Aguero To Wayne Rooney: World Footballers Retiring In 2021

JAKARTA - The career of a football player is indeed relatively short compared to other jobs. The average player usually retires at the age of 35.

Even so, there are players who retire early under 35 years due to injury or no club is willing to offer a new contract. However, not a few players are still playing at old age even up to 40 years and over.

Every year there are always football players who retire, and 2021 is no exception. Here are five famous players who decided to hang up their boots this year:

1. Sergio Aguero

Argentina and Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero was forced to retire at the age of 33 due to heart disease and after being advised by doctors not to engage in strenuous physical activity.

Aguero will go down in history as one of the best strikers of his generation and arguably the greatest player in the history of Manchester City. He has scored 260 goals for the club and is their all-time leading goalscorer.

Aguero's international career has also been quite good with the Argentina national team, scoring more than 100 games and scoring 41 goals. Before retiring, Aguero managed to help his country end a 28-year title drought after winning the 2021 Copa America.

2. Arjen Robben

Considered one of the best wingers in the world, Arjen Robben announced his retirement from football in July 2021 after returning to the club where he started his career namely Groningen in the 2020-21 season.

The 37-year-old played for a number of top clubs during his career, but the highlight of his career was at Bayern Munich. With the German club, Robben made 309 appearances in 10 years and helped win eight Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League.

Robben also made 96 appearances for the Dutch national team and his best achievement was taking them to the 2010 World Cup final before being beaten by Spain.

3. Wayne Rooney

England and Manchester United's top goalscorer, Wayne Rooney decided to retire in January 2021 after being appointed coach of second division English club Derby County.

Rooney's name became known in the world of football while playing for United, leading them to several trophies between 2004 and 2017 and establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the English Premier League.

4. Sami Khedira

This versatile midfielder rarely gets the praise he deserves for his performances on the pitch, but the 34-year-old has often been an important part of Real Madrid and Juventus squads throughout his career.

He also became one of the important players when the German national team won the 2014 World Cup. Hertha Berlin became Khedira's last club before hanging up his boots at the end of the 2020-21 season.

5. Mario Mandzukic

Another player who often rarely gets praise during his career is Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian striker has performed consistently for Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus.

The 35-year-old was also part of the Croatian national team which reached the 2018 World Cup final, with the striker winning trophies in a number of different leagues.

The last club that Mandzukic played for was AC Milan. He has made 582 appearances and scored 228 goals throughout his career.