For every professional sportsman – whether it be NFL players, tennis stars or the very best footballers, there is one day that they all dread and that is the day where they leave the world of sport and retire.
In the world of football, the end of this summer’s European Championships will see some truly great players hang up their boots and embark on the next chapter of their lives. Set to be greatly missed by the entire football community, our resident football expert Kate Richardson takes an in-depth look at six players who look to have played their last ever games.
Big Football Players Name Who Have Retired in 2024
2024 will say goodbye to six players who have tasted success at the very highest level. Our list of players who are set for retirement this summer includes players who have won numerous domestic leagues, European Championships, the World Cup and Champions Leagues. Let’s dive into it.
Thiago Alcantara Shocks World With Early Retirement
Thiago Alcantara has enjoyed a stellar career which has sadly come to a premature end due to a raft of injuries finally catching up with him.
In a career that has seen him play professionally in Spain, Germany and England, Thiago garnered a reputation for being one of the finest midfielders of his generation. A supreme passer of the ball, he was a pure technician and has played leading roles in helping both Barcelona and Bayern Munich win the Champions League.
Fact: Capped 42 times for Spain, Thiago was the man many believed would step into the void left by Xavi and Andreas Iniesta but sadly injuries stopped him from guiding Spain back to glory.
At just 33, many felt that Thiago still had much to give, but with his body unable to keep up with the demands of the modern game, this summer he announced his retirement much to the shock of the entire football community. Upon retiring Thiago stated, “I will always be willing to give back what I have been given and I am grateful for the time, I have enjoyed it. Thank you, football. And to all who accompanied me and made me a better player and person along the way.”
With fans of Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all hugely aware of the talents he brought to their teams, he will forever have a special place at the clubs that he played for.
Toni Kroos – A Legendary Midfielder Ends Career after European Championship
Upon the final whistle of Germany’s Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat to Spain, the football world let out a collected sigh as it would be the last time that we would get to see midfielder Toni Kroos play professional football.
One of the greats of the German game, Kroos retires as a Real Madrid legend having helped the club win five Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns. The original midfield quarterback, when it comes to midfielders who can unlock a defence, nobody does it better than Kroos.
With rumours abound that the 34-year-old would sign a one year contract to stay at Real Madrid, the veteran midfielder instead decided that this would be his last season and he would end his career on home soil as he attempted to help Germany win their first European title since 1996.
Ending his final season on top with Madrid, Kroos leaves the game as a winner and the trophies may continue to come even in retirement. Regarded as a contender for the 2024 Ballon d’Or by some of the coolest UK football betting sites, Kroos could be crowned as the best player in the world, ensuring he leaves the game on an all time high. So before it is too late, we advise you to try your hand at soccer betting and win your first money on upcoming soccer events. For example, the World Cup, the final of which will take place already this Sunday.
Luka Modric – Could 2024 Be his Last Season?
Alongside Toni Kroos, Luka Modric has formed the other half of Real Madrid’s dynamic midfield. Having helped both Real Madrid and Croatia scale great heights, it is widely believed that this legendary player will shortly announce his retirement from international football. After losing to Italy in Euro 2024 which saw Croatia crash out of the tournament Modric said, “there will probably be a time I’ll have to hang up my boots.”
Although now not a first choice for Real, Modric seems content for one more year as a backup but it looks highly likely that his time in Madrid will come to an end in 2025.
A Champions League winner with Madrid in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023, Modric has been a pivotal member of numerous Madrid squads and has been the perfect foil for former greats such as Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
A godlike figure in Croatia, whilst he could retire, fans all over Croatia will hope that Modric will continue to play until the 2026 World Cup.
Manuel Neuer – After Falling in the Quarter-final of Euro 2024 Could he Retire?
A German great, many who have been expecting an announcement from Manuel Neuer will have to wait a little longer as it is unknown if the giant goalkeeper could hang up his boots.
The oldest player currently contracted to Bayern, the keeper will want to end on top and after a trophyless season, both he and Bayern simply can’t go two seasons without winning a trophy. He will surely want to put that right.
Able to play at a high level for almost two decades, his crowning achievement for Bayern came back in 2021 when Bayern won the Champions League. Still a key starter for Germany, he would have been gutted that he wasn’t able to help his nation win UEFA Euro 2024 in front of an adoring home support.
Whilst it is likely that Germany’s quarterfinal defeat will be his last international, fans of Bayern will be hoping that Neuer can give the team one last season and every appearance he makes next year is bound to be special.
Leonardo Bonucci – A Legendary Italian Defender Calls Time on a Great Career
Over the decades Italy have been able to produce monumental defenders and one name that is near the top of that list is Leonardo Bonucci. The Italian stalwart will look back in 2024 with regret as moves to both Union Berlin and Fenerbahce failed to work out and after a frustrating season he decided to call time on a legendary career.
Having won numerous Serie A titles with Juventus, Bonucci’s crowning achievement came back in Euro 2020, when he helped lead Italy to Euro glory.
Providing a formidable partnership at the back with Giorgio Chiellini, despite the two being well advanced in age, Bonucci was immense in every game of Italy’s campaign and fittingly scored in the final as Italy went into shock against England.
A giant of the Italian game, he will forever be remembered as a true Italian icon.
Joe Hart – Retires On Ultimate
A product from Manchester City’s academy, Joe Hart will forever be remembered by Manchester City fans thanks to the starring role he played in helping Man City win their first ever Premier League title.
Having made several vital saves in City’s famous comeback against QPR, the image of Hart famously celebrating at full-time will be an image that City fans will forever cherish.
After leaving City, Hart found life tough and ended up spending time at West Ham, Burnley, Torino and Tottenham. For the past three seasons he has spent time with Celtic and ended last year with another SPL title.
Not willing to spend another offseason as a free agent, Hart decided to call time on a career which saw him earn 75 England caps.
Legacies Left Across the Pitch
With all six of our highlighted players looking to move onto their next stage of their lives and careers, it can’t be debated that they have all left a legacy all over the pitch. Each and every one of them has sacrificed their bodies and given everything that they have to contribute towards a great career.
Set to be forever adored by the clubs that they played for, each one of them can leave the game with their heads held high, safe in the knowledge they gave it everything they had.
