After some time on the field, athletes realize that their bodies can no longer support their playing careers.
Every football player, including Messi and Ronaldo, know that a time will come when they will have to hang their playing boots.
Team Kenya has taken a look at five noteworthy players who have decided to retire from football this year.
Also Read: Barcelona Legend Gerard Pique Retires at 35 Yrs
Gerard Pique
Gerard Piqué announced his retirement from football, on November 4, 2022, through a heartfelt video posted on his social media.
The former Barcelona defender chose to hang his boots at the age of 35 after a legendary career at both club and country.
Pique featured for his national side on 102 occasions and was a key part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning side, starting all seven games in the tournament.
The 35-year-old has also featured in the English Premier League where won the League Cup, Premier League, and Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson but made only 23 appearances.
In Spain Pique has won three La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys, plus two Champions League titles, two European Super Cup wins and victory in two Club World Cups.
Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain announced his retirement from professional football on Monday, October 3, 2022, while playing for Inter Miami CF in America.
The former Argentina international forward concluded his 17-year career having played for some of the world's biggest clubs including Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan, and Chelsea.
While in Real Madrid he scored 121 goals in 264 appearances in all competitions. He also lifted three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey title.
During his final season with Juventus, he helped the team win a third Serie A title.
Jack Wilshere
The former Arsenal midfielder announced his retirement on July 8, 2022, at 30 years, having featured in 197 games for the Gunners between 2008 and 2016.
An Arsenal Academy product, Wilshere became the club’s youngest-ever league player after making his debut against Blackburn Rovers in 2008, aged 1 and 25 days.
He then went on to score 14 for Arsenal and won back-to-back FA Cups in 2013 and 2014.
Wilshere also featured for England on 34 occasions scoring one goal and has also played for other Premier League sides, including Bournemouth and West Ham United.
John Obi Mikel
John Obi-Mikel announced his retirement from professional football on September 27, 2022, after a successful eighteen-year career.
He spent eleven years at Stamford Bridge from 2006 to 2017 winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, a Champions League, and a Europa League with Chelsea.
Mikel scored six goals throughout his time at Chelsea.
After leaving Chelsea, the former Nigerian international had short spells at Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough, Trabzonspor, Stoke City, and Kuwait SC.
With Nigeria Mikel featured in 91 caps scoring 6 goals and was a part of the Nigeria team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
He also featured for Nigeria at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Also Read: John Obi Mikel Retires From Professional Football