The last of them is Varane.. 9 players who retired from football in 2024

Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and France defender Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from football, joining the list of stars who will bid farewell to the stadiums in 2024.

These players have graced the football fields of the major European leagues for several years.

The list includes a number of former stars who played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

Here is a list of 9 players who have decided to end their careers in 2024:

9. French Raphael Varane

Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and France defender Varane will retire from playing on September 25, 2024, at the age of 31.

Varane joined Italian club Como on a free transfer in July but suffered a knee injury on his debut against Sampdoria last month.

8. Chilean Claudio Bravo

The former Barcelona, Manchester City and Chile goalkeeper has announced his retirement in August 2024 at the age of 41.

7- English Phil Jones

Jones said he is targeting a job in management after officially announcing his retirement from playing in August 2024.

The 32-year-old has not played since leaving Manchester United at the end of the 2022-23 season, with his last appearance coming 12 months ago against Brentford.

Jones, who has won 27 caps for England, joined United from Blackburn in 2011 but has struggled with injuries throughout his career.

6. Portuguese Pepe

After a long football career spanning more than 20 years that saw him win three Champions League titles with Real Madrid, the European Championship with Portugal and countless other titles, Pepe has finally hung up his boots at the age of 41.

The Portuguese left a legacy as a tough and powerful defender, and was a nightmare for any attacker who dared try to get past him.

5. Spain's Thiago Alcantara

Thiago announced his retirement in July 2024 after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season.

The 33-year-old midfielder has struggled with injury problems during his time on Merseyside but remains an unrivalled player in football. He has played for Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Spanish national team.

4. German Toni Kroos

One of the greatest midfielders of his generation, if not of all time, has retired from playing after Germany's quarter-final defeat to Spain at the European Championship.

Kroos won La Liga and the Champions League during his final season at Real Madrid, but unfortunately he did not achieve success on home soil at Euro 2024.

3. English Ryan Bertrand

Former Chelsea, Southampton and England left-back Bertrand has announced his retirement from football in June 2024 at the age of 34.

2. English Joe Hart

The England and Manchester City goalkeeper announced his retirement from the game at the end of last season after a three-year spell at Celtic at the age of 37.

1. Belgian Marouane Fellaini

The Belgian announced the end of his career in February this year, saying simply, "I am very grateful to have played the sport I love at the highest level."

Source: Al Jazeera