Harry Kewell
In March the Australian forward called it a day at Melbourne Heart. The 36-year-old made over 250 Premier League appearances for Leeds United and Liverpool before being named as Australia’s greatest ever footballer in 2012.
Juninho Pernambucano
You have to go all the way back to January for the retirement of the world’s greatest ever free-kick taker. Juninho left the stage at the grand old age of 39 after finishing his career with his first ever club, Vasco da Gama. The former Lyon man will go down in history as scoring free-kicks from outrageous distances and getting the ball to move in ways that a football shouldn’t really move. It’s Christmas so take six minutes and 48 seconds out of your day to watch 75 of them below. The one at 2.48 has to be at least 45 yards out. It’s even got Children by Robert Miles in the background. A real Monday treat.
Javier Zanetti
An Internazionale stalwart and one of the best full-backs football has ever seen, Zanetti retired at the age of 40 after a 22 year playing career, 20 of which were spent in Milan. ‘Il Capitano’ played 615 times for Inter winning five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italias, four Supercopa Italianas, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup along the way.
Brett Emerton
The former Blackburn Rovers star retired in January after an eight year spell in England as well as time at Feyenoord and Sydney FC. The man famed for playing in almost every position for Blackburn won 95 caps for Australia, including appearances at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Ryan Giggs
What can be said about the most decorated player in English football history? The truth is, a lot can but this is not the article for it. It’s difficult to sum up the magic of Ryan Giggs in any amount of words, never mind a short paragraph here. 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions Leagues, nine Community Shields, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup and a whopping 30 individual awards barely sums up the 41-year-old Welsh Wizard’s 24 year career at Manchester United. The closest that can be got to summing up the ability of the man in one goal can be seen below. An incredible athlete, an incredible footballer with an incredible career to match — there will never be another Ryan Giggs.
Puyol
After 15 years at Barcelona Carlos Puyol left the game of football at the end of last season. It was a bit of a sad end for the 36-year-old as a knee injury meant he couldn’t get the send-off he deserved but he will still be remembered as one of Barcelona’s greatest ever players. Puyol won 21 trophies in his time at Barcelona, including six Primera Division titles and three Champions League trophies.
Craig Bellamy
The Welshman quit the game in May after fulfilling a boyhood dream of representing hometown club Cardiff City at the end of a career that was plagued with injuries. The 35-year-old striker represented a total of nine clubs in an 18 year career. Bellamy was named Welsh Player of the Year in 2007 and was chosen for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award in 2002.
Wayne Bridge
The 33-year-old defender retired in May after an injury-plagued season at Reading. A long-time deputy England left-back to Ashley Cole, Bridge quit the international scene in 2010 after allegations involving his former girlfriend and England team mate John Terry. Bridge won a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup during his most successful spell with Chelsea.
Rivaldo
Brazilian legend Rivaldo retired at the age of 41 after a spell with Mogi Mirim in his native country. His retirement was not before he made history by lining up alongside his son, Rivaldinho. During a 23 year career Rivaldo played for 14 clubs, winning the Ballon d’Or and the 2002 World Cup along the way. One of his finest moments was an 88th minute overhead against Valencia on the final day of the 2000/01 season, clinching a hat-trick and ensuring Barcelona would make it into the Champions League the following year.
Park Ji-Sung
The Manchester United midfield engine-man left the game this year at the age of 33 after a career plagued with knee injuries. The South Korean won four Premier League titles, three League Cups, one UEFA Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup in his 205 appearances for United. He finished his career a QPR player but spent his last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven.
Ali Karimi
The 35-year-old former Bayern Munich striker retired from football for the second time this year having previously done so in 2012 before returning to play for Tractor Sazi in the Iran Pro League. A legend of Iranian football, he made 127 appearances for his country, scoring 38 goals along the way. He was partial to the odd moment of madness however — he was once banned from all footballing activities for a whole year for kicking a referee during a youth tournament in Vietnam. He featured for Iran in 2001 when Ireland won out over two legs to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. Below is a video of that play-off that’s been uploaded by an Ali Karimi super fan who has apparently uploaded every video ever featuring the Iranian legend. Enjoy.
Nuno Gomes
37-year-old Nuno Gomes bowed off the footballing stage earlier this year having been without a club since departing Blackburn Rovers in June 2013. During two spells at Portuguese giants Benfica Gomes scored 166 goals and won seven trophies, including two Primeira Liga titles. He has since returned to Benfica as an advisor to the president for international matters.
William Gallas
With a career that spanned 20 years and saw him represent all three of London’s top clubs William Gallas will be remembered as a Premier League stalwart. He also won 84 international caps for France that included scoring that goal against Ireland in 2009 after Thierry Henry’s handball.
Thierry Henry
One of the greatest strikers ever to play the game Henry retired just this month. Henry played for five clubs, most notable Arsenal where he is the club’s record all-time goalscorer. He is also the record all-time goalscorer for France and won both a World Cup and a European Championship with his country. He once did something controversial against Ireland as well…
Eric Abidal
Completing the list is another Frenchman who played his last game on Saturday. The former Barcelona defender lined out for the last time for Olympiakos at the weekend. He will always be remembered for his inspirational feat of returning to the game after a liver transplant in 2012.
