Basten was unable to return to action, leaving fans worldwide disappointed and thundering for his dangerous form.
2. Patrick Kluivert
Patrick Kluivert was one of the finest strikers of his generation, leaving a lasting mark on European football history. The youngest player to score in a Champions League final, Kluivert fired Ajax to the 1995 European Championship with the only goal against Juventus. Later, at Barcelona, he became an indispensable factor in the squad, scoring over 15 goals per season for six consecutive years. However, Kluivert’s career ended prematurely when he retired from the field in 2008 at the age of 32, after a short time playing for Lille in Ligue 1.
Patrick Kluivert’s career was not only noted for his goals but also for his elegant playing style and lovely tactical vision. He was a symbol of the golden generation of Ajax and a pillar of the Dutch national team, contributing greatly to major tournaments such as Euro 2000. However, due to serious injuries and a decline in form, he could not continue to maintain his long-term peak. When he announced his retirement, Kluivert left a brilliant but also regretful legacy, because he had the potential to contribute much more to football.
3. Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona, an icon of the “Class of 92” and a key figure in the rise of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, was a unique player in both his style of play and his fighting spirit. With his natural talent and his fighting spirit, Cantona inspired the “Red Devils” to 4 Premier League titles in 5 seasons. However, still at the peak of his career, “King Eric” unexpectedly announced his retirement in 1997 at the age of 30. His reason was simple: “I wanted to do other jobs,” a decision that many supporters regretted but also affirmed his automatic and different calculation. Despite his early retirement, Cantona remains an enduring icon in football history, not only for the trophies he won but also for his ability to boost Manchester United’s morale and style of play, especially in the difficult early years under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Eric Cantona was more than just a player; he was a symbol of riotous creativity on the pitch. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, he brought a unique style of play, combining strength, technique and productive leadership, which had a profound impact on the younger generation of Manchester United players. But in 1997, at the height of his career, Cantona unexpectedly retired from football to pursue other passions, including acting and art. Cantona’s early departure left a huge void at Old Trafford, but also attempted to build his image as a football legend.
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4. Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest midfielders of all time, had his professional football career come to an unfortunate end after the 2006 World Cup. In the final against Italy, Zidane made his mark with a rhythmic panenka to open the scoring for France. However, that glorious image was overshadowed by Marco Materazzi’s famous headbutt in extra time, after the Italian player had given a dance.
The image of Zinedine Zidane leaving the field in the 2006 World Cup final, not because of victory but after being sent off, has become one of the most memorable moments in football history. Before that, Zidane had led France to the finals with a series of world-class performances, demonstrating his defensive role and natural talent. But the collision with Materazzi overshadowed his efforts.
5. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale, known for his blistering pace and ability to create magical moments on the pitch, shocked fans around the world when he announced his retirement on January 9, 2023, shortly after starring for Wales at the 2022 World Cup. Bale, a former star of Real Madrid with five Champions League titles, had lost his passion for football in the later years of his career. The decision ended an iconic journey that spanned more than a decade, where he left his mark as one of the best wingers in the game.
The news of Gareth Bale’s retirement from football was met with much regret by fans, especially those who had followed him from his time at Tottenham Hotspur to his glory years at Real Madrid. Despite winning a host of major trophies including the Champions League and La Liga, Bale’s ability to play gradually faded in the latter stages of his career. His decision to retire after the 2022 World Cup is not only the end of a great career, but also brings back fond memories of his acceleration, spectacular passes and decisive goals.
6. Frank Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard, one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, has chosen to live his playing career to the fullest. He was a key member of the Ajax squad that won the Champions League in 1995, where the Dutch side beat AC Milan 1-0 thanks to a goal from Patrick Kluivert. Notably, this final was also the last match of Rijkaard’s career before he decided to hang up his boots at the age of 32. With his excellent defensive skills, ability to read the game and leadership qualities, Rijkaard left a brilliant legacy in football history. He then turned to coaching and continued to achieve success, most notably winning the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006.
The World Cup is a prestigious stage that every player aspires to participate in, but not everyone is lucky enough to have the opportunity. One of the most controversial was the omission of Inter Milan star Mauro Icardi from Argentina’s 2018 World Cup squad. Coach Jorge Sampaoli’s decision came as a surprise to many, especially after Icardi had enjoyed a stellar season in Serie A, scoring 29 goals. Similarly, Leroy Sané was left out of Germany’s squad by Joachim Löw, despite having just won the Premier League Young Player of the Year award with Manchester City. These absences not only fuelled controversy, but also left their squad lacking key players, leading to disappointing results at the tournament.
7. Michel Platini
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner from 1983 to 1985 officially retired in June 1987, when he was just 32 years old. This decision was a big surprise in the football world, because he was at an age when many players still maintained their high performance. Throughout his career, he achieved many remarkable achievements, especially with the national team, where he contributed to great victories such as the Euro 1984 championship. However, his retirement made many people regret, because they believed that he still had the ability to conquer many more titles.
However, this decision did not receive much attention from football fans, because at this time the French star was still at the peak of his performance. After winning Euro 1984, he was considered one of the best players in the world. However, he decided to retire at the peak of his career, which made many people confused, but also partly showed the strong and decisive character in his choices.
In Summary
Although footballers who retired too early no longer get to witness their own development and advancement throughout their careers, their decisions are often the result of deep and unavoidable reasons. However, their short careers still leave a deep impression on fans, reminding us of the value of every moment on the pitch. They are a testament to the dedication and love of football, although not lasting long, still leaving touching and memorable stories in the history of the sport.
See also: Find out who has more World Cup goals Messi or Ronaldo?
