How Nigerians Remember Matuidi After World Cup Winner Retires

• Blaise Matuidi announced his retirement from football yesterday at the age of 35 after a year without a club
• Congratulatory messages came from across the World for the 2018 World Cup winner
• Nigerians however remember him for injuring Ogenyi Onazi at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Former France international Blaise Matuidi announced his retirement from professional football after a decorated career which spanned five clubs and 18 years, majority of which was spent in his home country of France.

Matuidi has been without a club since being left off the roster of MLS club Inter Miami in January 2022. It remains unclear whether he received no further offers or turned them down. He has now retired at the age of 35.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner won 21 major club honours including four Ligue 1 titles and three Serie A titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. He also won 84 caps for France since he made his debut in 2010.

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He will not be remembered for good by fans of three times African champions, Nigeria for his role in the country's elimination at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he horribly injured midfielder Ogenyi Onazi.

How Nigerians remember Matuidi

Nigeria stood up to France in the round of 16 tie at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, keeping the scores levelled till the 79th minute. Nigeria had however collapsed in the game in the 56th minute when Matuidi injured Onazi.

The former Lazio midfielder was Nigeria's engine in midfield alongside Mikel Obi. On Matuidi's retirement announcement, the most populous African nation brought back their sad memories of the former Juventus midfielder.

We looked at some of Nigeria's view of Matuidi from past and present on social media;

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Pinnick laments Nigeria's World Cup miss

Sports Brief earlier reported that former NFF President Amaju Pinnick expressed sadness over Nigeria's absence at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria missed out on the mundial after the away goals rule eliminated the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana qualified instead.

Pinnick, who was in Qatar throughout the tournament as a FIFA Council member expressed unhappiness over his country's absence.