A best XI of footballers who have retired in 2024 | OneFootball

Celebrations will shortly begin as people across the world welcome in a new year. It’s been another memorable 12 months in the football world and in 2024 we’ve said goodbye to some greats of the game.

Several stars have hung up their boots for the final time, after illustrious careers at the top of the sport.

We’ve selected the best XI of players who have retired in 2024.

A best XI of footballers who have retired in 2024

Goalkeeper: Claudio Bravo

Claudio Bravo hung up the gloves for the last time in 2024, calling time on a decorated career at the age of 41. The third-most capped player in the history of the Chile national team, he captained his nation to a maiden Copa America title in 2015 before defending their crown the following year, beating Argentina on penalties on each occasion.

At club level, he spent the bulk of his career in Spain with spells at Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Real Betis. His debut season with Barcelona ended in treble success, while he also won five trophies during a four-season spell in England at Manchester City.

Right-back: Jesus Navas

Jesus Navas, the most decorated player in Sevilla and Spain’s history, will officially retire on December 31 when his contract expires. The Sevilla captain made his debut for his hometown team in 2003 and won four Europa League titles across two spells with the Andalusians. Sandwiched between was a spell at Manchester City where he lifted the Premier League and two League Cups.

In addition, he formed part of Spain’s victories at the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012 and Euro 2024. He has called time on his career midway through the current campaign having been plagued by a persistent hip problem.

Centre-back: Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane walked away from football after sustaining a knee injury just minutes into his debut for new side Como. The Frenchman struggled with fitness issues in recent campaigns and has called time on his career at 31.

He made 480 club appearances across a career that saw him win the Champions League four times with Real Madrid, having signed for the Spaniards from Lens as a teenager. He also won 93 caps for France and lifted the 2018 World Cup with Les Bleus.

Centre-back: Leonardo Bonucci

Leonardo Bonucci retired at the age of 37, after a short spell at Fenerbahce. Best remembered for his time at Juventus, Bonucci won 19 trophies with the Old Lady including five Serie A titles. He formed an iconic partnership with Giorgio Chiellini for club and country, with the defensive duo the foundation of Italy’s success at Euro 2020.

Bonucci also had spells at AC Milan, Treviso, Pisa, Bari, and Union Berlin during a distinguished career.

Centre-back: Pepe

Everyone’s favourite pantomime villain, Pepe finally gave up hounding opposition forwards in 2024. The Portuguese defender spent two decades at the top of the game, rising to prominence at Porto before a trophy-laden spell with Real Madrid. He won three La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies with Los Blancos, while also enjoying success with the national team.

Pepe was named in the European Championship Team of the Tournament in 2008, 2012 and 2016, winning the latter tournament as Portugal secured their first-ever silverware. He also helped the side to the inaugural Nations League title in 2019 and became the oldest player in Euros history last summer, at 41.

Left-back: Ryan Bertrand

Ryan Bertrand retired in the summer after a career that delivered three major trophies and 19 England caps. Incredibly, the left-back’s Champions League debut came in the 2012 final as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to win the trophy for the first time.

Bertrand has transitioned into player agency and represents Chelsea’s Armando Broja and Levi Colwill. He has announced a determination to explore the African market for new talent.

Midfield: Thiago

Thiago Alcântara announced his retirement from football at the age of 33 earlier this year, having endured constant injuries in recent years. At his best, the Spaniard was a magnificent talent. A footballer’s footballer, he won 11 league titles, a host of domestic cups and two Champions League trophies during spells with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Outrageously gifted, he formed part of a golden generation of Spanish midfielders.

Midfield: Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos decided to depart football at the top of his game, officially retiring following Germany’s exit at Euro 2024. He had made the decision to leave football despite being an integral part of Real Madrid’s success last season, which included a La Liga and Champions League double.

The midfield metronome won seven league titles with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, alongside a record six Champions League winner’s medals.

Germany teammate Joshua Kimmich stated his belief that Kroos might just be his country’s greatest-ever player.

“Am I wrong or is he the greatest player we have? No one was so successful, no doubt.”

Right-wing: Nani

A born entertainer, Nani lit up several leagues worldwide during a long career.

Manchester United snapped up the Sporting Lisbon starlet in 2007 and the winger helped the Red Devils to four Premier League titles, a FIFA Club World Cup, and a Champions League triumph.

He embarked on a nomadic career post-Old Trafford, taking in spells with Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, Adana Demirspor, and Estrela Amadora. With Portugal, only four players have won more than his 112 caps with Nani a part of the side that won Euro 2016.

Left-wing: Andres Iniesta

Football said farewell to one of the all-time greats in October. Andres Iniesta retired from playing at the age of 40.

An irreplaceable part of a golden era for Spain and Barcelona, his midfield partnership with Xavi and Sergio Busquets is perhaps the finest the sport has seen. He won 35 trophies with Barcelona and earned 131 caps for his country, scoring the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final and winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

A genius with the ball at his feet, Iniesta is the only player to have earned man-of-the-match awards in the final of the World Cup, Champions League and European Championship.

Forward: Marouane Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini fills in as our auxiliary forward having spent two decades being a nuisance in opposition penalty boxes. The big Belgian emerged at Standard Liege before he made his name during spells in England with Everton and Manchester United.

After six seasons and four trophies with the latter, he spent four lucrative seasons in China with Shandong Taishan before retirement. Part of Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’, he won 87 caps and scored 18 goals for the national team.

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