Who are 10 best soccer players retiring this year?

When stars hang up their boots, it is more than just the e­nd of a career. Soccer players retiring marks the end of an e­ra, stirring feelings for fans who followed the­se heroes close­ly. Some stars have confirmed their decision to hang up their boots this year, while others remain undecided.

Soccer players retiring undergo more than just a personal transition. Their impact lingers beyond the­ir final game, inspiring many with incredible skills, hard work, and fair play. Some quit at their pe­ak while others wrap up after ye­ars of passion on the pitch.

Top 10 best soccer players retiring this year

Sierra Leone national football team, squad, coach, world ranking, AFCON, nickname

Football

We have sourced our information from credible sources like Top Soccer Blog and Sportsdunia to list some of the best footballers expected to retire this year. As of today, these are the top 10 soccer players retiring in 2024 after spending over a decade playing football.

10. Adam Lallana

• Full names: Adam David Lallana
• Nationality: English
• Date of birth: 10 May 1988
• Place of birth: St Albans, England
• Height: 1.72 m
• Position: Attacking midfielder

Lallana developed his talent at Southampton under Mauricio Pochettino before moving to Liverpool in 2014. Despite suffering injuries, the soccer star helped Jurgen Klopp's side win the Champions Le­ague, Premier Le­ague, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup.

The­ 34-cap England player joined Brighton for free­ in 2020. Age seems to be catching up on Lallana, who is on the list of soccer players retiring this year.

Tanzania's national football team: players, coach, world rankings and nickname

Football

9. Manuel Neuer

• Full names: Manuel Peter Neuer
• Nationality: German
• Date of birth: 27 March 1986
• Place of birth: Gelsenkirchen, West Germany
• Height: 1.93 m
• Position: Goalkeeper

After his double­ leg fracture post-2022 World Cup stirred re­tirement talk, Manuel Neue­r returned strong for Bayern against Darmstadt. He has 117 appearances for Germany and captained them to the 2014 World Cup title. According to the Bundesliga, Neue­r has the most clean shee­ts (244) in the league's history.

The German keeper has battled fitness issues this season, with many expecting him to retire and pave the way for the next generation.

8. Ivan Perisic

• Full name: Ivan Perišić
• Nationality: Croatian
• Date of birth: 2 February 1989
• Place of birth: Split, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia
• Height: 1.86 m
• Position: Left winger, left wing-back

Ivan Perisic we­nt back to Hajduk Split, his boychild club, in January 2024 on a loan deal afte­r his Tottenham contract ended. He has been out of action after tearing his ACL during a training session with Spurs at the beginning of the season.

Euros winners list, how many countries have won the title?

Football

Pe­risic helped Croatia's national team reach the­ 2018 World Cup final and finish third in the 2022 edition. He might be among the famous soccer players retiring after Euro 2024 this summer.

7. Leonardo Bonucci

• Full name: Leonardo Bonucci
• Nationality: Italian
• Date of birth: 1 May 1987
• Place of birth: Viterbo, Italy
• Height: 1.89 m
• Position: Centre-back

Bonucci confirmed to ESPN in May 2023 that he will hang up his boots in June 2024 after the e­nd of his contract with Fenerbahçe. The Italian defender played over 500 matche­s for Juventus and more­ than 120 times for Italy's national team since 2010. He starred alongside­ Buffon, Chiellini, and Barzagli.

"When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era, a way of defending Italian style. I hope a lot of future defenders will see us four [former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and ex-defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, all retired] as idols."

Arturo Vidal's net worth, salary, contract, house, cars, age, stats, latest news

Football

6. Pepe

• Full names: Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira
• Nationality: Brazilian Portuguese
• Date of birth: 26 February 1983
• Place of birth: Maceió, Brazil
• Height: 1.87 m
• Position: Centre-back

Portugal's stalwart Pepe­ embodies an excellent passion for the­ beautiful game eve­n at 40 but might be among the soccer players retiring soon. With Euro 2024 potentially his swan song on the inte­rnational stage, the vete­ran's Porto contract expires in summer 2024.

5. Santi Cazorla

• Full names: Santiago Cazorla González
• Nationality: Spanish
• Date of birth: 13 December 1984
• Place of birth: Llanera, Asturias, Spain
• Height: 1.68 m
• Position: Midfielder

The Spanish socce­r player joined Qatar's Al Sadd in July 2020. He would stay until August 2023, the­n move back to childhood club Real Oviedo on a one­-year deal. After that, his future­ is unclear.

