Kroos, Bonucci and Other Footballers Who Have Retired in 2024 After Thiago Alcantara

• Spain star, Thiago Alcantara, will reportedly announce his decision to retire from professional football this week
• Alcantara left Liverpool at the end of last season after his contract expired, having recently dealt with injuries
• The midfielder will join other footballers in retirement, including Germany and Real Madrid legend, Toni Kroos

Spanish midfielder, Thiago Alcantara, will reportedly announce his decision to retire from professional football this week after leaving Liverpool last season following the expiration of his contract.

The former Bayern Munich star dealt with recurring injuries in his final year and could hardly play a part in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at the Merseyside club.

Sports Brief looks at other footballers who have announced their retirement this year, as first listed by Planet Football.

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Footballers who have retired in 2024

1. Toni Kroos

Germany and Real Madrid legend, Kroos, announced in April that he will hang up his boots after the 2024 European Championship. He played his last game in Germany’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the quarter-final. He won all the trophies possible except the Euros.

2. Leonardo Bonucci

One of the greatest Italian defenders of all time, Bonucci retired from football in May after ending his adventure with Turkish club, Fenerbahce. He won nine Serie A titles between Juventus and AC Milan. He was part of Italy's Euro 2020 winning squad.

3. Ryan Bertrand

Bertrand made his UEFA Champions League debut in the 2012 final, which Chelsea won. There were high hopes for him, but he failed to live up to the billing. He left Leicester City after they were relegated in 2023 and announced his retirement a year later live on Sky Sports.

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4. Joe Hart

Hart was famous for his time at Manchester City, where he was England’s number one and won two league titles. Pep Guardiola ended his time at the club. He had spells at Torino, West Ham United, Burnley, and Tottenham Hotspur before rediscovering himself at Celtic. He retired at the end of last season and got those weird tattoos.

5. Marouane Fellaini

The Belgian midfielder retired in February after leaving the Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan. He spent time at Standard Liege, Everton, and Manchester United and won 87 caps for the Belgian Red Devils.

Jose Mourinho pays homage to Fellaini

Sports Brief reported on Jose Mourinho paying homage to Fellaini after the Belgian midfielder dynamo announced his professional retirement at 36.

The pair worked together at Manchester United, and the manager applauded him as one of the players who gave him everything they could give.