Liverpool icon Joel Matip has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33, just months after leaving the Reds at the end of his contract
Joel Matip has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33 (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ex-Liverpool star Joel Matip has dropped a bombshell as he hangs up his boots just months after bidding farewell to the club.
The towering ex-Reds defender, who scooped up a Premier League title, Champions League glory, FA Cup, a couple of League Cups, not to mention the Club World Cup and Super Cup over an impressive eight seasons, now reckons it's time to call it quits on his football journey.
Last December saw Matip sidelined with a nightmare ACL injury during a nail-biting 4-3 victory against Fulham, though he's been soldiering on through recovery after a successful stint under the knife. Even with the talk of a possible comeback alongside fellow former Kop star, Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, the 33 year old has put an end to his time on the pitch.
Matip also turned out 27 times for Cameroon and bowed out of international action in 2016 after smashing it at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, reports the Mirror.
Liverpool penned a heartfelt message on the club's official website: "Everybody at LFC wishes Joel and his family the very best for the future."
He's not alone in sliding into retirement from Liverpool this summer with midfield genius Thiago Alcantara also hanging up his boots after an injury-plagued few years.
Klopp paid tribute to Matip and his contribution to Liverpool's success under his stewardship back in May, stating: "In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip. I'm not even sure it would be possible to say anything bad about him.
"A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being we have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have and now all we can do is wish him well as he heads off in a new direction.
"Joel's qualities as a player are there for all to see and as a club, we have benefited from them since the first moment that he joined. I don't think he has had too many headlines over the years but he has only ever been a very famous figure within our group.
"I have said before that if there was one person who wouldn't care if he was underrated it would be Joel, but the truth is we could not have rated him more highly. Not only has he set the standards for himself, he has set them for others and this is one of the main reasons why his time here has been so successful."
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The German midfielder is expected to complete a stunning £116million move to England from Bayer Leverkusen.Aaliyah has been hailed as the 'prettiest woman'The midfielder is expected to join Liverpool in a record transferShe stunned in a Germany shirt at the Euros last summerWirtz, 22, is expected to add more excitement to the pitch at Anfield next season, while his partner Aaliyah will be add...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal hold meeting with Viktor Gyokeres' agent Liverpool Now "They only brag about their UCLs" lol Joshua couldn't keep up the pressure Senegoal? ThisPlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC)...
Liverpool seal record Wirtz dealLiverpool have secured a deal to sign Florian Wirtz for a British record €150m fee.Fabrizio Romano reports that the German will now head to Merseyside for a medical as he closes in on a move from Bayer Leverkusen.Gittens named in Dortmund squadJamie Gittens has been named in Borussia Dortmund's squad for the Club World Cup, after a move to Chelsea fell through...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 6 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 9 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign
- 10 Baldanzi scores winner as Italy beat Romania to start U21 Euros