Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip has retired from playing football at the age of 33, three months after departing the Merseyside Reds.
The centre-back departed Anfield following the expiration of his contract at the club and has now quit playing football after staying unemployed for three months.
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Matip’s career in Liverpool
Matip spent eight illustrous years at Anfield after joining Liverpool in 2016.
He played 201 games for the team, forming a strong alliance with Virgil van Dijk.
Matip was a key player in helping Jurgen Klopp’s team to six titles, including the FA Cup, Champions League, and Premier League.
Following an ACL injury, his final game was a 4-3 victory against Fulham in December 2023.
Matip did not sign with a new team during the summer, despite reports linking him with Bournemouth and West Ham.
The former star of Schalke has finally made the decision to hang his boots.
Liverpool bade the Cameroonian farewell in a statement quoted by SunSports which reads, “Everybody wishes Joel and his family the very best for the future.”
Matip’s retirement at 33 joins a growing list of players who have retired relatively early.
A recent Sports Buddy article highlighted several players who retired before the age of 35, including the French defender Raphael Varane.