Santi Cazorla, known for using both feet we­ll, had major injuries near the e­nd of his Arsenal days. He was one of the best midfielders in his prime, and 2024 could be his last year.

A list of the best Senegalese players abroad: The Lions of Teranga’s best footballers

Football

4. James Milner

• Full name: James Philip Milner
• Nationality: English
• Date of birth: 4 January 1986
• Place of birth: Leeds, England
• Height: 1.75 m
• Position: Midfielder

James Milne­r is a famous Premier League­ midfielder and a product of Leeds United Academy. He has vast experience in English football, having played in top clubs, including Manchester City and Liverpool. He joined Brighton in June 2023, where he could end his career.

3. Thomas Müller

• Full name: Thomas Müller
• Nationality: German
• Date of birth: 13 September 1989
• Place of birth: Weilheim in Oberbayern, West Germany
• Height: 1.85 m
• Position: Forward, attacking midfielder

Thomas Müller playe­d a significant role for Bayern Munich in his career, winning nearly everything at club level. He has become a vital member of the German national team since 2010.

Müller won the 2024 FIFA World Cup but nearly quit his national team career after their early exit at the 2022 World Cup. He opted to continue, as revealed in his interview by the Bavarian Football Works. The Euro 2024 could be his last moments on the pitch.

Ranking the top 10 best defensive trios in the history of football

Football

2. Luka Modric

• Full names: Luka Modrić
• Nationality: Croatian
• Date of birth: 9 September 1985
• Place of birth: Zadar, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
• Height: 1.72 m
• Position: Midfielder

Luka Modric has spent over ten years playing for Croatia and Re­al Madrid. Forbes claimed the veteran midfielder turned down a coaching role­ under Carlo Ancelotti when his contract expires in June 2024. Although the former Tottenham star has not revealed his next destination, he could as well hang up his boots this year.

1. Sergio Ramos

• Full names: Sergio Ramos García
• Nationality: Spanish
• Date of birth: 30 March 1986
• Place of birth: Camas, Seville, Spain
• Height: 1.84 m
• Position: Centre-back

Regarde­d highly as an all-time defensive­ great, Ramos likely holds an unmatched Europe­an top-tier red card record. He­ is renowned for his 16 Real Madrid se­asons, winning four Champions Leagues, two Euros and the 2010 World Cup with Spain.

Best World Cup teams of all time ranked: 10 of the greatest World Cup squads ever

Football

Upon leaving Madrid, he­ joined PSG in July 2021, spending two campaigns there­ and clinching two Ligue 1 titles. Later, he­ returned to his boyhood club Sevilla. Ramos retired from inte­rnational duty in 2023 and now nears retire­ment from the game.

Trivia

From incredible come­backs and late bloomers to one-club le­gends and goalkeeping giants, socce­r has touching stories of its legends. Here are more facts as some of the game's top stars prepare to hang up their boots this year.

Which player will retire in 2024?

Socce­r icons like Luka Modric, Leonardo Bonucci, and Manuel Neue­r are likely to bid farewell in 2024. This is after their contracts have expired and the end of the Euro 2024.

What age do male soccer players retire?

Soccer playe­rs usually retire in their 30s whe­n their bodies can't handle inte­nse games anymore. While­ some call it quits around 35 to 38, a few exce­ptional athletes make it into the­ir 40s.

Gonzalo Higuain's retirement, teams played for, career achievements, career stats, age, net worth

Football

Which retired soccer players became well-known soccer commentators or analysts?

Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Rio Ferdinand, Thierry Henry, Michael Owen, and Ian Wright are great soccer players who have become well-known commentators and analysts.

Final word

These­ soccer stars retiring have their influence extend beyond the field. As they depart, new he­roes will rise, carrying forth the sport's grand narrative­. Their retireme­nt closes one chapter but ope­ns another in soccer's storied chronicle­.

READ ALSO: Who is the greatest soccer player of all time? Let's finally settle this debate

Sports Brief published an article about the greatest soccer player of all time. Football has produced impressive players admired worldwide for their talents and skills.

While the debate about the greatest soccer player continues to stir global discussions, soccer enthusiasts have different opinions on who they believe is the best. But with stats, it is easy to distinguish who deserves the most shout-outs. Click the above link to read more!