Liverpool FC defender Joel Matip has confirmed his plans to retire from professional football following the conclusion of his contract with the club this summer.
The announcement, made via a post on Fabrizio Romano’s X handle, comes after a challenging period for the 33-year-old Cameroonian, who has been sidelined for most of the 2023 season due to a severe injury.
Matip’s injury not only impacted his playing time but also meant he was unable to contribute to Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour, as the manager stepped down after a successful tenure with the club.
With the expiration of his contract, Matip was one of 11 players permitted to leave Liverpool, but he remains the only one without a clear path forward.
As other teammates, including Thiago and Adrian, have already secured moves to new clubs, Matip has been considering his options before making the final decision on his future.
The defender began his professional career at Schalke 04 in 2009, where he made a significant impact, totalling 258 competitive appearances and scoring 23 goals. During his time with Schalke, he helped the team secure the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup titles in 2011.
Matip joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2016, where he achieved notable success, including winning the UEFA Champions League in 2019, starting in the final match. He also added the UEFA Super Cup and the Premier League title from the 2019–20 season to his impressive list of honours.
As Matip prepares to close this chapter of his career, fans and fellow players alike reflect on his contributions to both Liverpool and international football, celebrating a career marked by resilience and achievement.
