While the careers of footballers are typically shorter compared to athletes in other sports, some have been forced to retire prematurely due to varying degrees of injuries.
While certain players have been fortunate to enjoy a relatively injury-free career, others have faced less favorable circumstances.
Here, we highlight five top footballers who had to retire because of injuries:
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1. Sergio Aguero:
Aguero, among the top strikers of his generation, played a crucial role in Manchester City’s success before joining Barcelona in 2021. Unfortunately, a heart ailment compelled him to retire just a few months later, adding to the injury challenges he had faced throughout his career.
2. Jack Wilshere:
Retiring at barely thirty, Wilshere, a product of the Arsenal academy, spent much of his career sidelined by injuries. Despite his struggles, he delivered a memorable performance against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League, contributing to Arsenal’s 2-1 victory.
3. Marco Van Basten:
An ankle injury kept the renowned Dutch footballer out of play for two years, leading to his retirement in 1995 at the age of 28. Van Basten played a pivotal role in AC Milan’s three Serie A championship victories and guided the Netherlands to victory in the 1988 European Championship.
4. Owen Hargreaves:
Hargreaves, known for his time at Bayern Munich and Manchester United, achieved success with a Premier League and Champions League double in 2007-08. However, a knee injury forced him to retire in 2012 after contributing significantly to Bayern Munich’s Champions League triumph in 2011.
5. Ronaldo:
Ronaldo Nazario, one of the greatest football players, led Brazil to FIFA World Cup victory in 2002. Despite winning two Ballon d’Or awards for stellar performances with Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, persistent knee problems hindered his career. Ronaldo retired at the age of 34 in 2011, leaving fans to wonder what more he could have achieved without the constraints of injuries.